ABC Vitamins Life recommends natural remedies for Breast health and symptoms of Fibrocystic Breast.

Taking Vitamin E has been advised to alleviate symptoms of fibrocystic breasts for the last 40 years. Vitamin E has been known to correct pathological imbalance between estrogen and progesterone in patients with breast cysts.

In one study, patients with confirmed fibrocystic breasts were given 600 International Units (IU) of vitamin E for 8 weeks. Eighty-five percent of the participants improved. They practically went into remission from the symptoms of breast cysts.

Evening Primrose oil has been shown to be helpful for the symptoms of fibrocystic breasts in at least two scientific studies. The tenderness and pain related to fibrocystic breasts was decreased when participants took 3 grams a day of Evening Primrose oil for a period of 3 to 6 months. Statistically significant results have been achieved in relation to alleviating the symptoms of pain and breast tenderness.

Interesting enough, it has been noticed that the intensity of the breast pain was inversely related to the blood level of the Linolenic acid. Linolenic acid is present in Evening Primrose oil and Borage oil. Linolenic acid is one of the key fatty acids that is needed for the physiologic production of prostaglandins. When the participants had been receiving Evening Primrose oil, their blood concentration of Linolenic acid increased. At the same time, the saturated (bad) fat concentration dropped. These findings are promising in respect to breast cyst prevention and total breast health support. Borage oil has a high content of Linolenic acid. It works similar to Evening Primrose oil and modulates prostaglandins inflammatory response. Evening Primrose oil or Borage oil may take a few weeks to decrease the symptoms of breast pain.

Indole-3-carbinol (also called indole-3-glucosinolate) belongs to the biochemical group called Glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are mostly found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Indole-3-carbinol works in a number of ways including taking part in inactivating estrogen. This action scavenges free radicals and suppresses cancer cell multiplication. Enzymes that help deactivate bad estrogen are liberated by indole-3-carbinol while the type of estrogen that is related to the development of breast cancer is not. Broccoli and cabbage stimulate the production of enzymes that deactivate cancer producing enzymes.

Studies have shown that taking Folic Acid along with Vitamin E helps relieve symptoms of breast cysts. Folic Acid is plentiful in green vegetables, but is frequently lacking in the typical Western diet.Since the combination of those vitamins in the physiological doses is extremely safe, any women suffering from fibrocystic breast symptoms should strongly consider taking Folic Acid and Vitamin E.

When taken every day, Vitamin C may lessen the pain from fibrocystic breast. The recommended dose of the Vitamin C is 1500 mg a day. In order to avoid upset stomach, one should start with 500 mg a day for the first week. On the second week, one should increase to 1000 mg a day. Finally, on the third week, one should increase to 1500 mg a day. One may expect lessening of the breast cyst pain in about 1-2 months after starting the Vitamin C supplementation.

References:

Vobecky, Josef, et al. "Nutritional Profile of Women With Fibrocystic Breast Disease." International Journal of Epidemiology 1993: 22(6).

Wu C, Ray RM, et al. "A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Fibrocystic Breast Conditions: Shanghai Nutrition and Breast Disease Study, China, 1995-2000," Am J Epidemiol 2004:160(10):945-960. (Address: Dr. David B. Thomas, E-mail: dbthomas@fhcrc.org)

Rose DP, et al. "Low Fat Diet in Fibrocystic Disease of the Breast With Cyclical Mastalgia: A Feasibility Study," Am J Clin Nutr 1985:41:4-6(Abstract):856.

London RS, et al. "Mammary Dysplasia: Endocrine Parameters and Tocopherol Therapy," Nutr Res 1982:2:243-247.

Michnovicz, Jon J., et al. "Changes in Levels of Urinary Estrogen Metabolites After Oral Indole-3-Carbinol Treatment in Humans," Journal of the National Cancer Institute May 21, 1997:89(10):718-723.

Kall, Morten A., et al. "Effects of Dietary Broccoli on Human Drug Metabolizing Activity," Cancer Letters 1997:114:169-170.

Vobecky, Josef, et al. "Nutritional Profile of Women With Fibrocystic Breast Disease," International Journal of Epidemiology 1993:22(6).