Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibrocystic breast disease is most common in women aged from 30 to 50. Symptoms are tender breasts containing lumps and benign cysts. These may be mildly uncomfortable to severely painful. It may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
May be due to imbalances in female sex hormones, specifically an increase in the estrogen to progesterone ratio. Prolactin, the milk release hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, may also play a role.
A diet high in fiber and unrefined foods, and low in saturated fat and salt, plays a role in reducing the symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease. Regular consumption of oily fish, which contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, may also be useful. Caffeine, theophylline and theobromine; which are found in coffee, tea, cola and chocolate; may play a role in stimulating overproduction of fibrous tissue and cyst fluid, and should be avoided. Obesity may also exacerbate fibrocystic breast disease.
Vitamins, minerals and fibrocystic breast diseaseVitamin A
In a 1984 study, 12 twelve patients with benign breast disease were treated with daily doses of 150,000 IU of vitamin A. After three months of treatment, nine of the women experienced marked pain reduction and five patients had at least a 50 per cent decrease in the size of their breast lumps. The lessening of breast pain was still evident eight months after the study ended. However, vitamin A in high doses can cause toxic symptoms, and several women in this study had severe headaches during treatment, while several other women had milder side effects.
Vitamin E
Some research suggests that vitamin E levels may be lower in fibrocystic breast disease sufferers. In a 1985 double-blind, randomized dose-response study, 75 women with benign breast disease were treated for two months with placebo or vitamin E in doses of 150, 300, or 600 IU per day. The results showed that vitamin E was significantly more effective than placebo.
In a 1981 study, 17 young women with fibrocystic breast disease and six age-matched controls were treated with vitamin E for four months. Blood samples collected at monthly intervals were analyzed for various hormone and blood fat levels. Fifteen patients showed improvements in symptoms and laboratory measurements showed normalization of abnormal hormone and lipid levels in the patients. Other studies also suggest that vitamin E supplements may correct the hormonal imbalances seen in fibrocystic breast disease patients. However, not all studies have shown beneficial effects.
Iodine
Iodine deficiency may play a role in fibrocystic breast disease, possibly by increasing the susceptibility of the tissue to estrogen stimulation. Some studies have shown that iodine treatment can relieve the symptoms, although the forms of iodine used in the studies are not available commercially.
Essential fatty acids
Fatty acid profiles may be abnormal in women with fibrocystic breast disease. Treatment with essential fatty acids may help to normalize this. Some studies have looked at the beneficial effects of evening primrose oil on fibrocystic breast disease. Evening primrose contains the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which has beneficial effects in reducing inflammation.
source: http://www.vitaminupdate.com/health-problems-detail.cfm/id/15.html
In a 1984 study, 12 twelve patients with benign breast disease were treated with daily doses of 150,000 IU of vitamin A. After three months of treatment, nine of the women experienced marked pain reduction and five patients had at least a 50 per cent decrease in the size of their breast lumps. The lessening of breast pain was still evident eight months after the study ended. However, vitamin A in high doses can cause toxic symptoms, and several women in this study had severe headaches during treatment, while several other women had milder side effects.
Vitamin E
Some research suggests that vitamin E levels may be lower in fibrocystic breast disease sufferers. In a 1985 double-blind, randomized dose-response study, 75 women with benign breast disease were treated for two months with placebo or vitamin E in doses of 150, 300, or 600 IU per day. The results showed that vitamin E was significantly more effective than placebo.
In a 1981 study, 17 young women with fibrocystic breast disease and six age-matched controls were treated with vitamin E for four months. Blood samples collected at monthly intervals were analyzed for various hormone and blood fat levels. Fifteen patients showed improvements in symptoms and laboratory measurements showed normalization of abnormal hormone and lipid levels in the patients. Other studies also suggest that vitamin E supplements may correct the hormonal imbalances seen in fibrocystic breast disease patients. However, not all studies have shown beneficial effects.
Iodine
Iodine deficiency may play a role in fibrocystic breast disease, possibly by increasing the susceptibility of the tissue to estrogen stimulation. Some studies have shown that iodine treatment can relieve the symptoms, although the forms of iodine used in the studies are not available commercially.
Essential fatty acids
Fatty acid profiles may be abnormal in women with fibrocystic breast disease. Treatment with essential fatty acids may help to normalize this. Some studies have looked at the beneficial effects of evening primrose oil on fibrocystic breast disease. Evening primrose contains the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which has beneficial effects in reducing inflammation.
source: http://www.vitaminupdate.com/health-problems-detail.cfm/id/15.html
Good detailed overview: http://www.lef.org/protocols/female_reproductive/fibrocystic_breast_disease_01.htm
http://www.lindamackenzie.net/BCbodyarticle.htm holistic treatment
"Melatonin is a potent immune-enhancing hormone produced by the human pineal gland and appears to have substantial cancer-repelling power. In addition to boosting the activity of key immune cells called T helper cells, melatonin stimulates the tumor-killing action of natural killer cells (NK) by increasing the white blood cell production of the cytokine Interleukin-2 (IL-2) [Excerpt from the Definitive Guide to Cancer, by John Diamond, M.D. and Lee Cowden, M.D]
Research presented recently at the 94th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C., shows evidence that the night-time production of the hormone melatonin (produced during deep sleep) inhibits the growth of human breast cancer by blocking the tumor’s uptake of dietary linoleic acid. [Bassett Research Institute – Preclinical Study supported by the National Cancer Institute]
Researchers have discovered that EMFs (electro-magnetic field) can suppress the pineal glands' secretion of melatonin, a hormone which controls our wake/sleep cycle, moods and task performance. Depressed melatonin levels are associated with mood changes, depression and psychiatric disorders. Melatonin also plays a critical cancer role, by increasing the phytotoxicity of the body's natural killer lymphocytes. Suppression of pineal gland function has been implicated in the etiology of breast, ovarian, prostate and melanoma cancers. Other studies have linked EMFs to decreased production of enzymes called "protein kinases" in human lymphocyte cells. This also indicates that EMFs can suppress the immune system.
Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called
histones, which are believed to be active in controlling
cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can
be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth
normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and
in acting as a general body tonic. In any event,
regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is
a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you
from using it and it may do you much good. It has
been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that
asparagus is the highest tested food containing
glutathione, which is considered one of the body's
most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.