which led to reduced pain, size and
swelling in 80% of the women studied,
while 65% had complete elimination
of the cysts. Most practitioners recom-
mend between 400-800 IU per day of
D-alpha-tocopherol, a safe over-the-
counter form of Vitamin E to use for
fibrocystic breasts.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil (EPO) is an ome-
Natural
ga-6 fatty acid that is useful in combat-
ing fibrocystic breasts. This is the only
fatty acid that has been thoroughly
Therapies
studied for its effectiveness against be-
nign breast disease. A group of women
to Manage
took EPO for 3 months while another
group took a placebo. Half of women
receiving EPO experienced significant
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
improvement from pain and tenderness.
Other research has duplicated these
results, showing EPO to be a great relief
by dr. susan Jacobs
Dietary fat can also affect the
to many women. In addition, EPO can
health of breast tissue. Research indi-
be beneficial in other conditions such
M
any women suffer every cates that a reduction of fat to 15% of
as neuropathy, eczema and arthritis.
month from fibrocystic breast total calories can decrease the severity
disease. This condition occurs of premenstrual tenderness and swell-
Indole-3-Carbinol
usually from mid-cycle to menstruation ing, as well as lessen nodularity in
The last natural agent that shows prom-
and is associated with lumpy, swollen, women with fibrocystic breasts. This
ise in helping women with fibrocystic
painful breasts. Symptoms can range can be achieved by eating a diet high in
breasts is called indole-3-carbinol.
from mild to severe, and often drives fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean
These phytochemicals are found in high
women to their OB/GYN for further meats such as chicken and fish. Veg-
amounts in broccoli, cauliflower, cab-
evaluation. Women who experience ans, people that do not eat any animal
bage, kale and collard greens. Indole-
fibrocystic breasts tend to be estrogen products, have a very low incidence of
3-carbinol is used to help the body me-
dominant, meaning there is excess fibrocystic breasts. Reducing dietary
tabolize estrogens and to remove them
estrogen in relationship to progester- fats seems to have a positive influence
from circulation. They are also potent
one. Thankfully, this condition does on breast tissue by decreasing circulat-
antioxidants and stimulators of detoxi-
not predispose women to breast cancer, ing estrogen levels.
fication pathways, showing protective
and there are many natural and safe al-
properties against estrogen related can-
ternatives to help resolve the condition.
Iodine
cers such as breast and cervical cancer.
Below, I will explore some of these
In 1967, Eskin discovered that iodine
Fibrocystic breast disease can be a
options in detail.
deficiency in rats resulted in breast
painful and scary experience for wom-
lesions that were similar to human
en. Fortunately, it is a benign condition
Diet fibrocystic disease. Without iodine,
that is easily managed through natural
Fibrocystic breasts can be eliminated breast tissue becomes more sensitive to
methods. If you are experiencing breast
with simple dietary changes. The most estrogenic stimulation, producing mi-
pain, swelling or masses, it is important
significant approach is to remove foods crocysts. Since that time many clinical
to seek advice from a healthcare profes-
that contain methylxanthines, or caf- studies have shown significant improve-
sional. Early treatment is always the best
feine. Methylxanthines are found in ment in symptoms using iodine on a
choice when dealing with your health.
food and drink such as coffee, black regular basis. You can also get iodine
tea, chocolate, and other caffein- through your diet, eating seafood and
ated beverages. Complete elimina- sea vegetables, such as kelp and sushi.
Susan Jacobs ND L.Ac is a doctor of
tion of these substances led to 97.5 %
naturopathic medicine and acupunctur-
clinical improvement in women with
Vitamin E
ist. She works at the Cole Center for
fibrocystic breasts. Methylxanthines
Clinicians have used Vitamin E to man-
Healing in Sharonville. Her specialties
increase production and circulation of
age fibrocystic breasts for over 40 years.
include women’s and children’s health,
catecholamines, which can stimulate
One clinical study investigated the use
as well as prevention and natural man-
breast tissue.
of Vitamin E for 3 months successively,
agement of chronic disease.
18 Greater Cincinnati Edition
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