Nutrients And Herbs For Fibrocystic Breasts

Healthy breast tissue is smooth, of even thickness throughout, and pain-free. Most women experience at least some degree of swelling, tenderness, lumpiness, or ropelike tissue in their breasts.

One common reason is fibrocystic breast disease, a noncancerous condition that affects up to 50% of women aged thirty-five to fifty.

Although fibrocystic breast disease (FBD) is not cancer, or a definitive risk factor, the conditions that favor the development of FBD also favor the development of breast cancer. Naturopathic management of FBD combines lifestyle changes, nutritional supplementation, and detoxifying herbs, which are all contributors for overall breast health.

Herbal FBD therapy has two primary goals: reducing estrogen activity and improving liver function. Vitamin E increases the progesterone to estrogen ratio, thus reducing the relative concentration of estrogen. While several studies show favorable results, not all studies agree. Naturopaths find this in practice, too; the majority of FBD patients respond well to vitamin E therapy, but some do not. Evening primrose, high in Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, gives rise to chemicals involved in the body's response to inflammation and estrogen. Supplementation with evening primrose oil for several months has been shown to significantly reduce breast pain.

Phytoestrogens bind to and stimulate estrogen receptors with a milder effect than estrogen, blocking stronger estrogens from binding to receptors; this reduces the overall estrogenic effect in the body. Red clover contains a high concentration of phytoestrogenic compounds. A source of isoflavones, which contribute to a reduced risk of breast cancer, red clover is an ideal herb for the management of FBD. It helps reduce fluid retention, stimulates the liver, and encourages liver metabolism of estrogen. There are no known toxicities or contraindications.

Burdock is one of the foremost herbs that stimulate the processing and removal of toxic compounds. As a result, it may reduce fluid retention and breast cancer risk.

Reference: Knight, D. and Eden, J. "Phytoestrogens-a short review." Maturitas 1995, 22:167-75. London, R.S., et al. "The effect of vitamin E on mammary dysplasia: A double-blind study." Obstetrics & Gynecology 1985, 65:104-6.

A New Health Enhancer

Coenzyme-A is an active metabolic enzyme in the human body. It operates in the body's cells and blood where it is required to initiate more than 100 important processes in the body. One of the most crucial functions is its initiation of the body's energy cycle.

Coenzyme-A, Coenzyme-Q10 and Coenzyme-1 (NADH) are similar in that they are all metabolic enzymes responsible for energy production. However, Coenzyme-A is the catalyst that initiates all other enzymatic and hormonal biochemical reactions in the cells including the chemical reactions involving Coenzyme-Q10 and NADH. If Coenzyme-A is not available in sufficient amounts then the human body cannot utilize Coenzyme-Q10, NADH and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Symptoms of a deficiency of Coenzyme-A include: fatigue, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, impaired sense of balance, easy irritability, cardiac instability, and abnormal need for sleep.

Clinical studies show that Coenzyme-A also plays a major role in the body's ability to cope with stress and strengthen the immune system.

Research shows that hormonal changes and chemical imbalances in perimenopausal and menopausal women contribute to higher levels of cholesterol, increased fat storage, anxiety, and depression. Coenzyme-A unlocks this fat depot and is the agent that converts the stored fat into energy through lipid metabolism, which reduces cholesterol and triglycerides by increasing fat utilization.

The cumulative effects of 30 years or so of reproductive cycles reduces the availability of Coenzyme-A for the body's total Coenzyme-A pool. Each reproductive cycle depletes some Coenzyme-A from a resource that is very often deficient from the start. This is why some women gain weight after having children and also when they are perimenopausal and menopausal-their Coenzyme-A pool is dwindling.

Research indicates that supplementation of Coenzyme-A may streamline the metabolism, help process fats and remove toxins from the body, and improve overall physical and mental performance.

Reference: Robishaw, J.D. and Neely, J.R. Coenzyme A Metabolism; American Journal of Physiology 1985; 248:E1-E9.

Sweeter Than Sugar

The herb Stevia rebaudiana is approximately 10 to 15 times sweeter than common table sugar. Extracts of stevia in the form of steviosides range from 100 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is sugarless, calorie-free, and safe for children. It reportedly is suitable for diabetics, as it does not impact blood sugar levels. Stevia also has been noted as a plaque retardant that does not cause cavities.

As an alternative to natural sweeteners, it is heat stable to 392 degrees Fahrenheit and can be used for cooking and baking, and it can be blended with other sweeteners, reports David Richard in Stevia Rebaudiana: Nature's Sweet Secret.

Stevia has been studied as an aid in regulating blood-sugar metabolism and as an antibacterial substance. However, many of these studies are preliminary and some of the results are contradictory.

Ray Sahelian, M.D., and Donna Gates, authors of The Stevia Cookbook: Cooking with Nature's Calorie-Free Sweetener, cite a human study that indicated that the quality of stevia's sweetness is preferable to that of aspartame and saccharin.

Stevia is widely used in many countries, most notably Japan, which has banned certain artificial sweeteners due to health concerns.

Those on a low carbohydrate diet will appreciate stevia. For a sweet, natural alternative to sugar, give stevia a try.

Reference: David Richard. Stevia Rebaudiana: Nature's Sweet Secret.

Castor Oil: Old Remedy, New Benefits

In many ways, castor oil is a very unique substance. While most of us are familiar with its use as a remedy for constipation, folk healers in this country and around the world have used castor oil to treat a wide variety of conditions. Its effectiveness is probably due in part to its peculiar chemical composition.

Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids. Almost 90% of its fatty acid content consists of ricinoleic acid. Such a high concentration of this unusual unsaturated fatty acid is thought to be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.

Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and molds. This would explain the high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating such ailments as ringworm, keratoses, and skin inflammation. Generally, for these conditions the area involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night.

While castor oil has been investigated for its industrial uses, only a minimal amount of research has been directed toward its medicinal benefits.

In Russia, the oil is added to products to restore hair, treat constipation, and soothe eye irritations.

Much of the current use of castor oil packs can be attributed to the late healing psychic, Edgar Cayce. Research presented by Dr. William McGarey of Phoenix, AZ found that patients using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared to increases among those using placebo packs.

With castor oil application, the flow of lymph increases throughout the body. This speeds up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reduces the size of swollen lymph nodes. The end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of fatigue and depression.

Due to the many effects of its fatty acid component, ricinoleic acid, the use of castor oil can be used topically to treat a wide variety of health complaints.

Reference: Am Oil Chem Soc 6a;37:323-5.

Phytosterols Lower Cholesterol

Phytosterols (also known as plant sterols) have a similar chemical structure as cholesterol, but are found in vegetable oils, seeds, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables. Beta-sitosterol is a common phytosterol.

Given the similarity of phytosterols to cholesterol, it is not surprising that phytosterols compete with cholesterol for absorption in the intestine. This serves to reduce total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Blood levels of cholesterol are linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

Researchers reviewed 16 published studies of the use of phytosterol mixtures to lower cholesterol levels. A total of 590 study participants were included in the review. Results showed that phytosterol supplements led to an average reduction of total cholesterol of 10%. LDL-cholesterol levels were lowered by an average of 13% in those supplementing with phytosterols.

While phytosterols are promising therapy for reducing cholesterol levels, they also have the benefit of having a very low risk of side effects.

Reference: Moghadasian, M.H. and Frohlich, J.J. "Effects of dietary phytosterols on cholesterol metabolism and atherosclerosis: Clinical and experimental evidence." Am J Med 1999; 107:588-94.

Antioxidants Lift Older Adults

Older individuals have a higher incidence of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory diseases. This is a result of the age-related decline in immune function. Recently, researchers from Tufts University pointed out some good news in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society: "Vitamin E supplementation has been shown to improve some aspects of immune function in aged animals and human subjects."

To continue this line of research, vitamin E supplements were given to young and old animals that were then exposed to influenza. While the vitamin E supplements were associated with only modest effects in the young mice, the old mice had significant reductions in viral lung disease.

Another article published in the same issue of this journal suggests that impaired immune function in the aging process, among other changes, may be a result of oxidative damage. Therefore, antioxidants could exert a protective effect. The researchers concluded that, "combined supplementation, including zinc, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids could be the best way to prevent accelerated aging and reduce the risk of several common age-related diseases."

Reference: Han, S.N. and Meydani, S.N. "Vitamin E and infectious diseases in the aged." Proc Nutr Soc 1999;58:697-705. Richard, M. and Roussel, A. "Micronutrients and aging: Intakes and requirements." Proc Nutr Soc 1999;58:573-78.