At puberty, female sex hormones, particularly estrogen, promote the development of breasts in women. In men the higher lever of testosterone inhibits the development of breasts. Each breast has one nipple surrounded by colored skin called the areola. Common diseases of the breast include breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease. Certain supplements, such as antioxidants, iodine and evening primrose oil, may be beneficial for breast health.
Antioxidants and Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is caused by a group of cancer cells that start from the cells of the breast and invade surrounding tissues. The disease mainly occurs in women but men can get breast cancer as well. Antioxidants help protect the body from free radicals that can damage cells. Free radicals are produced by the body in processes such as digestion, but they also are formed by environmental factors, such as pollution and cigarette smoke. Vitamins and minerals with antioxidant properties include, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc.
In a study published in a 2003 issue of "Nutrition and Cancer," researchers studied the effect of antioxidants on breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer-related mortality in 385 postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer, over a period of 12 to 14 years. The team found that antioxidant supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer-related mortality. Cancer patients should consult a doctor before taking any antioxidant supplements.
Evening Primrose Oil and Mastalgia
Mastalgia, is the medical name for breast pain. There are two types of mastalgia: cyclical mastalgia, when the breast pain changes during the menstrual cycle, and the less common noncyclical mastalgia, when the pain remains the same throughout the menstrual cycle.
Evening primrose is a wildflower that grows throughout America. The oil is obtained from the plants seeds, and it is an excellent source of the omega-6 essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid, also known as GLA.
A study published in a 1985 issue of the "Lancet" looked at the effect of evening primrose oil in 291 women with persistent and severe breast pain but no breast cancer. The authors found that evening primrose oil can relieve cyclic mastalgia in 45 percent of patients and noncyclic mastalgia in 27 percent of patients. Mastalgia sufferers should consult a health care professional before taking any evening primrose supplements.
Iodine and Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibrocystic breast disease, also sometimes called fibrocystic change, is a common and benign change within the breast characterized by a dense irregular and bumpy consistency in the breast tissue. Symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease include, breast pain, swollen breasts that feel very heavy and have lumps. The trace mineral iodine, is essential for thyroid function and cell metabolism. According to the University of Maryland, iodine, particularly in women with low levels of iodine, may improve breast tenderness associated with fibrocystic breast disease. If you suffer with fibrocystic breast disease, you should consult a health care professional before taking any iodine supplements.
Considerations
If you have unusual pain, lumps in the breast or experience discharge from the nipple, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
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