Hormonal Imbalance in Women and Fibroids

Is there something that will help shrink or get rid of fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours or growths of the uterus. They are very common – about half of women have fibroids, and in many cases they go undetected until they grow large enough that they cause symptoms such as urinary frequency, pelvic pain or heavy bleeding during menstruation. Fibroids usually grow slowly and in most cases treatment is not necessary. Fibroid growth is stimulated by estrogen, so they eventually shrink and go away when women go through menopause. If your fibroids are causing you discomfort there are a few things that you can try to shrink them:

Diet – eat more cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel spouts. They contain compounds that help the liver detoxify estrogen. Choose organic foods to avoid pesticides ingestion (pesticides can act as endocrine disruptors and worsen estrogen dominance).

Supplements – Hormone Balance by femMED helps to correct hormonal imbalance in women resulting in estrogen dominance. There is also a product called Breast Health that contains calcium D-glucarate and indole-3-carbinol and these ingredients assist in the detoxification and elimination of estrogen.

Acupuncture can help relieve pelvic pain and swelling and it also reduces stress (stress can be a contributing factor to hormonal changes that worsen fibroid symptoms).

Exercise regularly to reduce stress and maintain a healthy body weight. If you carry excess body fat, that can serve as a reservoir for estrogen.

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Is Lemon Juice What can Prevent Breast Cancer?

Does taking lemon juice with water daily help to prevent breast cancer? (1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup of water)?

There is no scientific evidence that drinking lemon juice and water is what can prevent breast cancer. However lemon juice doe contains various nutrients that may have some cancer-protective benefits. Lemons contain vitamin C, flavonoids (type of antioxidant), potassium and B-vitamins. Lemon juice is also good to support the health and function of the liver and gallbladder.

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Can green tea or soy reduce risk of breast cancer?

What about the estrogen in green tea and soy for increasing breast lumps?  My GP has told me not to drink green tea.

Green tea does not contain any estrogen. In fact, some research has suggested that it may actually help in estrogen metabolism and reduce reduce risk of  breast cancer.

Soy contains isoflavones which are known as phytoestrogens because they can bind to estrogen receptors and exert weak estrogenic effects. Soy foods have been shown in studies to offer many health benefits including providing protection against osteoporosis (increasing bone density), reducing risk of heart disease with beneficial effects on cholesterol, platelets and blood vessels, and relieving menopause symptoms.

According to most human research, eating whole soy foods does not increase risk of breast or endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women, and may even be protective.  There is also some evidence that soy may be beneficial for cyclic breast pain and improve fibrocystic breast conditions.

However, consuming purified soy products and supplements is a different matter. A study published in Carcinogenesis suggests that not only is the cancer-preventive ability of soy foods markedly reduced in highly purified soy products and supplements, but that such processed foods can stimulate the growth of pre-existing estrogen-dependent breast tumors.

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Supplements for Breast Health for Breast Cancer Survivors

If you have already had breast cancer, are BRCA2 positive and are taking Tamoxifen,  taking femMED Breast Health can help protect breast tissue by aiding detoxification, helping the body eliminate harmful estrogens and promoting a healthy estrogen balance. Specifically, it helps raise levels of 2-hydroxy estrogen, which is a form of estrogen that is breast-protective. In fact, several studies have shown that as levels of 2-hydroxyestrogen increase and levels of 16-hydroxyestrogen decrease, the risk for breast cancer decreases.

femMED’s Breast Health formula was just recently involved in a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial that was published in a peer reviewed journal called Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research. This study was also presented at a prestigious scientific conference. Researchers evaluated the product in 47 pre-menopausal women and 49 post-menopausal women for 28 days. On day one and 28, they analyzed blood and urine samples for estrogen metabolites. They discovered that femMED’s Breast Health supplement significantly increased the mean urinary concentration of 2-hydroxy estrogen in pre- and post-menopausal women (by 110% and 88%, respectively). The Breast Health supplement was well-tolerated, and displayed no adverse side effects.

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The Role of Supplements for Breast Health

Breast Health Supplements

At the turn of the century, 1 in 90 women had breast cancer.   Today it’s 1 in 8.   Despite advances in research and treatment, breast cancer continues to take a significant toll on women in our country.   Many risk factors for breast cancer can’t be changed: family history, the age at which you get your first period, and the age at which you go through menopause.

However, risk can be increased or decreased based on the lifestyle choices you make.  Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk that are entirely in your control.

Consider Breast Health Supplements

femMED Breast Health is a clinically proven, specially formulated solution with seven proven ingredients which regulate hormones, inhibit abnormal cell growth and support detoxification. They work together to protect breast tissue, promote a healthy estrogen balance and even reduce menstrual cycle breast pain and tenderness.

Included in the ingredients is Indole-3-carbinol, a nutrient found in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli. It aids in the detoxification of estrogen, has anti-cancer properties and fights free radical damage. Milk thistle supports liver function and aids in detoxification. Calcium-D-glucarate helps the liver detoxify and eliminate estrogen. Studies have shown that Vitamin D3 may help reduce breast cancer development and growth.

Other Ways that May Prevent Breast Cancer

Maintain a Healthy Weight

The amount of weight a woman gains after age 18 is a strong indicator of breast cancer risk, especially after menopause. Older women who gained 20-30 pounds after high school had 40% increased risk compared to those women who kept their weight down. Another report stated that the risk doubled if a woman gained over 70 pounds. This is in part due to the fact that many breast tumors thrive on estrogen and body fat stores estrogen. Don’t give cancer a good place to hide.

Foods that Fight Breast Cancer

Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) is a naturally occurring phyto-nutrient (plant based) found in vegetables like broccoli, kale, cabbage and cauliflower. I3C helps protect breast tissue by stimulating your body’s natural detoxifying enzymes. This aids the body in releasing excess estrogen safely.

Rethink Hormone Replacement Therapy

Current and long-term users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. HRT was found to raise the number of breast cancers that are ductal and lobular.

Stop Smoking

Tobacco smoke carries carcinogens, which can accumulate in fluid around the breasts. Active smoking can significantly increase your risk of breast and lung cancers, and passive smoking may also raise your risk. Get help to kick the habit and improve your long-term health. The evidence is piling up supporting  a link between smoking and breast cancer. It’s another good reason to stop smoking.

Watch the Alcohol

Regular and modest amounts of alcohol can raise your estrogen levels. Even one drink a day can expose breast tissue to higher hormone levels. Since some breast tumors are estrogen-sensitive, alcohol can increase the risk that the cells in that tissue will become cancerous. Limit your intake to lower your risk.

Get Regular Excercise

Exercise helps manage weight and decrease the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer.

Breast Self Exam (BSE)

Self examination on a routine basis allows you to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. This can help you become aware of any changes that may occur.

Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)

A clinical breast exam is an examination by a healthcare professional; who uses his/her hands to feel for lumps or other changes. Many women have a CBE as part of their regular health check-up. If you are between 40-49 years of age it is recommended that you have a CBE at least every two years.

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