Manage fibrocystic breasts with the proper foods

Fibrocystic breast disease is a condition that occurs in many women, usually between the ages of 25 and 50. We'll teach you more about the condition and how certain foods can help to manage it.

• Though it's called fibrocystic breast disease, this condition isn't actually a disease.
• The symptoms are thought to be hormone-related and include breast tenderness, pain, a dull heavy feeling, swelling, and lumps (cysts). Symptoms usually occur about a week to 10 days before the onset of menstruation, and most often improve after the menstrual period.
• There appears to be a strong link between fibrocystic breast changes and premenstrual syndrome. Fibrocystic breast changes usually disappear after menopause (except if you're on hormone replacement therapy), most likely because of the change in hormone levels.
• Although fibrocystic breast lumps are benign and do not increase your risk of breast cancer, they can sometimes complicate the diagnosis of breast cancer. A mammographic image of fibrocystic breasts can sometimes be difficult for radiologists and breast specialists to decipher.
• Any lump in your breast should be brought to the attention of your health care practitioner.

• Fibrocystic breast changes are thought to be caused by an increased estrogen-to-progesterone ratio.
• Some research suggests that fibrocystic breast changes may be more pronounced in women with higher peak estrogen levels before ovulation and greater declines in progesterone after ovulation.
• These hormonal fluctuations may lead to a surplus of prolactin, a lactation hormone that can make the breasts swell and feel tender in non-breastfeeding women.

• Foods rich in essential fatty acids may help to diminish swelling by lowering the body's production of inflammatory substances.
• Consuming a diet rich in soy isoflavones and other phytoestrogens, such as lignans (in flax­seeds) may help to reduce estrogen. Phytoestrogens are mildly estrogenic phytochemicals that block estrogen.
• Preliminary studies suggest that the soy isoflavone genistein in particular may have an effect on menstrual cycle patterns and increase cycle length, thus reducing estrogen exposure. This, in turn, may reduce fibrocystic breast changes.
• A low-fat, high-fibre diet may be helpful for women with fibrocystic breast disease. Eating foods rich in fibre and decreasing the intake of foods high in saturated fat may reduce circulating estrogen, though more studies are required to determine how estrogen levels are affected by a high-fibre diet.
• Caffeine does not cause fibrocystic breast changes, but some women do feel that caffeine exacerbates breast tenderness and discomfort. If your symptoms seem to be reduced by eliminating caffeinated foods from your diet, then it may be prudent to do so. The same is true for eliminating foods high in salt.

• Though scientific evidence is scant regarding vitamin E and fibrocystic breast changes, many women attest to vitamin E's benefits, such as reduced pain, tenderness, and cyst size.
• Many people don't get enough vitamin E from their diets. Recent findings from a survey of more than 16,000 individuals indicate that approximately 30 percent of adults in North America don't get enough vitamin E.
• Good sources of this antioxidant vitamin include wheat germ, almonds and other nuts, vegetable oils, olive oil, and green leafy vegetables. However, because the top food sources of vitamin E tend to be high in fat, it may be a good idea to consult your health care provider to determine if you should take a vitamin E supplement instead.

If you're looking for healthy foods that can help alleviate fibrocystic breast disease, seek out fatty fish, flaxseed, nuts, seeds, apples, kidney beans, lentils, and whole grains.

Fibrocystic breast disease affects many women, but you don't need to resign yourself to swelling and discomfort. Use this guide to understand the condition and try some of these dietary modifications. They can significantly reduce your symptoms and make life a whole lot easier.