Enzymes for Breast Health

Do you suffer from fibrocystic breast disease? This condition affects many women during the course of their lives. Fibrocystic breast disease is marked by lumpy, fibrous tissue in the breast and can range in discomfort from mild to severe. Women who have not had children, are prone to irregular menstrual activity, and who have a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it. But there are lifestyle choices you can make to minimize this problem or even eliminate its occurrance.

Some health practitioners believe conditions such as this in the breast are caused by a basic congestion of the body's elimination systems such as the liver and lymphatic system. Your liver can become toxic when overloaded with processed foods and substances in your diet. If your liver cannot filter out toxins, they go into your digestive tract and ultimately end up in other places like the lymphatic system. It's true that a diet high in fiber with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, moderate intake of sprouted whole grains/beans/legumes, and healthy, grass-fed meats and dairy encourages elimination of waste and lowers the levels of estrogen circulating in the body.

A remedy the mainstream medical communities are not as familiar with is digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes have shown positive effects on fibrocystic breast symptoms. These substances act as catalysts that cause chemical reactions to occur. Metabolic enzymes neutralize harmful compounds that are potentially cancer-causing agents. During digestion, enzymes break down food to a molecular level to be absorbed and used by the body. As protein digestion and the breaking down of food occurs, enzymes assist in elimination of bacteria, waste, toxins, and dead tissue. Digestive enzymes also encourage a natural healing response of inflammation in the body, which causes a pain-relieving effect to occur.

Other types of enzymes useful for repair and healing are known as systemic enzymes. These are taken between meals, unlike digestive enzymes (taken with meals). These enzymes maximize entry into the bloodstream for delivery to various parts of the body. Another type of enzyme is Proteolytic which typically comes from animal and non-animal sources such as hog pancreas (pancreatin), pineapple (bromelain), and papaya (papain). Pancreatin feeds the human pancreas and supports both its tissue and function. Another enzyme is serrapeptase, found in the saliva of silkworms who use it to dissolve silk -- one of toughest natural substances in existence.

Studies which used these enzymes had the following outcomes: in one group, 70 women with breast engorgment showed moderate to marked improvement in 86 percent of those who had taken the enzyme supplement, while an identical number of women in a placebo group only showed a 60 percent improvement. In another study, 10 coated tablets were given to 124 women twice daily. Another group received the same dosage but also added 1,000 mg of Vitamin E to their regimen. Six weeks later, researchers found that 80 percent of women taking only the enzyme were free of pain. Under the combined protocol, the percentage of women experiencing improvement increased to 85 percent. Any women experiencing a recurrence (from one to six months later) responded with improved results quickly after resuming enzymatic supplement supplementation.

Enzymedica, the leader in digestive enzymes, offers plant-based, condition-specific supplements. Digest Gold is their gold product for digestive support, while Repair Gold is their highest quality systemic support containing proteolytic enzymes which eliminate damaged tissue and increase the synthesis of protein to minimize discomfort and speeds body healing. Another formula, SerraGold (contains serrapeptase), is a good alternative to Repair Gold and provides excellent support to those processes as well. Visit Enzymedica for more information on the benefits of their products.

Some women experience relief from reducing or eliminating caffeine intake, and some find that increasing intake of real, essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, and certain herbs such as red clover tops, nettle leaf, burdock root, and violet leaf are helpful. Visit Organic Family Magazine for more information about these herbs. Ginseng, licorice root, black cohosh, and chaste tree berry are also effective herbs - for more information about these, read Dr. Christine Horner's advice.

Of course it is paramount to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper diet, exercise, stress-relief and rest. This includes plenty of filtered water, elimination of processed foods such as many grain products (many breads, crackers, pasta, cookies, etc.) and refined carbohydrates, meat and dairy products from animals fed corn, grains, and soy and contain antibiotics/steroids/hormones (stick to organic, pasture-raised meats and organic, raw dairy products), real foods with good sources of essential fatty acids (safe fish, grapeseed, olive, and coconut oils), raw nuts, soaked grains/legumes/beans, and good supplementation including probiotics.