BREAST HEALTH

What is Breast Health?

Breast Health is defined as the maintenance of healthy breast tissue and the avoidance of breast disease.

What are the common, conditions, and diseases associated with Breast tissue?

• Breast Cancer

• Fibrocystic breasts

What is the difference between early detection of breast disease and maintaining breast health?

Many woman believe that a yearly mammogram the best way to maintain breast health. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth. In order to clear up this common misunderstanding we must first establish the difference between early detection of breast disease and the maintenance of breast health. 

1. Early detection of breast disease; Primarily uses medical devices such as mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI to screen breast tissue for abnormalities. These devices can also be used to further evaluate suspected breast lesions visualized on previous screening modalities, or those identified upon physical examination of the breast. Diagnosis of breast disease can then be established via tissue biopsy. It is important to remember early detection devices can only help identify existing breast disease, they do not help a woman maintain breast health and avoid breast disease in the first place.

2. Maintenance of breast health; Employs a comprehensive holistic health protocol consisting of numerous strategies that can be implemented on a regular basis to help a woman maintain breast health and avoid breast disease.

What is the benefit of using a Comprehensive Holistic Health Protocol for Breast Health?

By employing the multiple strategies (listed below) involved in a comprehensive holistic health protocol for breast health, a woman will A) have the peace of mind knowing she is taking advantage of the most up to date published peer reviewed scientific research regarding the maintenance of  breast health, and B) She can also rest assured that she has done her best to reduce her risk of being diagnosed with breast disease.

(Strategy #1) Are there hormonal imbalances, or deficiencies that can negatively affect Breast Health?

Yes, the primary hormone imbalance negatively affecting breast health is a deficiency of the hormone Progesterone. A progesterone deficiency leads to a condition known as Estrogen Dominance Syndrome (EDS). Estrogen and Progesterone have a balancing effect on each other. Estrogen is excitatory, while Progesterone is calming, Estrogen causes fluid retention, while Progesterone causes fluid loss. These two hormones create hormonal balance in the body by working in opposition to each other, essentially keeping each other in check. When there is a deficiency in Progesterone, Estrogen’s effect on the body and brain goes unchecked, creating a hormonal imbalance where Estrogen becomes the dominant hormone, hence the term Estrogen Dominance Syndrome (EDS). When breast tissue is subjected to the effects of estrogen without the “balancing effect” of progesterone abnormal breast tissue growth and breast disease can occur. Therefore, in order to maintain healthy breasts it is of paramount importance to maintain an appropriate balance between estrogen and progesterone.

How would I know if I have a progesterone deficiency and Estrogen Dominance Syndrome (EDS) ?

Listed below are the symptoms and conditions associated with progesterone deficiency and Estrogen Dominance Syndrome:

• Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) – Cramping, bloating, fluid retention, anxiety, and insomnia, in the week leading up to the menstrual period

• Dysmenorrea – Painful, difficult menstrual periods

• Pre-Menopause Symptoms –

• Ovarian Cysts

• Uterine Fibroids

• Endometriosis

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

(Strategy #2) Are there dietary considerations that will either positively or negatively affect support Breast Health?

Yes, there are a number of foods that have been shown in the published peer reviewed scientific literature to support breast health.

(Strategy #3) Are there any nutritional deficiencies that could negatively affect breast health?

Yes, the breasts (like other tissues in the body) are made up of cells. Each cell has very specific nutritional needs to support the structure and function of that cell. Consuming adequate amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids are necessary for the structural and functional aspects of cellular health listed below:

• Cell membranes

• Cell receptors

• Mitochondrial membranes

• Mitochondrial energy production capacity

• Cellular repair mechanisms

• Cellular detoxification mechanisms

• Anti-oxidative mechanisms

• Enzymatic DNA repair mechanisms

(Strategy #4) Are there any nutritional supplements that will support Breast Health?

Yes, there are numerous nutritional supplements that have been shown in the published peer reviewed scientific literature to support breast health.

What should a Comprehensive Holistic Protocol for Breast Health include?

A Comprehensive Holistic Health Protocol should always be customized to meet the unique needs of each person. Not only do people have different genetic variations, but differ in important lifestyle factors that influence their overall health outcomes. A persons diet, stress levels, professional and family responsibilities, sleep patterns, exercise choices, as well as past and present medical history all must be considered in protocol design. Of the over 11,000 Comprehensive Holistic Health Protocols we have designed in the last 27 years of clinical practice, no two have been exactly the same. The four main components of an appropriately designed Comprehensive Holistic Health Protocol for Female Hormone Imbalances would include:

1.  A customized diet; Specific to the patients individual needs

2.  A general nutritional supplement strategy; To support basic health needs

3.  A targeted nutritional supplement strategy; Specific to the patients individual needs

4.  A hormone modulating nutritional supplement strategy; Using Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) that can affect the levels of various hormones within the human body.

How do these Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) work?

Some Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) work by encouraging the body to produce appropriate and balanced levels of important hormones like Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone and Prolactin on its own. Additionally, other extracts can be used to stimulate hormone receptor sites creating a “Hormone Like” effect without the hormone being present. By combining different Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) we can achieve healthy hormonal restoration and balance in most cases.

What if these Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) do not work?

Occasionally, a woman will use Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) for 8-10 weeks and see very little improvement in her condition. The usual reason this occurs is that part of her own hormone producing system consisting of the Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, and Ovaries, has suffered from aging, inflammatory, and environmental damage, and is no longer capable of producing appropriate and balanced levels of important hormones. In these cases, it now becomes appropriate and clinically necessary to use low dose Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (BHR).

What is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (BHR)?

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement (BHR) is defined as the clinical use of a hormone that is made in a laboratory and has the exact same molecular structure as the hormone that the body makes on its own. Once the hormone is in the blood stream the body’s tissues would have no idea where the hormone came from. It could have come from a laboratory, or from a hormone producing gland within the body, it doesn’t matter because it is the exact same molecule, and it will have the exact same effect on the body’s tissues.

What is the correct way to use Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) and Bio-Identical Hormones (BHR)?

Every woman is different and the appropriate dosing, and dosing patterns of Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) and Bio-Identical Hormones (BHR) will vary depending on numerous factors including: age, weight, medical history, and current medical conditions. Having designed thousands of Comprehensive Holistic Health Protocols in 27 years of clinical practice ensures that our patients and clients receive the most scientifically advanced, and clinically effective healthcare available.

Is the brand or source of Standardized Botanical Extracts (SBE) and Bio-Identical Hormones (BHR) important?

Absolutely, like most products available to the public, Standardized Botanical Extracts and Bio-identical Hormones vary in quality depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, many of the products used in Holistic Healthcare are classified as “Dietary Supplements”. These products are not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same manner as pharmaceutical drugs. Essentially, walking into a health food store, drug store, or supermarket and purchasing a nutritional supplement off the shelf is no guarantee of quality, potency, safety, or efficacy. This makes the integrity of the manufacturers of these products of paramount importance. Over the past 27 years we have visited numerous dietary supplement manufacturing and laboratory facilities, and spoken to dozens of company executives, scientists, and laboratory personnel. We have verified raw material sourcing, and consulted independent third party certification institutions to ensure that we utilize the highest quality, most effective products for ourselves and our patients.

How can I find out if one of your Comprehensive Holistic Health Protocols would be beneficial to me?

Please feel free to contact us via phone or email. We would be happy to listen to your health concerns, and answer any questions you may have. If after corresponding with you, we feel we may be able to help you, we would be happy to offer you an appointment for a consultation.