Breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Approximately 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and although the death rate has declined by 44%, the incidence of newly diagnosed cases continues to increase about 1% per year.
There are several factors associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Some of them can’t be avoided or changed, namely, age, genetic predisposition, and race (risk higher among black women). However, women can proactively reduce their risk by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.
Another way women can reduce their risk of developing breast cancer is by adding specific herbal supplements. Studies have shown the potential of these plant derived substances to reduce the risk of breast cancer development based on their anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormone-regulating properties.
In this article, I’ll review some of the top herbal supplements which have been the most well studied. It will also make you happy to learn that many of them have numerous other health benefits aside from breast cancer prevention.
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk by favorably regulating cell growth and differentiation. It helps maintain healthy cellular function while inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells. Observational studies have found that women with higher blood levels of vitamin D have a lower incidence of breast cancer, particularly postmenopausal women. Other studies have found that a deficiency in Vitamin D caused 7.5-fold greater risk among postmenopausal breast cancer women compared with controls.
Here's a whopper of a statistic for you:
Daily Vitamin D dose should be at least 5000 IU per day but may be higher depending on your Vitamin D blood levels. Optimal Vitamin D levels are between 60 ng/ml and 80 ng/ml.
Diindolylmethane (DIM)
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, which is found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. DIM has been s modulating estrogen serves as an anti-estrogen while also favorably affecting estrogen metabolism in a way that reduces breast cancer risk. As a potent antioxidant, DIM also reduces oxidative stress and protects breast cells from DNA damage which is crucial in preventing the initiation and progression of cancer. The recommended dose is 100 mg to 200 mg per day.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)
Omega-3s, including those found in sources including fish oil, krill oil, and chia seeds, have strong anti-inflammatory properties which inhibit cancer cell growth. Omega 3s reduce breast cancer risk by modulating immune function and reducing chronic inflammation, which can contribute to cancer development. Moreover, higher intake of EPA and DHA are also associated with a 25% reduction in breast cancer recurrence and improved overall mortality! Shoot for a daily dose of around 1000 mg per day.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a bioactive flavonoid pigment found in several fruits, vegetables and leaves. Its potent antioxidant activity and anti-tumor properties have been seen in numerous human cancers, including breast cancer. Studies have shown that not only does Quercetin promote the death of breast cancer cells and prevent the growth of new breast cancer cells, but it also has an ‘anti-estrogen’ effect on breast tissue.
What’s even more interesting is that when combined with conventional chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, it can successfully reverse multidrug resistance and restore the effectiveness of chemotherapy in killing actively growing breast cancer cells. For breast cancer prevention, the typical recommended dosage of Quercetin ranges between 500 mg to 1,000 mg per day.
Curcumin
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, has been studied for its ability to prevent breast cancer through multiple biological mechanisms. Its anti-cancer properties are largely attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative effects. Curcumin prevents the multiplication of breast cancer cells by interfering with cell signaling pathways.
Curcumin is also unique in its ability to selectively kill breast cancer cells while leaving healthy breast cells unharmed. Like Quercetin, Curcumin has also been shown to prevent the spread of breast cancer cells to other parts of the body. For general cancer prevention, daily doses of 500 mg to 1,000 mg of curcumin are typically.
Green Tea Extract (EGCG)
The active compound in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been extensively studied for its potential protective effect from various types of human cancers. In the case of breast cancer, EGCG prevents expansion of cancer stem cells and reduces tumor progression by maintaining a dormant state in cancer cells. It controls multiple cell signaling pathways which affect cancer cell blood supply as well the ability of cancer cells to spread and invade other tissues.
300 mg to 600 mg daily of EGCG is commonly cited for breast cancer prevention in both clinical trials and observational studies.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, found in grapes, red wine, and certain berries, acts as an antioxidant and has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including breast cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. Resveratrol can modulate estrogen signaling by acting as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). This is particularly important for preventing estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancers, which rely on estrogen for growth. Resveratrol has been shown to block the binding of estrogen to its receptors, thereby inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Resveratrol also prevents breast cancer cells from creating their own blood supply and spreading throughout the body. The recommended dose of Resveratrol for breast cancer prevention is 100 mg to 500 mg per day.
Probiotics
Probiotics enhance immune function, particularly by improving the activity of key anti- cancer components of the immune system. A strong immune response can prevent the early development of tumors, including in breast tissue.
This graphic shows the many ways probiotics help prevent breast and other cancers.
As shown above, certain probiotic strains, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have been shown to enhance immune responses, reduce inflammation, and inhibit breast tumor growth by secreting substances that inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and caused programmed breast cancer cell death. Probiotics also reduce breast cancer risk by improving estrogen metabolism and detoxifying carcinogens.
The recommended probiotic dose for breast cancer prevention is not universally established, as research in this area is still developing. However, general guidelines based on studies related to cancer prevention suggest the following supplementing with 10 billion to 50 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per day of a multi-strain probiotic which includes both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.
It's important to emphasize that every woman’s health and breast cancer risk factors are unique. There’s absolutely no harm in taking any of the aforementioned herbal supplements as long as you adhere to the recommended doses. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to add all of these as supplements. I highly recommend you speak with your health care provider and work together to come up with a breast cancer supplement regimen that works best for you.
Also, it’s absolutely critical that you take only pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements to ensure safety and effectiveness. If in doubt, you can visit our website at www.theedwardsedge.com to find pharmaceutical grade supplements you can count on.