For those that take their breast health seriously, there are several options available. Among the most prominent are breast health supplements. These are chemicals, usually extracted from plant sources, used to augment a person’s general breast health.
Breast health is especially important for women, who tend to be at a greater risk of breast cancer. Anything that promotes breast health is always a good idea.
Examples of Breast Health Supplements
1)Vitamin D
The human body can manufacture vitamin D by using sunlight. There are food sources, like eggs, that can also provide vitamin D. However, vitamin D from these sources isn’t sufficient to meet the body’s needs. Supplemental Vitamin D3 is given to compensate for these deficits. Vitamin D has several benefits for the body. For instance, it helps the body to absorb certain useful substances like calcium and phosphorus. It also helps to slow down cancer growth, something that makes it a potent supplement for breast health.
2)Probiotics
The human body contains numerous bacteria, many of them harmless and some of them even beneficial. They line the different body surfaces. For example, in the digestive tract, they help with digestion. Probiotic supplements are a mix of good bacteria and yeast that are aimed at adding to the population of good microbes. This is beneficial for breast health. For example, it has been shown that healthy breast tissue contains different types of bacteria than cancerous breast tissue.
3)Fish Oil
Fish oil is a good source of anti-inflammatory agents. Cancer cells are known to prefer tissues undergoing inflammation. As an anti-inflammatory agent, fish oil is a nice supplement to help ward off precancerous growth in breast tissue. Fish oil contains a chemical called omega-3, a substance that helps to prevent heart disease and cancer growth.
4) NAC
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a key substance in the production of glutathione, a major antioxidant in the body. Anti-oxidants play a major role in protecting the body from cancerous growth. They help to get rid of harmful molecules like oxygen free radicals which are known to be cancer-causing agents. As supplements, they help preserve breast health. This supplement comes in the form of a cream.
In addition to the above, some minerals and enzymes can also be packaged as supplements.
What to Look for When Buying Supplements
Supplements, unlike drugs, don’t have to go through intense scrutiny before being available for purchase on the market. This means that there is a danger of having unregulated supplements on the market. Such unregulated supplements may be adulterated or not up to the standards that their manufacturer claims. That’s why it’s good to be cautious before buying any supplements.
Consider the following things when you go shopping for supplements:
1)Positive Identification
This should be one of the first things to look for on a supplement container before purchase. This identification confirms the container’s contents. With the presence of such identification, you don’t have to worry about buying falsely advertised products. For example, if the USP identification lists the bottle as containing vitamin D supplements, that’s what to expect.
2) Purity
This is one of the major problems for those that buy supplements. Many manufacturers don’t adhere to strict safety standards since they’re not under the same level of scrutiny as drug manufacturers. In worst-case scenarios, these manufacturers cut corners and add unwanted ingredients to the supplements. For example, there have been reports of some supplements testing positive for pesticide residues. As long as the USP identification is okay, you don’t have to worry about purity issues. Caution should always be exercised when purchasing supplements from unreliable sources.
3) Potency
Potency is the concentration of the substance. In this case, it indicates how strong the supplement is. Ensure to purchase supplements that are of adequate potency. Given that supplements are supposed to augment the body’s nutrient levels, many people think that supplements with a higher potency are better. However, that’s not the case. High potency can be just as harmful to the body.
Purchasing supplements from certified distributors ensures that you get supplements that are of the right potency.
4) Solubility
Supplements that don’t easily dissolve in water will have difficulty getting into the body’s tissues. Look for supplements whose ingredients are water-soluble.
When buying supplements, especially for the first time, it doesn’t hurt to consult a doctor or a dietitian. This ensures that you get the right advice regarding the quantity and the type of supplements you need.
Ultimately, getting the right supplements to promote breast health means knowing the ingredients that help to ward off breast diseases.
