Breast health concerns run a close race with those of breast appearance. Without breast health, appearance is a non-issue.  The former literally supports the latter! Healthy breasts are beautiful.

Before we discuss how to improve breast health, it is helpful to recognize what healthy breasts look and feel like, as well as what could be an issue for concern.

How Do You Know If Your Breasts Are Healthy?

There are multiple traits of healthy breasts. These include:

• They are equally lumpy. Meaning, if you find a few lumps in one breast, they’ll be mirrored in the other. Not all lumps are cancerous. However, if you notice that one side isn’t like the other, you may want to get that boob checked out.
• The skin of the breast has no color/discoloration and consistent in texture over time.
• They should feel warm, but not hot.
• Unless you are breastfeeding, there should be no discharge.
• Your breasts are pain-free (this does not apply when you are menstruating).
• Your armpits feel smooth. This should be an area included with your monthly self-examination.

Now that we have covered the appearance of healthy breasts, we’ll share foods to boost your breast health.

Foods That Support Breast Health

Ginger Muscalli, RD LDN at The Johns Hopkins Hospital is a two-time breast cancer survivor. These are some of her food recommendations for better breast health.

• All fruits – especially those rich in vitamin C.
• Blueberries and blackberries are rock stars among the fruit They have the potential to reduce the risk of breast cancer because of their plentiful phytochemicals like cyanidin, kaempferol, and resveratrol.
• Arugula and kale are tops as suppliers of carotenoids and fiber.
• Vegetables that contain carotenoids and antioxidants like carrots, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.
• Salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, swordfish, bluefin tuna, and trout are recommended for their high levels of selenium and omega-3s. Credibly and sustainably-sourced fish is best.
• Green tea because it has catechins, which are natural antioxidants.
• Fiber-rich foods.
• Spices like curcumin, turmeric, and cinnamon contain neutraceuticals that may reduce inflammation.
• Brazil nuts, and peanuts. They carry phytosterols which can help to regulate estrogen levels.

Supplements for Healthy Breasts

Greenbush Natural Products offers multiple supplemental solutions that may support some of the food recommendations listed above. Among them, we have a vegetarian turmeric capsule and a Ceylon cinnamon supplement. If you have nut allergies, and can’t incorporate nuts into your diet to help regulate your estrogen levels, you may be interested to know that some of our customers found our breast enhancement supplements to also aid with balancing their estrogen levels. These are available as an extract, capsule, and as tea. And speaking of tea, we also offer a Green Tea Extract.

Other Recommendations for Better Breast Health

Here are some final, essential notes to maximize your dietary and supplement plan. These lifestyle changes can be beneficial  to healthy breasts – and overall wellness, too:

• Develop better sleeping habits. Establish a set time to turn in and wake up. This and a regular schedule of 6-8 hours of sleep can increase your immunity.
• Drink less alcohol. Alcohol and the sugars in it can cause inflammation in the body.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Studies show that women who exercise regularly are more likely to lower estrogen levels, among many other benefits.

*INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY. STATEMENTS IN THIS WEBSITE HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THE FDA DOES NOT EVALUATE OR TEST HERBS AND HEALTH FOODS. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. FOR DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN. USE HERBS IN MODERATION AND WATCH FOR ALLERGIC REACTIONS. REMEMBER THAT DIET, EXERCISE AND RELAXATION ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO YOUR HEALTH.