Breast Assured

Breast Assured contains a special blend of herbs and nutrients that have been shown to support and promote breast health by enhancing immune function, providing antioxidant protection, and interacting with estrogen receptors to block the effects of excess estrogen. As an added benefit, Breast Assured may even help reduce menopausal symptoms associated with hormone imbalance. Furthermore, the active ingredients in Breast Assured have been shown to reduce the development and growth of breast cancer in both in vitro and animal studies.

Calcium d-glucarate is the calcium salt of D-glucaric acid, a natural substance found in many fruits and vegetables such as apples and broccoli. Calcium d- glucarate has been shown to provide a protective effect against experimentally-induced cancers, including breast cancer, in animal studies. Research conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York indicates that calcium d-glucarate may exert its anti-cancer action, in part, through changing the hormonal environment in the body by facilitating the elimination of chemical carcinogenic substances and excess hormones such as estrogens.1-4

Ellagic acid is a protective phytochemical (plant chemical) found in various vegetables, nuts and fruits, especially pomegranates. Ellagic acid acts as a natural antioxidant to block the effects of damaging free radicals. Free radical damage has been linked to the breaking of DNA single- and double-strands and is considered to be an initial step in several human degenerative diseases, as well as cancer and aging. Recent research has shown that ellagic acid demonstrates potential cancer chemopreventive (disease-preventing) properties. Preliminary research suggests that ellagic acid may help inhibit the development of breast cancer, as well as liver and skin cancer.5-10

Maitake mushroom is a medicinal mushroom that enhances immune function by stimulating cell-mediated immunity. In other words, maitake increases the activity of immune cells such as T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which have significant cancer-fighting properties. Maitake also enhances production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), which in turn activates T-cells. Maitake does not kill cancer cells directly, but rather activates immune cells that fight the cancer and tumors. In addition, researchers have extensively investigated a powerful active ingredient in maitake, beta-D-glucan (also known as maitake D-fraction), and have found that it stops normal cells from becoming cancerous, helps prevent cancer from spreading (metastasizing), inhibits tumor growth, and even reduces the side effects of chemotherapy.11-14

Kudzu contains unique isoflavones, which are classified as a type of phytoestrogen because of their estrogen-like action in the body. Isoflavones interact with estrogen receptors, providing weak estrogen-like activity, while blocking the effects of excess estrogen. In this way, isoflavones not only provide some of the benefits of estrogenic activity such as helping to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis (by increasing bone mineral density), but also may reduce the risk of breast and uterine cancer caused by excess estrogen. Plus, according to a review of recent findings, phytoestrogens such as isoflavones are used as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy and to reduce menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones may also provide protection against cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Scientific research on the isoflavones found in kudzu has shown that one isoflavone in particular, known as puerarin, triggers cytochrome P450 enzymes 1A1 and 1A2, causing estrogens to be processed through the beneficial C-2-hydroxylation metabolic pathway. In other words, puerarin activates specific detoxification enzymes (cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1A2) to break down estrogens into less harmful substances (metabolites) known as C-2-hydroxylated compounds. By doing so, puerarin causes estrogens to lose much of their estrogenic and cell-proliferating activity, which helps reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore, kudzu also contains the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. A variety of health benefits have been attributed to these isoflavones, including protection against breast cancer.15-23

Flax meal is made from ground flax seeds, which are a source of essential fatty acids (EFAs), including alpha-linolenic acid. Research from the British Journal of Cancer indicates that alpha-linolenic acid helps inhibit breast cancer, tumor invasiveness and metastasis. Study results confirm that low levels of alpha-linolenic acid are the most important contributor to the proliferation of cancer. These findings are highly significant since the primary cause of death in breast cancer patients is the spread of cancer to other tissues. In addition, flax seeds contain lignans, a type of phytoestrogen. Lignans are converted by intestinal bacteria into powerful cancer-fighting compounds thatappear to have similar effects as isoflavones. Flax lignans and lignan precursors have been shown to reduce mammary (breast) tumor development in animal studies and may offer long-term protective effects against tumor development. Lignans can affect tumor growth in several ways: they function as weak estrogens or anti-estrogens to inhibit the effects of estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals; they block the action of enzymes that promote breast cancer cell growth; and, they exhibit antioxidant effects that help reduce cancer development. Such estrogenic effects may explain why flax seeds have been used effectively for reducing and relieving symptoms associated with PMS and menopause. Furthermore, according to a review of recent findings, phytoestrogens such as flax lignans are used as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy and to reduce menopausal symptoms. Lignans may also provide protection against chronic diseases such as hormone-dependent cancers, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.15,18,21,24-34

Lutein – High plasma lutein is associated with the increased presence of estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells and, consequently, with greater survival rates and better response to hormone therapy. These finding suggest that plasma lutein concentration may be linked with improved prognosis following diagnosis of breast cancer. Other studies have demonstrated an evident increase in breast cancer risk for decreasing blood levels of lutein, especially in premenopausal women. In addition, a recent animal study confirmed that dietary lutein reduced mammary tumor growth and development, suggesting, for the first time, that lutein is not only capable of inhibiting mammary tumor growth, but possibly of preventing tumor initiation.35-38