gamma-linolenic-acid and Fibrocystic-Breast-Disease

Fibrocystic breast conditions, formerly referred to as fibrocystic breast disease, affect about half of all women and typically present as any combination of breast nodularity, swelling, and pain. We reviewed the literature to evaluate evidence supporting nutrition interventions commonly recommended for fibrocystic breast conditions by health care providers. Randomized, controlled studies of the effectiveness of caffeine restriction fail to support any benefit in fibrocystic breast conditions. Similarly, evidence supporting evening primrose oil, vitamin E, or pyridoxine as treatments for the discomforts of fibrocystic breast conditions is insufficient to draw conclusions about effectiveness. Dietary alterations that influence the intermediate markers for fibrocystic breast conditions include low-fat (15% to 20% energy), high-fiber (30 g/day), and soy isoflavone regimens. However, our findings provide no solid evidence for secondary prevention or treatment of fibrocystic breast conditions through a dietary approach. Health care providers should limit recommendations to proven diet therapies supported by randomized, placebo-controlled trials, given the instability inherent in fibrocystic breast conditions and the near 20% placebo effect associated with intervention. Because excessive estrogen or altered sensitivity to estrogen is the dominant theory of etiology, interventions that may modulate endogenous steroid hormones warrant further investigation as potential treatments for symptomatic fibrocystic breast conditions.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Caffeine; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Dietary Fats; Dietary Fiber; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Isoflavones; Linoleic Acids; MEDLINE; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Pyridoxine; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E; Xanthines

Breast pain (mastalgia) and macroscopic breast cysts present commonly. Mastalgia may be improved by dietary manipulation to reduce saturated fat or supplement essential fatty acid intake. Fatty acid profiles were measured in women with mastalgia and breast cysts, before and during treatment with evening primrose oil, a rich source of essential fatty acids. The fatty acid profiles of both groups of patients were abnormal, with increased proportions of saturated fatty acids and reduced proportions of essential fatty acids. Treatment with evening primrose oil improved the fatty acid profiles towards normal, but this was not necessarily associated with a clinical response.

Topics: Breast Diseases; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Linoleic Acids; Oenothera biennis; Pain; Plant Oils; Recurrence

Two hundred women with breast cysts proven by aspiration were entered into a randomized double-blind trial of Efamol (evening primrose oil) at a dose of 6 capsules daily or equivalent placebo dose for a year. Cysts were categorized by initial electrolyte composition, and follow-up continued for 1 year posttherapy. Recurrent cyst formation in the first year was slightly (but not significantly) lower in the Efamol group compared with the placebo-treated group. The Efamol treatment was well tolerated as the dropout rate was only 7% and equal in both the active and placebo groups. The initial electrolyte composition did not predict for cyst recurrence.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Middle Aged; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Potassium; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Sodium