Q: Do breast enhancement supplements really work? Are they safe?
A: Breast enhancement supplements usually contain herbs with female hormones (phytoestrogens). There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of herbs that contain phytoestrogens. Not many have been studied for their potential beneficial or toxic effects. The most commonly known phytoestrogens occur in soy and black cohosh. These are much less potent than your body's natural estrogen, and therefore may actually have the opposite effect in the breasts, causing a decrease in size. No studies have been able to ensure that phytoestrogens don't increase the risks of breast cancer. So my advice is to avoid so-called “breast enhancing supplements” until the research proves that they are safe.
Q: Should people who drink alcohol regularly take milk thistle? If so, what dosage would you recommend? Does milk thistle help to protect the liver from toxins?
A: Many studies have demonstrated that milk thistle has been shown to protect against liver damage from a variety of toxins. For example, it has been shown to prevent cirrhosis in baboons that were fed high doses of alcohol over a three-year period. People who drink regularly but in low amounts may not need milk thistle. One or two alcoholic beverages per day have been shown to be safe, and may even prevent certain diseases. I would consider milk thistle for patients who drink more than three drinks per day and refuse to stop drinking. The reported dose of milk thistle for active alcoholic hepatitis is 240 mg twice daily. There is no current recommended dosage for prevention of cirrhosis. Caution is advised for patients taking contraceptives – milk thistle has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of these medications. Patients taking benzodiazepines (Valium, etc.), ketoconizole, statins and warfarin should be advised that milk thistle may increase the levels of these medications, increasing the possibility of side effects.
Q: Should I take flaxseed oil if I have cancer? Is it similar to fish oil?
A: Flaxseed oil is a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids, and its benefits are similar to fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering essential fatty acids. Our bodies cannot make them ourselves, so we must get them from dietary sources. Flaxseed and fish are not contraindicated in cancer, and because they offer anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, they may prove beneficial in cancer prevention and helpful in treatment. Fish oil has been shown to help reduce recurrent cardiovascular disease and to decrease symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. If your diet is primarily plant-based, I suggest taking either flaxseed or fish oil. If your diet resembles the standard American diet (SAD), I recommend taking fish oil. The body processes fish oil easier than flaxseed oil in the presence of animal fats, trans fats and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Tanya Edwards, M.D., M.Ed., is the Medical Director for the Center for Integrative Medicine and is a staff member in the Department of Family Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. As a Family Practice physician, she sees patients at the Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center, and will begin wellness consultations at the new Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center. For the past seven years, she has been teaching complementary and alternative medicine courses at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
