Breast lumps

• Essential fatty acid deficiency
• Tea, coffee, cola and chocolate consumption.

Women with premenstrual syndrome and/or breast disease were found to have consistently lower levels of omega-6 essential fatty acid metabolites in cell membranes than normal women, suggesting a reduced conversion of linoleic acid to GLA. Horrobin DF et al: Abnormalities in plasma essential fatty acid levels in women with premenstrual syndrome and with non-malignant breast disease. J Nutr Med 2:259-264, 1991.

Women suffering from painful fibrocystic breast disease were counselled to abstain from or reduce caffeine consumption. Of those who succeeded, 61 per cent reported a decrease in or loss of breast pain. Russell LC: Caffeine restriction as initial treatment for breast pain. Nurse Pract 14(2):36-7, 40, 1989.