Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast with or without an infection. So, your immune system is fighting off an inflammatory condition and an infection probably. There are foods that help your immune system to fight off infections, food that prevents clogged ducts and mastitis and food that can treat mastitis:
Onions And Garlic: Onions and garlic has some effect on inflammation, it has antimicrobial effect, reduces the pain and inflammation. This helps in mastitis. You should eat it raw to get the maximum benefit. You can include it in your soup, salad or have it as a drink. Cooking can destroy these properties in onions and garlic.
Horseradish: Horseradish gives your body the energy that is required to fight of infections. It also increase the blood supply to the areas that are infected or inflamed, which will make the healing process fast. It gives antibiotic effects when it’s broken down in the stomach. Have horseradish as a juice, include little bit of vinegar to enhance the effects.
Grapefruit Seed Extract: Grapefruits seed has antimicrobial properties and it prevents infections from bacteria and fungi. This can help if you have clogged ducts to prevent getting mastitis. You need to dilute the extract and have it.
Vitamin C: There are many fruits which contain vitamin C like oranges, lemons, lime, and pineapple. Vitamin C makes your immune system strong. You can have these as fruits in your diet or you can have it as fresh juices. If you are buying juices make sure it’s 100% natural and organic without any additives. Even after complete cure of mastitis have oranges at least 2 to 3 times per week. Well, you can have vitamin C tablets also, but it’s best if you have natural food sources for vitamin C.
Honey: Honey has antimicrobial properties, by releasing hydrogen peroxide which kills the microbes and other foreign elements. Start your day with a tea spoon of honey and water and this can help your mastitis as well.
Apple-Cider Vinegar: Apple-cider vinegar contains malic acid, acetic acid and citric acid. These have antimicrobial properties and helps to destroy infections.
Fresh Vegetables And Fruits: Have the above mentioned food more along with fresh organic vegetables and fruits. These contains lots of vitamins, electrolytes, minerals that are helpful to the immune system and body cells to fight off infections and some contains antimicrobial properties as well.
Hydration: Adequate hydration is important prevent plugged/clogged ducts. So, have ample amounts of water and other fluids. Make sure to drink something each time you breastfeed or pump milk.
Food That Contains Iron: Having low iron can make you more prone for infections and plugged ducts. So, have plenty of green leaves/vegetables (spinach, broccoli, beans, chard, and lentil), red meat, liver and fish. With these food have something that contain vitamin C to increase absorption.
Food With Lecithin: Lecithin has shown to be effective for recurrent plugged ducts this can prevent mastitis. Lecithin is found more in organ meats, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked green vegetables and legumes.
Probiotics: Studies show that probiotics are helpful in treating infectious mastitis. Probiotics has shown to reduce the recurrence as well.
Summary
Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast with or without an infection. So, your immune system is fighting off an inflammatory condition and an infection probably. There are food that help your immune system to fight off infections such as onions, garlic, horseradish, honey, grapefruit seed extract, vitamin C and apple-cider vinegar. Food that prevents clogged ducts and mastitis such as green leaves, vegetables, red meat, liver, seafood, eggs, legumes and hydration with water and fluids. Studies show that probiotics are helpful in treating infectious mastitis.
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