Fibroids

Introduction

Uterine fibroids are benign tumours that grow outside, inside or within the wall of the uterus (womb). Composed of muscle and fibrous tissue these growths are sometimes known as fibromyomas, leiomyomas or uterine myomas.
Scientists are still not certain why fibroids occur but there is some evidence to suggest that the over production of the hormone estrogen plays a role. As a result, most natural treatments for fibroids, including diet therapy, focuses on reducing estrogen to combat fibroid growth. Also any condition which is linked to hormones should also include a treatment to boost the liver so that it can rid the body of excess toxins efficiently.

As the use of medications are restricted for pregnant women, natural therapies are an alternative option.

What Are Fibroid Shrinking Foods?

These are foods which are part of an anti-estrogen eating plan. The idea is to include foods from your diet which are likely to encourage estrogen production and in doing so, hopefully reduce the size of fibroids, prevent further growths and reduce symptoms of fibroids. Always aim for organic produce where possible to avoid chemicals and toxins, in particular environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) which are sprayed on food plants. The following are a list of products which are recommended for women with fibroids:

• Vegetables and fruits like broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, turnip, watercress, radish and rocket (arugula). These are cruciferous vegetables which can help the liver detox and rid of the body of excess estrogens. Avoid overcooking vegetables.

• Foods which can detoxify the blood are garlic, carrots, beets and artichokes. Drink plenty of water to help with detoxification. This also helps if you suffer from breast fibroids. For more, read what are breast fibroids?

• Eat foods containing natural carotenes such as apricots, sweet potato, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin and spinach.

• Include foods rich in vitamin E in your diet including almonds, wheat germ, hazelnuts and cod liver oil.

• Green tea, which contains the useful antioxidant polyphenol, can counteract the effects of estrogen.

• Season your food with fresh rosemary and snack on pineapple. Both are a natural anti-inflammatory.

Foods To Avoid

• Any food which naturally increases estrogen levels, or which recycles estrogen into a more aggressive form. These foods include alcohol and animal fats such as red meat. Any excess fat on white meat like turkey and chicken should be trimmed before cooking. Also avoid cheese, cream, butter, ice cream and chocolate.

• Replace full fat milk with low fat milk.

• Avoid artificial sweeteners.

• Avoid Soya and Soya products as a few studies indicate that it may have estrogen boosting effects.

• Avoid ready-made entrees which are packaged in plastic containers. Plastic can leech into the food which has an effect on estrogen levels.

• Never leave a plastic food wrap on food while heating in a microwave.

Natural Alternative Remedies

• Find a good multivitamin and mineral to take daily. Choose one which offers at least 100 percent of the Daily Value (DV-indicated on the label) for vitamins: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B12, B6. It should also have 100 percent of the daily value of vitamin C, D, E and folic acid. The multivitamin should contain no more than 15,000 IUs of beta-carotene (vitamin A). It should also contain at least 18 mg of iron and at least 100 mg of magnesium.

• Omega 3, available in fish oils capsules. 5 grams a day may have benefits in regularizing hormone production. Alternatively include oily fish in your diet such as sardines, mackerel, herring and tuna.

• Soya isoflavones, can help regulate hormone levels. Take 50-100mg a day.

• A wild yam natural herb supplement may help reduce excessive bleeding. Also available in a cream it may alleviate menstrual cramps and irritability, as well as lower back and leg pain related to to the menstrual cycle.

• Calcium fluoride cell-salts and silica supplements can help break down fibroids. Take 4 of each once a day as a naturopathic remedy.

• Women usually stop ovulating around 35 to 40 years of age (perimenopause), which means the body no longer continues producing progesterone, but does continue to make estrogen. Talk to your physician about using a natural bio-identical progesterone cream which may help reduce or even reverse fibroids. It also helps to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), peri-menopause and menopause.

Interesting.

Research

A clinical test carried out in 2007 on 734 women investigated the likelihood of hysterectomy for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids, uterine bleeding or chronic pelvic pain. Nearly 50 percent of the women had suffered symptoms for more than 5 years and some had already undergone fibroids treatment (surgery to remove fibroids), while others had their uterine lining removed or had hormone treatment. The result: 13.5 percent still underwent hysterectomies within 4 years of treatment. Women with symptomatic painful fibroids were nearly twice as likely to have a hysterectomy as other women.