Pelvic pressure, heavy bleeding, frequent urination… sounds like the world’s worst party! But for the millions of women who have uterine fibroids it can often be just par for the course. Fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are non-cancerous growths that occur within or just outside a woman’s uterus. They develop when normal uterine cells begin to multiply abnormally. The increased number of cells forms a benign tumor. Experts estimate that as many as 1 in 4 women of childbearing age will develop uterine fibroids.
Surgery isn’t always the best course of action, and increasingly women are turning to the alternative health community for advice on how to manage these pesky uterine protrusions.
Surgery is just one of the many treatment options that can help women address the symptoms of uterine fibroids, which can range from mildly annoying to life altering. However, surgery isn’t always the best course of action, and increasingly women are turning to the alternative health community for advice on how to manage these pesky uterine protrusions.
Diet
Certain foods can play a crucial role in your anti-fibroid plan, and it won’t be any surprise that the majority of beneficial food choices fall into the fruits and vegetable category. Whenever possible opt for organic produce to avoid exposure to environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) which are a component of many pesticides used on conventionally grown crops.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and kale, to name just a few, are great for liver detoxification and can maximize the body’s ability to flush out extra estrogens. One tip: Don’t overcook these types of vegetables. Not only will it affect the flavor, this cooking practice can result in vital nutrient loss.
Blood detoxifying vegetables such as garlic, carrots and artichokes are beneficial as well as delicious. Be sure to drink lots of water to help with the detox process!
Vegetables and fruits containing natural carotenes such as sweet potatoes, spinach, cantaloupe and pumpkin have antioxidant properties which can help the body address inflammation.
The study determined that green tea extract was both safe and effective in relieving symptoms and lauded the remedy for being inexpensive and easy to administer. Time to put the kettle on!
Green tea contains polyphenol, a powerful antioxidant which has been shown to combat the negative effects of estrogen. Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., 28 Aug. 2007. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. /article/practice-section/relief-for-fibroids/
Keville, Kathi, and Robert Rountree, MD. “Q & A: Herbs for Uterine Fibroids.” www.motherearthliving.com. Ogden Publications, Inc., May-June 2002. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. /health-and-wellness/herbs-for-uterine-fibroids.aspx
Roemheld-Hamm B. “Chasteberry” Am Fam Physician. 2005 Sep 1;72(5):821-4. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16156340
“Acupuncture: What You Need To Know.” NCCIH. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dec. 2007. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction
