Top 10 Foods to Shrink Fibroids Naturally
For many ladies, the thought of having fibroids — abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus during childbearing years — is something that evokes endless nightmares.
Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) can be detected in an extraordinary number of women: projected numbers range from 20–80% being affected by the age of 50.
Uterine leiomyomas are thought to arise as a response to local inflammation in the myometrial tissue, which is the muscle layer of the uterus.
Ovarian hormones, such as estrogen, influence uterine fibroid formation by stimulating smooth muscle cell proliferation and collagen deposition.
Fibroid dimensions vary considerably, from microscopic to grapefruit-sized and many women may be asymptomatic and unaware that they have this disease.
This can be dangerous as uterine leiomyomas can ultimately cause extensive uterine bleeding, anemia, and, most devastatingly, infertility and miscarriages.
A lady suffering from uterine fibroids usually experiences the following symptoms:
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Pain in the pelvis and lower back
- Difficulty in conceiving a baby
- Frequent spotting between periods
- Constipation
- Prolonged bleeding even after 5-6 days
- Intense pain during sexual intercourse
- Frequent urge to pass urine
Studies have shown that fibroids grow at different rates, even when a woman has more than one. They can range from the size of a pea to (occasionally) the size of a watermelon.
Hormonal therapy, surgical procedures (such as myomectomy or hysterectomy), and arterial embolism are the main therapeutic options currently used to treat uterine fibroids. In the USA alone, approximately 200,000 hysterectomies and 30,000 myomectomies are performed annually. However, these treatments can have severe side effects.
Hormonal therapy can cause menopausal-like symptoms including osteoporosis and hot flushes, and hysterectomies render patients infertile. Furthermore, these treatments are expensive – they cost the USA 5.9–9.34 billion dollars annually. Clearly, there is a compelling case to develop cost-effective and efficient alternative treatments.
There is barely any need for worry if you can stick to a healing diet for non-cancerous growths. Fibroids, like several other distortions in the body system, can significantly be shrunk by taking the right food.
Increased fiber consumption from the right foods can rid excessive estrogen from the body while also checkmating excess weight. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, turnips, watercress, radish, and arugula are all great choices. With that in mind, we will now share with you 7 foods to shrink fibroid naturally.
Interesting, isn’t it? Check out some foods that can help you shrink fibroids.
1. Flaxseed
This is a plant-based food that provides healthful fat, antioxidants, and fiber. It contains lots of fibroid healing properties including phytoestrogens that help to replace harmful estrogens produced naturally by the body. This way, flaxseed thwarts estrogen dominance which facilitates the growth of fibroids in the body.
2. Garlic and Onions
If you really want to shrink fibroids in your uterus, then begin to consume onions and garlic. Both are rich sources of antioxidants that help to combat free radical damage to healthy cells in the body system including the pelvic region.
A published in the Pakistan Journal of Nutrition found that garlic, with its antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal qualities, can balance elevated estrogen levels. By extension, the lowered estrogen levels may reduce the risk of developing fibroids or stall the growth of current fibroids-at least enough to prevent them from pressing on other organs and causing abdominal pain.
With constant consumption of these herbs, you’re shutting the door against damage from free radicals — which could increase the risk of developing a number of health conditions including fibroids — in your body.
3. Non-gluten grains
Carbohydrates are necessary for energy needed to carry out day-to-day activities but you need to make sure that you choose the right carbs. Eating grains that don’t contain gluten such as brown rice, wild rice, long grain rice, buckwheat, and millet instead can be more beneficial. These grains also contain many vitamins and minerals that can help to shrink fibroids but do keep in mind that not everyone is allergic to gluten and all grains including those which contain gluten may not be an issue for those who are not allergic
4. Green tea
Green tea contains several antioxidants. A studyTrusted Source found that one of these, epigallocatechin gallate, may help slow the growth of fibroids by bringing down inflammation and high estrogen levels. Green tea may also improve symptoms of heavy bleeding due to fibroids, such as low iron.
A study conducted on August 2013 study from the International Journal of Women’s Health reported that daily supplementation with green tea extract significantly reduced the size of study participants’ uterine fibroids.
But of course, taking green tea extract in supplement form isn’t the same as drinking a cup of green tea. Not only are supplements unregulated, but their contents are much more concentrated than whole foods (or in this case, drinks). It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements.
5. Pineapple
Pineapple contains plenty of nutrients and beneficial compounds, such as vitamin C, manganese, and enzymes to help aid digestion. Eating fresh or roasted ripe pineapple may help boost immunity, lower cancer risk, and improve recovery time after surgery.
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an incredibly delicious, healthy tropical fruit. It’s packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and other helpful compounds, such as enzymes that can protect against inflammation and disease. It’s commonly eaten baked, grilled, or freshly cut.
Originating in South America, it was named by early European colonizers for its resemblance to a pine cone. Pineapple is a proven anti-inflammatory, pineapple may also reduce fibroid-induced uterine contractions and related discomfort and cramping.
As a food supplement or capsule, natural food, and other retail outlets often package and market the pineapple enzyme as Bromelain.
6. Bananas
Bananas are among the most important food crops on the planet. They come from a family of plants called Musa that are native to Southeast Asia and grown in many of the warmer areas of the world.
Bananas are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidants and phytonutrients. Many types and sizes exist. Their color usually ranges from green to yellow, but some varieties are red.
Bananas are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, pectin, magnesium, vitamins, and potassium, which are all excellent resources to fuel your body. These nutrients, coupled with bananas’ ability to reduce inflammation or swelling, can help to slow fibroid growth or symptoms.
7. Legumes
Legumes help in reducing the size of the fibroids in the uterus. They are enriched with fibers that actively flush out the excess toxins of the body. Leguminous foods also restore the normal levels of estrogen in the body, hence bringing relief to uterine fibroids. Beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas, are the best leguminous foods that help in curing uterine fibroids. So, you must include these in your diet to bring improvements to your health.
8. Potassium Rich Foods
People with fibroids are more likely to also have high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to early research in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
Friendly reminder: A high-potassium diet is helpful for driving down blood pressure because it counteracts the effects of sodium in the body.
That’s one reason why potassium-rich foods like bananas are recommended for people with fibroids. Potassium-rich foods will not only help you keep blood pressure down but will help in shrinking fibroids naturally.
9. Vitamin D
As if we needed another reason to love vitamin D. Too-low levels of the fat-soluble vitamin are associated with an increased risk of fibroids, per a July 2018 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Vitamin D likely affects fibroid risk and growth thanks to its role in gene expression. That is, by stopping certain cells from multiplying, the vitamin can block the growth of myomas. But vitamin D levels must be sufficient in order for this to work. That may be part of the reason why studies have repeatedly found that people with uterine fibroids (UF) have lower levels of vitamin D compared to people without UFs
10. Citrus
While eating plenty of produce is recommended for those with fibroids, research suggests citrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges are among the most important plants for myoma prevention.
People who ate three or more servings of citrus per week were significantly less likely to have UFs compared to people who ate citrus less than once a month, according to a December 2011 study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Conclusion: Top 10 Foods to Shrink Fibroids Naturally
Incorporating the 10 top foods to shrink fibroid into your diet is a great way to not only take care of your health but also shrink fibroid naturally.
So, why not whip up a delicious dinner today with the foods above to give your health a boost and get started on your journey toward a fibroid-free life?
