Fibroids are muscular tumor growth in the wall of the uterus. They are mostly non-cancerous and can be as small as an apple seed to as big as a grape fruit. Almost 20-80% of women develop fibroid by the age of 50 years old.
Symptoms of fibroids growth may range from abdominal pain, heavy menstruation and frequent urination. The main cause of fibroid growth is genetic and hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone.
Conventional treatments of fibroids range from wait and see if fibroids will shrink to medication and surgery. Medications normally come with undesirable side effects and surgery to remove the uterine can be extreme and do not necessary stop further growth.
Here are 7 steps you can treat fibroids naturally:
Step 1: Eat Fruits and vegetables
In the December 2011 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Lauren A Wise established the relationship between a diet high in fruits and vegetables lower incidence of fibroid in black American women.
A diet high in fiber (20-30 g per day) from fruits, vegetables and whole grain helps to reduce the circulating estrogen. Soybean has phytoestrogen, which means plant estrogen, block estrogen ability to attach to the receptor sites.
Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and kale contain indole-3-carbinol, which helps to prevent estrogen driven tumor formation.
Step 2: Eat Low Glycemic Index(GI) and Glycemic Load(GL) Food
In the May 2010 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Rose Radin showed that a diet high in Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL) potentially promote the growth of fibroid tumor by increasing the concentration of insulin-like-growth-factor-1 (IGF-1).
GI and GL are measure of carbohydrate available to raise blood sugar level. Low GI and GL foods are complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. High GI and GL food are processed carbohydrates from white rice, noodles, pasta, potato, biscuits and cakes.
Step 3: Eat more soy protein
This is a bit of controversy. In some camp, soy protein is not recommended because it is rich in isoflavone, which are estrogen like and increase the risk of fibroids.
Soy protein contains genistein, which is an isoflavone the helps reduce fibroid growth. In the January issue of Experimental Molecular Medicine, Xudong Di demonstrated that high concentration of genistein down regulate the genetic pathway involved in fibroid growth.
Step 4: Detox to reduce toxins load
Reduce the toxins load in the body by detox and cleansing of the digestive system and detox liver. In this way, the liver is not overloaded and is better able to metabolize the excess estrogen.
You can cleanse your digestive system naturally with herbs such as Senna leaves, Buckthorn bark and Uva Ursi leaves.
Strengthen the liver with liver detox herbs such as Milk Thistle and Burdock root as well as plenty of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables.
Step 5: Eat Omega-3 and Iron rich food
Omega-3 is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This will help prevent fibroid growth.
Prolong heavy menstrual flow will cause loss in iron from the body. Chlorophyll and Spirulina are good source of natural iron for the body.
Step 6: Avoid these foods
Cut down meat and dairy because they are obtained from animals that are induced with hormone for faster growth and milk production. The excess hormone from animal products helps fibroids to grow.
Cut alcohol and caffeine because they put stress on the liver to detox. This cause the liver to be less effective in metabolizing estrogen.
Step 7: Weight management
Estrogen is stored in body fat. When there is excess weight from body fat, it encourages more estrogen to be stored and cause imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. Obese and overweight women have higher risk of developing fibroids
Try out these 7 steps to treat fibroids naturally.
Do you have any other ways to treat fibroids naturally? Share with me in the comment box below.
If like this post, you can receive more by filling in the form at the right side and you will get regular tips and information coming your way.
Follow Me!