I had a fibroid removed from my uterus four years ago via a laparoscopic myomectomy surgery. During a routine yearly ultrasound scan of my uterus recently, my gynae detected a small fibroid in my uterus, measuring about 1.2 cm. I couldn’t believe my luck! I admit that I haven’t been eating as healthily as I should have been throughout the time we were quarantined at home when the movement control order was imposed in March last year. The stress of being cooped up at home and other life’s stressors must have contributed to the growth of another fibroid. It could also be caused by the overproduction of estrogen. One of the ways to prevent the growth of fibroid is to reduce estrogen in the body but we may be unknowingly receiving estrogen from the foods we eat. Fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides and animals fed with antibiotics and growth hormones have been known to be hormone-disrupting in humans.
Foods that have zero or low in estrogen as well as those that support the liver should be consumed to prevent further growth of the fibroid. If you could afford it, organic fruits, vegetables and meat are a better option.
While you cannot totally prevent fibroids, your doctor may suggest modifying your diet, which might help slow fibroid growth or ease fibroid symptoms. Foods to eat if you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids include:
1. Cruciferous vegetables help the liver detox. Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, turnips, watercress, radish and arugula are all great choices. Avoid overcooking these vegetables so that they retain most of their nutrients.
2. Foods to help detoxify your body are also recommended. Garlic, carrots, beets and drinking plenty of water will help with detoxification.
3. Potassium-rich foods such as avocado, tomatoes and bananas
4. Foods that contain carotenes should be added to your diet for fibroids. Apricots, sweet potato, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin and spinach are all sufficient sources.
5. Eat foods containing vitamin E, like almonds, wheat germ, hazelnuts and cod liver oil.
6. Natural anti-inflammatory foods can help as well. Pineapple and fresh rosemary have been shown to help decrease inflammation.
7. An antioxidant called polyphenol, which is found in green tea, can help to counteract the effects of estrogen.
8. Consider taking a multivitamin every day. Look for one that has 100% daily value for vitamins: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B12 and B6. Vitamins C, D, E and folic acid should also be included, as well as a max of 15,000 IUs of beta-carotene (vitamin A).
Avoid these foods, which may lead to weight gain and fibroid growth:
1. Soy products have been shown to increase estrogen levels, so cut these out from your diet.
2. High-sugar foods like fruit juice, soda, candies.
3. Highly processed foods like white bread or energy bars
4. Phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in the body, such as alcohol, red meat and chocolate
5. Avoid storing food in plastic containers. Studies have shown that plastic can leech into the food from the containers, which will influence estrogen levels in your body when consumed.
Living with fibroids can be uncomfortable and painful. You may even be anaemic as a result of heavy menstruation. While you are advised to go easy on red meat, you however need the iron to treat anaemia. I am anaemic and I take Sangobion to replenish iron stores and increase red blood cell levels in my body.
Doing everything you can at home to benefit your body in the fight against fibroids can help improve your biological system and decrease the symptoms of fibroids that you experience. Make sure to speak with you doctor about managing your fibroids and about any drastic dietary changes. Adding and eliminating certain foods to help regulate levels of estrogen in your body may assist in managing fibroids until you are able to undergo a permanent solution.
