Diet to Shrink Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous uterine tumors that normally grow during child-bearing years. According to the Mayo Clinic, as many as 3 out of 4 women will experience uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. They usually shrink after a women reaches menopause because of the decrease in estrogen levels. The Mayo Clinic states that estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that stimulate development of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy, appear to promote the growth of fibroids. Fibroids contain more estrogen and estrogen receptors than do normal uterine muscle cells.

Estrogen

There is increasing concern that the estrogen found in the foods we eat may be creating a hormonal imbalance. According to Dr. Elizabeth Smith from fibroid101.com, artificial estrogen compounds are regularly used in agricultural farming to fatten up cattle and chickens. Some experts believe that this estrogen is stored in the animals fat and later consumed by humans. The European Union has had a long-standing ban against US and Canadian beef, based on their findings about the effects of estrogen. Women attempting to shrink uterine fibroids should reduce or eliminate estrogen-containing foods from their diet. You should choose organic meats, poultry and dairy that does not contain synthetic estrogen.

Fats

Women with uterine fibroids should limit their consumption of saturated fats acquired from meats, dairy, sugar and alcohol. According to Diana Barnes Brown of fibroids1.com, saturated fats place additional stress on the liver, which decreases the effectiveness of the liver to break down hormones in the body and prevent them from reaching dangerous levels, including the hormone estrogen. Increase consumption of foods that contain high levels of essential fatty acids, such as nuts, flax seeds, fish, fruits and vegetables.

Vitamins

Consume foods that are high in iron. This offers additional benefits to women whose uterine fibroids cause anemia because of excessive menstrual bleeding. Foods that contain high amounts of iron include fortified bran and yeast, molasses, spinach, kale, seeds and nuts. According to Dr. Marilyn Glennville from the Natural Health Website for Women, diets to shrink uterine fibroids should consist of foods containing high levels of vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A, which aids in the production of red blood cells, can be found in abundance in egg yolks, fortified dairy or dairy substitutes. Vitamin C strengthens blood capillaries and reduces bleeding, and can be found in abundance in citrus fruits and leafy vegetables. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps to eliminate free radicals, is found in various vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.