Many women get fibroids in their uterus. These are lumps that are not cancer, but they can cause heavy periods, pain, and bloating. While you should see a doctor for treatment, eating the right foods can help. Here are seven foods that may help shrink fibroids and make you feel better.
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How Food Helps with Fibroids
Fibroids grow bigger when you have too much estrogen (a hormone) in your body. Eating healthy foods can balance your hormones, reduce swelling, and may slow down fibroid growth.
1. Green Vegetables Like Broccoli and Kale
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale are great for fighting fibroids. These vegetables help your body get rid of extra estrogen.
Why they help: Too much estrogen makes fibroids grow. These green vegetables help your liver clean out the extra estrogen you don’t need.
How to eat them: Try to eat these vegetables 2-3 times every day. You can steam them, roast them, or eat them raw in salads.
2. Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are full of vitamins and healthy things that fight swelling in your body.
Why they help: Berries have special things in them that can help control cell growth and reduce swelling in your uterus. They also have fiber that helps balance your hormones.
How to eat them: Add a cup of berries to your breakfast, put them in smoothies, or eat them as a snack.
3. Fish Like Salmon
Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and other oily fish have healthy fats called omega-3s that reduce swelling in your body.
Why they help: Omega-3s help reduce pain and swelling caused by fibroids. Women who eat more of these fish often have fewer fibroids.
How to eat them: Eat fish like salmon 2-3 times each week. Grill it, bake it, or cook it in other healthy ways.
4. Flaxseeds
These tiny seeds are full of good things that help balance your hormones.
Why they help: Flaxseeds help block the strong estrogen that makes fibroids grow. They also have fiber that helps your body get rid of extra hormones.
How to eat them: Grind 1-2 tablespoons every day and add them to smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt. Your body can use ground flaxseeds better than whole ones.
5. Green Tea
Green tea has special things in it that can help stop fibroids from growing.
Why it helps: Studies show that green tea may slow down fibroid growth and even help shrink them. It also helps balance your hormones and reduces swelling.
How to drink it: Have 2-3 cups of green tea every day. Let it sit in hot water for 3-5 minutes before drinking.
6. Beans and Lentils
Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and other beans give you protein, fiber, and important vitamins.
Why they help: Beans have lots of fiber that helps control your blood sugar and hormone levels. They also keep you full longer, which helps you stay at a healthy weight.
How to eat them: Eat beans or lentils 3-4 times each week. Add them to soups, salads, or eat them as a main dish.
7. Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions add flavor to your food and help reduce swelling in your body.
Why they help: Garlic and onions help your liver clean out extra hormones. Some studies show they may help slow down tumor growth.
How to eat them: Use garlic and onions when cooking. Raw garlic is the best, but cooked garlic and onions are still very good for you.
Foods to Eat Less Of
While eating good foods, you should also eat less of these:
- Red meat: Eating too much can increase your fibroid risk
- Processed foods: Have bad fats and things that cause swelling
- Sugar: Can cause swelling in your body
- Alcohol: Can raise your estrogen levels
- Full-fat dairy: Can mess up your hormones
Other Ways to Help
Besides eating right, try these things:
- Stay at a healthy weight: Extra body fat makes more estrogen
- Exercise often: Helps balance hormones and reduce swelling
- Reduce stress: Too much stress affects your hormones
- Drink water: Helps your body clean itself
- Get vitamin D: Low vitamin D is linked to more fibroids
When to Call Your Doctor
Eating healthy foods can help, but don’t skip seeing your doctor. Call your doctor if you have:
- Very heavy periods or bleeding that lasts a long time
- Bad pain in your belly or pelvis
- Trouble using the bathroom
- Feeling very tired for no reason
- Fibroids that grow fast
What You Need to Know
Eating these seven foods can help you manage fibroids naturally. They balance your hormones, reduce swelling, and give your body good nutrients. Food alone won’t cure fibroids, but it’s a great way to help your body.
Everyone is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. Talk to your doctor or a food expert to make a plan that’s right for you. The key is to keep eating these healthy foods every day.
Important: This article is just for information. It’s not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before changing your diet or if you’re worried about fibroids.
