Natural Alternative for Treating Fibroids

December 8, 2003

Natural Alternative for Treating Fibroids

When a woman asks her doctor

what can be done to treat her fibroids, she is often told that she

needs a hysterectomy. Although fibroids occur commonly—approximately

40 percent of women have fibroids by mid-life—as a general

rule, they don’t create problems. The fact

is, many fibroids will likely shrink and may even disappear with

menopause. Sadly, fibroid removal accounts for nearly one-third

of all hysterectomies performed annually in the United States. Many

of these are completely unnecessary.

If you happened to be a few years away from menopause, I recommend

using my natural approach to treating fibroid tumors. I have found

that simply adjusting your diet and using nutritional supplements

has worked wonders for most women, and keeps them off the operating

table.

Change Your Diet

No therapy can be fully effective if you have poor eating habits.

You need a wide range of nutrients to help balance your hormones

and reduce your estrogen levels, decrease cramping and inflammation,

and generally improve your physical and mental well-being. Increasing

your intake of the foods listed below will provide the necessary

nutrients to produce these effects.

• Whole Grains are excellent sources of B vitamins, as well

  as vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Fiber in whole

  grains absorbs estrogen, helps remove it from the body, and normalizes

  bowel function.
  

• Legumes contain fiber and are high in calcium, magnesium,

  and potassium. I am especially fond of soybeans, which help regulate

  estrogen levels.
  

• Fruits and Vegetables contain a wide range of nutrients

  that can relieve menstrual cramps, including vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
  

• Seeds and nuts, especially flaxseed and pumpkin seeds,

  are wonderful sources of essential fatty acids (EFAs), the raw materials

  necessary for the production of prostaglandins.
  

• Fish contains linolenic acid and is an excellent source

  of minerals, especially iodine and potassium. Salmon, tuna, mackerel,

  and trout are especially good for women with menstrual cramps.
  

• Oils containing vitamin E help to balance mood, and ease

  fatigue and cramps that occur at the onset of menstruation for women

  with fibroids. Good oil sources include sesame seeds and wheat germ.
  

• Avoid saturated fats; dairy products such as yogurt, milk,

  cheese, and cottage cheese; salt; refined sugar; caffeine; and alcohol.

Use Supplements

Nutritional supplements can help balance hormones and reduce estrogen

levels. When used properly, they can dramatically reduce bleeding,

pain, and cramps that may accompany fibroids. In particular, I suggest

using:

• Vitamin A. In one study of 71 women,

  those with excessive bleeding had significantly lower blood levels

  of vitamin A than the normal population. I recommend 5,000

  IU per day of vitamin A, as beta-carotene.

• B-complex vitamins help regulate

  estrogen levels and reduce menstrual pain and cramps. I recommend

  50 to 100 mg of B-complex vitamins daily, with an additional dose

  of 100 to 300 mg of vitamin B6.

• Vitamin E. I have found vitamin

  E to be useful in treating women with heavy menstrual bleeding

  from fibroids and endometriosis. I recommend 400 to 800 IU

  per day.

• Calcium and Magnesium. Your uterus

  is made up of muscle, and muscles deficient in these two minerals

  are more likely to cramp. Calcium maintains muscle tone, and magnesium

  optimizes calcium in your system by increasing its absorption.

  I recommend taking 800 mg of calcium and 400 mg of magnesium

  a day.

• Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids have

  been used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. I recommend 1,000

  to 5,000 mg of vitamin C and 750 to 2,000 mg of bioflavonoids

  per day.

• Vitex, or chaste tree berry, normalizes

  the secretion of hormones and helps to bring estrogen and progesterone

  into balance. Take 225 mg per day.