You have been experiencing abdominal pain bordering on the extreme and heavy flow during periods for some months now. Finally, you decide, “Enough is enough” and book a doctor’s appointment. Soon after, the diagnosis is revealed – you have fibroids. The world comes crashing down and you helplessly ask yourself, “What are fibroids? Is there no cure for this?”
Well, all hope is not lost as we are here at your service. In this article, we will tell you what fibroids are and also provide you with a list of foods that will help you combat fibroids.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids comprise a cluster of abnormal growths, more specifically, benign tumours, that develop in the uterine tissue of women. These tumours constitute fibrous connective tissue and smooth muscle cells and have shapes ranging from a pea to a watermelon.
Should you be worried or scared?
No need to feel scared as of yet. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of women develop uterine fibroids in their lifetime but not all display symptoms and, therefore, evade treatment. Most importantly, fibroids are not cancerous and have the least likelihood of metastasizing into cancer. However, fibroids can cause a range of health problems, including, but not limited to miscarriages, anaemia, constipation, severe menstrual pain and bleeding – this is why it becomes imperative to treat this condition as soon as it is detected.
Some other commonly used names of fibroids are as follows:
- Fibromas
- Myomas
- Leiomyomas
- Uterine myomas
Take a look at the amazing foods that help alleviate the severe symptoms of fibroids:
Full disclosure: the foods listed below would not help you cure or prevent fibroids overnight. Dealing with fibroids required careful consideration of your diet and lifestyle choices. Follow a well-thought-out diet to balance your hormones and manage fibroid-associated symptoms. You might have the interest to look at the Good wellness tips post about shrink fibroids fast with right foods.
Get your Vitamin D
Scientists have revealed that ample Vitamin D in your diet helps reduce the risk of experiencing fibroids by approximately 32 percent. Although your body is naturally equipped to generate Vitamin D when exposed to direct sunlight, our sedentary lifestyles make it an unreachable dream. Those with high melanin content in their skin and those who live in cooler environments are most likely to be Vitamin D deficient. Some food items that you can try out for a healthy source of Vitamin D are fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and tuna, fortified orange juice and cereals, cod liver oil and fortified dairy products.
Cruciferous vegetables
Vegetables such as bok choy, watercress, cabbage, arugula, broccoli, radish and turnips help detoxify your liver. This, in turn, reduces the chances of experiencing inflamed fibroids. Our pro tip will be to avoid overcooking of these vegetables so that most of the nutrients are retained in their purest form.
Go Mediterranean with your diet
Multiple research studies have proven that a Mediterranean diet helps marginally lower your risk of developing fibroids. But what is a Mediterranean diet all about, you ask? It’s pretty simple really. You have to add an ample amount of fresh green vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, nuts, whole grains, herbs, breads, seafood, seeds and extra virgin olive oil to your diet. Apart from this, you are allowed to eat cheese, poultry, yoghurt, and eggs in moderation and red meat on rare occasions. The Mediterranean diet recommends shunning processed meat, refined oils, sugary and fizzy beverages, and a plethora of highly processed foods. It isn’t easy, we agree, but it is needed.
Fibre-rich foods
These food items follow a two-pronged approach in alleviating fibroid symptoms – they balance hormones and promote weight loss while maintaining blood sugar at steady levels. Here are the foods rich in fibre that you should try out: beans, cooked, dried and raw fruits and vegetables, barley, whole grain bread, lentils, and oats.
As sad as it sounds, your chance of developing fibroids increases as you start aging. Family history, an unbalanced diet, and bad lifestyle choices can all be innocuous triggers that lead to fibroids. Make a conscious and heartfelt effort to incorporate the food items listed above into your life, and we promise that you will see a significant difference in your body and mind!