Uterine fibroids, like breast fibro cysts, may be a product of estrogen dominance (too much estrogen). Estrogens are made within our bodies and outside our bodies.
Within our bodies, estrogen is manufactured mostly in the ovaries and by the placenta, when a woman is pregnant. The liver, breasts and adrenal glands also contribute to estrogen production, although in smaller quantities.
Multiple dietary and nutritional factors have the ability to influence estrogen synthesis, as well as estrogen metabolism.”Incorporating dietary changes with the use of select nutritional supplements can have profound effects in beneficially influencing estrogen balance and thus preventing estrogen-related”.
Our first step is to Detoxify our bodies, or better yet, give a brake and a hand to our Liver for it to be able to perform the Detox job it was assigned the moment we were born into this world!
1-Day-Detox:
You may want to follow this for at least one solid week:
_ ½ a squeezed lemon with a pinch of cayenne pepper in a cup of warm water. Take upon waking, first thing in the morning
_ Vegetable Juice: 24 oz. Make the juice from cabbage, cucumber, carrot/greens, celery, turnip, asparagus, beet/greens, parsley, apple, aloe vera, ½ ginger root. (Split up into 3 portions and drink thorough the day).
_ Vegetable Broth: 24oz. You can make the broth from as many of the following items:
collards, Swiss chard, kale, mustard greens, cabbage, dandelion, brussel sprout, Swiss chard, watercress, seaweed (any type), shitake mushroom, cilantro, garlic, leek, fennel, (1/4 spoon), anise (1-2 pieces), ginger (3 slices), turmeric (1/4 spoon). (Divide into 3 portions and drink thorough the day).
_ Supplement with 1tsp of either flax seed oil or deep sea fish oil.
_ 1 cup of liquid before bed time: 8oz of warm water,1tsp of baking soda, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp maple syrup.
14-DAY DETOX WITH MEAL REPLACEMENTS
For more information about this option, please visit my website
NUTRITIONAL RE-ADJUSTMENT
Since the uterus is estrogen–sensitive, any dietary approach that counteracts estrogen dominance often works for fibroids.
I usually recommend a diet centered on:
. Whole foods,
. Fresh fruits and vegetables,
. Nuts and seeds,
. Whole grains
. Good quality proteins (lean/organic) and healthy fats.
. Organic fruits and vegetables, are always the best choice.
ANTI-ESTROGENIC FOODS
Anti-estrogenic foods are found in fiber-rich diets. These kind of diets can assist in extracting excessive estrogen stores from the body.
Why Phytoestrogens?
Phytoestrogens are fiber-rich foods which have shown to decrease the effects of estrogen levels naturally by blocking the estrogen receptors on the cells in fibroids and other estrogen-sensitive tissues.
Studies have shown that eating soy and flax helps the body produce smaller amounts of unhealthy estrogens. Flaxseed is high in both fiber and omega-3 fats, which help reduce inflammation and tumor growth throughout the body and rid the body of toxins, including excess estrogen.
The two main classes of phytoestrogens are the isoflavones and lignans.
Lignins, found in all whole grains, are anti-estrogenic. Lignins are present in decreasing order in:
. flaxseed,
. rye,
. buckwheat,
. millet,
. oats,
. barley,
. brown rice.
. corn,
Also….
. Incorporate pinto beans, split peas, lima beans, black beans and kidney beans into your diet to diminish estrogen levels and thwart fibroid growth. Eat at least one helping of beans every day.
. Eat one serving of nattokinase soy beans every day to help shrink fibroid tissue.
Isoflavones– Soy is perhaps the most common food source of isoflavones, but others include:
. legumes,
. alfalfa,
. clover,
. licorice (already present in most of your herbal formula), and
. kudzu root (also known as Ge Gen)
Other beneficial Phytonutrients are:
. Curcumin is a polyphenol complex from the curry spice turmeric.
. Rosemary may also enhance estrogen detoxification.
What about MEAT?
If possible, eliminate or reduce meats from your diet and increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables to keep estrogen levels at an all-time low.
Get enough Omega-3 fats. The main source of omega-3s are fatty fish (especially wild salmon), eggs, nuts, seeds, sea vegetables, and green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, collards, and kale.
Unprocessed vegetable oils (most notably flaxseed, macadamia nut, and hempseed oils) are also good sources.
There has been an increasing concern about mercury found in fish which has proven to stay in a your bloodstream for over a year. Fish that’s high in mercury includes white tuna, shark, frozen swordfish and marlin.
Fish that contain low levels of mercury include salmon, flounder, trout, haddock, tilapia, and canned chunk light tuna (not albacore).
Experts recommend to incorporate a serving of fish into your diet at least three times a week. They also suggest to include helpings of salmon, mackerel and cold-water fish to reduce inflamed tissues and fibroid irritation.
Always follow your local government advisory. If in doubt, take good quality fish oil supplements instead. I like Metagenics and Designs for Health.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DRINK?
. Drink pure, filtered water. Good hydration is essential for your body to thrive! Dr Northrup recommends one ounce of water per every two pounds of weight. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, drink 70 oz of water per day. (1 cup contains around 8 oz of water).
I recommend that you get a water double filter. “Aquasana” filters have very good reviews. Make sure to avoid plastic water bottles since they tend to leach plastic into the water, a dangerous xenoestrogen which has the potential to create hormonal imbalances. You can get a stainless steel water bottle.
An Unhealthy food plan approach- What could make you sick?
. First and foremost, avoid Xenoestrogens (estrogens not produced by our bodies).
. Avoid preservatives and other chemicals, such as artificial sweeteners, should be avoided because they affect blood sugar levels and hormonal balance. Foods high in fat should also not be consumed.
. Avoid Sodas. This includes Diet soda which contains aspartame.
. Avoid Caffeine: You may want to enjoy green tea instead which is quite rich in antioxidants! Limit your intake of green tea to 2 cups a day.
. Refined carbs, such as white bread, pasta and rice, should be limited. These foods lack nutrients, such as iron and B vitamins. Rye and whole-wheat sourdough breads are good options. Always choose whole grains over refined ones.
. Minimize consumption of sweets. I would rather eliminate them altogether. They create havoc in our bodies; they specially interfere with insulin levels which in turn will create imbalances in our hormonal environment making it harder to create a healthy environment in the uterus.
If craving sweets, you may want try small portions of dark chocolate with higher cacao content (50% or more).
. Avoid chemical additives such as aspartame and MSG.
. Avoid partially hydrogenated fats: which occur mainly in packaged foods.
. Avoid high-fat milk and cheeses. These foods tend to create dampness in your body. I suggest you have Almond milk (unsweetened) or rice milk.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST……
Get enough natural light. Light is a nutrient that affects our overall health. Make sure to enjoy the morning or evening hours or use full-spectrum light bulbs that recreate all the frequencies of natural light.
Exercise! Movement is inherent to our human race. Have fun walking uphill, visiting the trees or walking on soft sand by the ocean. All of these activities will allow for blood flow in your pelvic area, a cost-effective way to reduce stagnation in your creative uterus!
…AND ALWAYS REMEMBER….
The Uterus is energetically related to our innermost sense of self and our inner world. It is symbolic of our dreams and all that we want and need to give birth to….
Let’s honor our wombs by listening to its messages!!
With you, Yamin Chehin L.Ac.;Dipl O.M.
References
“Nutritional Influences on Estrogen Metabolism” By Douglas C. Hall, M. D. http://www.funimky.com/research_estrogen.htm
“Mother-Daughter wisdom” Christiane Northrup
“The Tao of Fertility”, Daoshing Ni
Healing Cycles 