I am on a natural healing newsletter list and this month the subject is:

Uterine Fibroids-A Natural Approach

If you’ve been troubled by fibroid tumors, lumps that develop in the uterus, or if you’re concerned about fibroids, put down that cold cut sandwich and stop slicing into that juicy steak.  A diet high in estrogen-rich foods, such as meats and cheeses, may increase a woman’s risk of benign uterine fibroid tumors, a prevalent problem that may strike 25% to 50% of women (Lee, pg. 127).

Though 99% of these tumors are benign, enlarged fibroids can cause back and abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, anemia, fatigue, constipation, painful sex and infertility.  These growths, which can form on the interior muscular wall and the exterior of the uterus, frequently occur in clumps and tend to enlarge and distort the uterus.  Even tiny fibroids can cause pain and abnormal bleeding (pg. 127).

Fibroids tend to form when a woman is in her late thirties and early forties, though they can develop at any time and tend to shrink after menopause, when natural estrogen levels drop significantly.  High estrogen levels may spur the onset of fibroids.  “Estrogen dominance....is a primary cause of fibroids.  A common source of estrogen dominance is hypothyroidism because an underactive thyroid leads to a progesterone deficiency which throws the hormonal ratio askew” (pg. 127). “Further
evidence in support of the estrogen dominance theory is the fact that fibroids develop following the onset of menstruation, enlarge during pregnancy, and shrink after menopause” (Goldberg, pg. 87).

Say No to Estrogen:

When researchers compared the diets of 800 women with fibroids to 1500 women with no history of fibroids, they discovered that those who ate a largely meat-based diet had a 70% greater risk for fibroids than women who ate little meat (Obstet and Gynecol, 9/99).  Some experts believe that the estrogens in meat may encourage fibroid development.

Estrogen-rich foods seemed to trigger the development of fibroids.  Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D. reported that women with the most severe cases of endometriosis and fibroids were heavy consumers of cheese, ice cream, butter, milk and meat.  Several of her patients had their fibroids shrink after they eliminated these foods. (Colbin, p.154).

In addition, James F. Balch, MD, suggest avoiding high-estrogen level oral contraceptives.  “High-estrogen birth control pills may stimulate the growth of fibroid tumors,” say Dr. Balch.  “Consider other forms of contraception” (Balch and Balch, pg. 182).

Change Poor Nutritional Habits:

Poor nutritional habits can alter and slow down the body’s metabolization and detoxification of estrogens and their elimination.  Alcohol, white sugar, caffeine and other junk foods, slow down the metabolism of estrogens in the liver.  “The liver metabolizes estrogen so it can be eliminated from the body by converting it to estriol, a weaker form of estrogen that has very little ability to stimulate the uterus.  If the liver cannot effectively metabolize estradiol, this may be one mechanism by which the uterus becomes overestrogenized and responds with fibroid growths” (Hudson, pg. 154). 

Eating foods high in fiber and vitamins such as brown rice, buckwheat, millet, rye, dark green leafy vegetables, and fruits can help in providing the raw materials for the liver to carry out its metabolic processes and regulate estrogen levels. 

“Because there may be an association between having uterine fibroids and a fourfold increase in the risk of endometrial cancer, three dietary considerations stand out above all else: increase the fiber, lower the dietary fat, and increase legumes” (pg. 154).  

Nutritional Supplements:

Nutritional supplements that promote immune function and reduce inflammation can be of great help in reducing abnormal bleeding, uterine cramping, urinary frequency and digestive problems. 

Acidophilus, bifidus, other “friendly” intestinal bacteria and enzymes can be beneficial because they “tag excess estrogen for elimination and help flush toxic chemicals from the colon” (Goldberg, pg.85).

Dr. Hudson, ND says that the logic for the treatment of uterine fibroids is similar to the logic for the treatment of cancer.  Enzyme supplementation
have been used at the Contreras Clinic in Mexico as part of a cancer treatment protocol to digest the cell membrane surrounding the malignant cells.  “In the case of uterine fibroids, the theory is that the enzymes will help to digest the fibrous/smooth muscle tissue and dissolve the fibroids.  When used for this purpose, the enzyme supplement must be taken between meals rather than with meals.  Dose...4 capsules 3 times per day between meals” (Hudson, pg. 154).

Wild crafted Blue Green Algae is a food supplement that is brimming with vital nutrients, and contains all eight essential amino acids.  It’s protein content is more than any other plant source-a whopping 70 percent.  A 1986 study by Troxler and Saffer concluded that wild blue green algae has cytostatic activity, which means it suppresses the formation of and destroys cancer cells.  Another study carried out at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada in 1998, concluded that within two hours after eating 1.5 grams of wild blue green algae, an average of 40% of the bloods natural killer cells left the bloodstream and migrated into the tissues.  Natural killer cells have the ability to recognize cells that are cancerous or that have been infected by a virus.  The strategy used by natural killer cells is a drastic one-they directly approach cancerous or virally-infected cells and release strong free radicals in their immediate environment.  The free radicals create a hole in the cell, and the cell then dies.  The dead cell is later eaten by another kind of immune cell-the macrophages-the scavengers of the body (Bruno, pgs. 18-20). 

“If B vitamins are lacking in the diet, the liver is missing some of the raw materials it needs to carry out its metabolic processes and regulate estrogen levels” (Hudson, pg. 154).  Wild crafted Blue Green Algae is also one of the highest foods in the B vitamins.

Wheat grass:  A good source of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.  It can nourish the blood and aid the liver in detoxification.

Turmeric:  Helps tone the liver and is known as a liver regenerator.

Coenzyme Q10:  To supply oxygen to the liver.  A potent liver protector.  Look for Q10 microblended with organic flax oil.

Wheat Sprouts: To promote liver cell regeneration.  Use wheat sprouts micro-blended with blue green algae and red marine algae.

Wait and See:

Once upon a time, even if a woman exhibited relatively few symptoms, a hysterectomy was the recommended course of treatment for fibroids.   Unfortunately,  this trend continues today.  In fact, “hysterectomy is currently the second most common surgical procedure performed on women in the US.... every year...Of female surgeries, it is surpassed only by Cesarean section” (Goldberg, pg. 84). 

Eliminate estrogen-rich and junk foods, take the above mentioned nutritional supplements and take a wait-and-see attitude.  Remember, fibroids aren’t cancerous and you don’t have to rush into treatment. 

References:

Bruno, Jeffrey.  (2001).  Edible Microalgae.  Pacifica, CA: Nutritional Psychology Press.

Balch, James.  (2000).  Prescription for Nutritional Healing.  Garden City Park, NNY: Avery Publishing Group.

Colbin, Annemarie.  (1996).  Food and Healing.  New York: Ballantine Books. 
 
Goldberg, Burton.  (January 2000).  “Fibroids: An Alternative Approach.”
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.  pp. 84-96.

Hudson, Tori.  (May 2000).  “Uterine Fibroids An integrative Approach.”
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.  pp. 153-157.

Lee, Lita.  (1998).  The Enzyme Cure. Tiburon, CA: Future Medicine Publishing, Inc. 

Wishing you extraordinary health,
Donia
Organics USA, Inc.
800-927-2527 Ext. 00132#
(this is the woman who writes the newsletter, her website is below)

Visit my website and request health articles at:
www.wholefoodsolution.net
"Your Best Medicine." High Quality Whole Food
Supplements & Personal Care for the Health of Humans & Pets.

Blessings,
Deb