Living life in good health requires eating the right foods and staying active. However, this may not be enough if you live with uterine fibroids. These non-cancerous growths occur in roughly 70% to 80% of women by the age of 50. Research suggests that avoiding certain beverages and foods while increasing the intake of others may be linked to a lower risk of fibroids, although diet has not been proven to shrink existing fibroids or relieve their symptoms.
The Foundation Of A Fibroid Friendly Diet
It’s no secret that we should all attempt to stick to a healthy diet. Eating poorly can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and countless other health issues. Poor diets are prevalent in the United States, where obesity now affects a large share of adults. Obesity is tied to numerous health conditions, not the least of which is the growth of uterine fibroids. Women who are obese have a greater instance of more and larger fibroids when compared to those of a healthy weight. Ham, beef, and other red meats have also been tied to these non-cancerous growths.
If you’re at high risk for fibroids, eating a healthy diet may not prevent you from developing them, but it supports your overall health, and some dietary patterns have been linked to a lower risk of fibroids. Let’s look at what constitutes a fibroid-friendly diet for women.
- Fruits, Whole Milk, and Eggs – A study followed more than 22,000 premenopausal women to determine the effects of diet. The results indicated that those with a greater intake of fruit and of preformed vitamin A had a modestly reduced risk of uterine fibroids. Preformed vitamin A is found in animal products, including whole milk and eggs, although these foods were not tested as a treatment.
- Vitamin D – Studies have linked sufficient vitamin D levels with a lower risk of fibroids and slower fibroid growth, and small trials suggest supplements may modestly reduce fibroid size, although more research is needed. Laboratory research suggests this vitamin reduces the ability of fibroid cells to produce fibrous tissue. Egg yolks, fortified dairy products, cod-liver oil, sardines, salmon, herring, fortified tofu, and fortified breakfast cereals are all good sources. Spending some time in the sun each week can also help you get sufficient Vitamin D.
- Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli – These foods are high in indole-3-carbinol, which laboratory research suggests may affect how the body processes estrogen, although it has not been shown to prevent or slow fibroids in women. Green vegetables in general have been linked to a lower risk of fibroids. Cabbage, cauliflower, rutabagas, wasabi, broccoli, and bok choy are other good sources of indole-3-carbinol.
Studies also revealed that women who drank more alcohol were at higher risk of developing uterine fibroids, while caffeine was not clearly linked overall. Beer, in particular, seems to be a contributor to their development. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a symptom of fibroids and can lead to anemia.
Speak To Your Fibroid Specialist For More Tips
If you’re concerned about preventing uterine fibroids, speak to your fibroid specialist. They’ll be able to suggest other steps you can take to help reduce their appearance.
Sources
- Epidemiology of uterine fibroids: a systematic review. BJOG, 2017.
- Association between obesity and the risk of uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health, 2021.
- Intake of fruit, vegetables, and carotenoids in relation to risk of uterine leiomyomata. Am J Clin Nutr, 2011.
- Diet and uterine myomas. Obstet Gynecol, 1999.
- Risk of uterine leiomyomata in relation to tobacco, alcohol and caffeine consumption in the Black Women's Health Study. Hum Reprod, 2004.
- Vitamin D and uterine fibroid growth, incidence, and loss: a prospective ultrasound study. Fertil Steril, 2022.
- Effect of Oral Consumption of Vitamin D on Uterine Fibroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Nutr Cancer, 2024.