Fibroids

Fibroids Remedy
How To Get Rid Of Fibroids Naturally

Shola Oslo
Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo
Table of Contents
Introduction
What are Fibroids Specifically Uterine Fibroids? What are Some Symptoms of Fibroids? What are the Causes of Fibroids? Relationship of Fibroids to Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle Whos at Risk for Fibroids? What Can You Do About Fibroids?
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7 9 10 10 12 12
Your Medical Options

What Happens at the Doctors Office What Happens with the Results? Medical Treatment Options Surgical Approaches
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14 16 17 19
Symptom Management
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Menstrual Flow, Regularity and Menstrual Pain Issues Due to Fibroids 25 Anemia How to Prevent it Pelvic Pain Abdominal Bloating, Swelling and/or Back Pain Pain or Pressure during Intercourse Fertility Issues Frequent Need to Urinate Constipation and Hemorrhoids 27 27 28 28 28 29 30
General Recommendations for Managing your Fibroid Symptoms
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Diet
Water, water, water and more water! What to Eat Fat and Carbohydrates the real story Fresh fruits Fresh vegetables The Good Oils Protein Sources Legumes, Nuts and Seeds Whole Grains A Word About Fiber Foods to Avoid
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33 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 42 43 44
Supplements
Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Other Supplements Vitamins and Minerals B-Complex Vitamins Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Vitamin B3 (Niacin and Niacinamide) Pantothenic Acid (also Vitamin B3) Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12
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49 50 50 51 52 52 52 53 53 53 54
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Folic Acid Iron Calcium Magnesium Citrate Selenium Chromium Picolinate Zinc Quercetin and Bromelain Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
54 54 56 56 57 57 57 57 58
Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupressure

What is TCM? What Causes Fibroids? What is Liver Qi Stagnation? What is Blood Stasis? What Is The TCM Protocol For Getting Rid of Fibroids? TCM Suggestions to Get Rid of Fibroids Diet Lifestyle Acupressure Herbal Remedies Exercises & Massage How to do Self-Massage in the Chinese Fashion Abdominal massage
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60 61 61 63 64 65 65 66 67 69 71 72 72
Exercises
How Can Exercise Heal?
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What Kinds of Exercises Should You Do? Exercises to Stimulate Circulation Exercises to Strengthen Muscles and Overall Body Tone Eastern Exercises for Energy Flow, Hormonal Balance Yoga Tai Chi Qi Gong Other Exercises Dancing Stretching Pilates Abdominal Crunches Kegels
75 76 77 77 78 78 79 80 80 80 81 81 82
Detoxification
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How do toxins damage our bodies (and lead to fibroid growth in women)?85 Our toxic environment Air pollution Chemicals and household cleaners Plastics Food Detox Methods Liver and Gallbladder Detoxification Flush Drinks for Liver and Gallbladder 5-day Detox Programs Liver Cleanse
86 86 87 88 88 90 91 91 92 92
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Colon Detoxification Colon Cleanse Juice Fasting Detox Kidney and Bladder Detoxification Foods to avoid (that make fibroids worse)
93 94 95 97 99
Herbal Remedies
Vitex Black Cohosh Evening Primrose Oil Red Raspberry Siberian Ginseng Licorice Root Red Clover Echinacea Goldenseal Root Milk Thistle Dandelion Yellow Dock Root Artichoke Ashoka General Tips on Herbal Teas, Capsules, Tinctures and More
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102 102 103 103 103 104 104 105 105 106 106 106 107 107 107
Conclusion
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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
If you are a woman, your chances of having fibroids are nearly 75%. Nearly 3 out of 4 women develop them. The condition is so common that its tempting to say its a natural by-product of being female. That is simply not so. My goal with this guide is to introduce you to as many facts as possible, and to point out natural healing methods that you can use to rid yourself of fibroids. Do you know that many hysterectomies to remove fibroids are medically unnecessary? Up to 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year, with one third of those to remove fibroids. If your gynecologist suggests you have one, Id recommend you ask why first, and then hightail it to another doctor for a second, and third, opinion. I firmly believe that extreme medical treatment and by extreme, I mean unnecessary surgery or harsh drugs with sometimes debilitating side-effects is not the way to go for most women. Most illnesses, in fact, can be avoided with natural hygiene and healthy lifestyle. By this I mean eating fresh, organic foods, getting the right nutrients into your body, and avoiding the environmental and social toxins so prevalent in the world around us. These may include xenoestrogens, electromagnetic fields, radiation and stress. But, Im getting ahead of myself here. What are Fibroids Specifically Uterine Fibroids? Ill begin with the classic definition of fibroids. Medically known as uterine leiomyomata, any uterine fibroid is a solid mass of muscle tissue and collagen and elastin, or extracellular matrix proteins. They are abnormal growths in that they
dont belong in the uterus but they have been created and interfere with the uterine cavity. They are also benign (non-cancerous) tumors. They are not life-threatening, but they can cause problems. This is important! They are not life-threatening. Most are a nuisance, but they can be controlled. Thats why youre reading this guide. There are three types of uterine fibroids: intramural fibroids (these grow on or inside the wall of the uterus), subserosal fibroids (these grow on the outside of the uterine wall) and submucosal fibroids (these grow inside the uterus or womb). I know youre about to freak out at the word tumor. Dont! Fibroids are benign. Most are harmless and arent even cause for concern. They could be the size of a walnut. But occasionally, they become large enough to cause health problems and need some form of treatment. I know of one woman who had a fibroid tumor the size of a large grapefruit who sought treatment due to excessive pain and bleeding. She felt that her entire life was being compromised by the fibroids existence in her uterus (womb). She wanted it out, but she didnt want to undergo a hysterectomy, if at all possible. The first thing Id do if I suspected a fibroid is to see a doctor that practices conservative treatment approaches. I am fortunate that my own gynecologist is a firm believer in the less radical approach in other words, hell utilize more conservative treatments until hes exhausted them all, before he recommends surgery. He isnt a cutter despite the fact that hes a surgeon. He also believes wholeheartedly in dietary and lifestyle changes to effect positive changes in a womans health and well-being. Now you see why hes my doctor. Your doctor will use a couple of methods to determine whether or not you have fibroids. Hell use hysteroscopy and ultra sound to locate the tumor, its size and whether or not its impacting the uterine cavity. This is especially important if you are concerned about having a child. Other women want to get rid of uterine fibroid
Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo 8
tumors so they can have normal periods again not painful, heavy bleeding periods that can cause additional medical problems, such as anemia. Sometimes a doctor will need to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help pinpoint a fibroids exact size and location. These are just how you and your doctor know what youre dealing with. It doesnt imply any radical treatment. I find its always better to know your situation so that you can determine how best to go about healing yourself. What are Some Symptoms of Fibroids? While I will list the symptoms here, I want to also state that the presence of one or more of them may, or may not, indicate the presence of fibroids. The only way to know for sure is to consult with your trusted physician. Sometimes fibroids cause no symptoms at all, and many disappear or shrink by themselves after menopause. However, women with fibroids typically have several, if not all, of the following symptoms: Pressure and pain in the pelvic region (may be chronic or constant, or stabbing and infrequent) Problem with constipation and/or hemorrhoids (due to pressure on the rectum) Frequent need to urinate sometimes urgently! (due to pressure on the bladder and urinary tract) Heavy menstrual flow lots of blood! This is known as menorrhagia. Painful menstrual flow known as dysmenorrhea. Menstrual periods that are irregular, including spotting during the month Issues with infertility
Loss of pregnancy (miscarriage) Pressure or pain experienced during intercourse (known as dyspareunia) Abdominal bloating, swelling and/or back pain What are the Causes of Fibroids? Im afraid the answer to this is that doctors arent sure what cause uterine fibroids at least not to any degree of absolute certainty. What we do know is that fibroids occur when a single cell reproduces again and again from the muscular wall of the uterus and develops into a firm, rubbery-type mass completely distinct (but often unrecognizable to the naked eye) from surrounding tissue. They can develop singly, or in groups and vary greatly in size. According to research and various clinical studies Ive found, there are several factors that appear to be involved in the formation of fibroids: Hormones Particularly the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone seem to be factors in the creation of fibroids. Alteration in Genetic Codes Many fibroids contain some modifications that provided the change in the uterine muscle walls. Chemicals in the Body The insulin-like growth factor chemical that helps the body maintain its tissue may also be a factor in fibroid development. Relationship of Fibroids to Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle I know you know some of this information, but bear with me as it will help illuminate the relationship between hormones, the menstrual cycle and fibroids. A woman generally experiences her period every four weeks. Thats why its called your monthly period, a phrase that must have been coined by some doctor at some distant point in the past. Menstruating actually refers to the blood flow from a
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womans womb each month. Its all part of the continuation of the species and is part of our inherited DNA. Thats who we are as women. The menstrual cycle is where the womans uterine wall thickens in preparation of pregnancy, and the blood flow is the sloughing off (elimination) of the lining of the uterus when pregnancy does not occur. Ovulation is part of the womans reproductive cycle in which eggs are produced in the ovaries each month and travel to the Fallopian tube to the uterus to await pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur (the egg is not fertilized by the mans sperm) the egg and the uterus lining are shed during the monthly menstrual period. Some key hormones involved include progesterone, estrogen and progestin. Progesterone and estrogen are produced by the ovaries in order to prepare the womans uterus each month for pregnancy. They also support the fertilized egg if that process is successful. Progesterone also promotes milk in the mammary glands for breast feeding. Estrogen is part of a group of female hormones, again produced in the ovaries as well as other body tissues, that helps prepare a womans uterus each month for pregnancy. Estrogen causes the cervical mucous to change and the lining of the uterus to thicken. Progestin, a hormone that is sometimes taken with estrogen, works to prevent thickening in the uterus lining. Progestin is sometimes prescribed for menopausal women seeking relief from their symptoms and is usually taken in some dose along with estrogen. Progestin is also used in the treatment of various conditions, including breast, kidney or uterine cancer, to help with muscle or weight thats severe, and to prevent pregnancy. Menopause refers to the period in a womans life when menstruation ceases. It varies from woman to woman but can begin in the mid- to late 40s, or as late as the
early 60s. Most commonly, women in the 1-3 years of menopause experience erratic periods, spotting, slowing down of ovulation, heavy bleeding, irritability, cramping, hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes, periods of high energy or creativity, headaches or migraines. Id like to stress that not all women experience all of these changes, which are related to hormonal balance or imbalance. Some women report no discomfort at all. Fibroids actually contain more estrogen and estrogen receptors than normal muscle cells in the uterus. It is this hormonal imbalance that is thought to be one cause, or at least a strong contributing factor, in the production, severity and proliferation of fibroids. Whos at Risk for Fibroids? If youre a woman in your reproductive years, you may be at risk for fibroids. Women of color are more likely to develop fibroids, and to develop them at an earlier age than other women. According to some statistics Ive read, by the age of 35, about 80% of African-American women and approximately 35% of Caucasian women living in the United States have been diagnosed as having fibroids. If your mother or female relatives had or have fibroids, you may be genetically predisposed to develop fibroids. Ive seen some studies that link obesity to fibroids, including the Mayo Clinic. What I do know is that obesity challenges your bodys functioning and is a condition that must be changed in order to affect a healthy body, no matter what. I believe that obesity probably contributes to the development of fibroids because obese women are not able to utilize the appropriate and necessary dietary and lifestyle changes they need. What Can You Do About Fibroids? Im sure thats why youre reading this guide. Now that you know some information about fibroids, their suspected causes, symptoms and who is at risk, Id like to
go on to explain what you can do to get rid of these female aberrations. Ill call them that because I believe they dont belong in our bodies and I, along with you, want to ensure Im doing everything I can to heal my body naturally and return it to its normal healthy state.
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Chapter 2
YOUR MEDICAL OPTIONS
Im assuming youve been experiencing some problems, perhaps heavy bleeding, excessive at times, severe backache, constipation, painful intercourse any or all of the symptoms Ive already listed in the previous section. Its come to the point where you stop doing things because your life is revolving around how you feel due to your fibroids. In other words, fibroids are defining your life. Thats not a good thing. You decide to see your physician. Remember that no matter what the doctor tells you, ultimately the decision on how to treat your fibroids (what options you want to use) remains with you. What Happens at the Doctors Office The first step is to find out what youre dealing with. How severe are your fibroids, what is their location, are they impacting the uterine cavity, how many are there, and other issues. The doctor will begin with questions about what problems youve been experiencing, taking a thorough history. Then, hell do a pelvic exam. The purpose of the pelvic exam is to examine and feel the uterus in order to gauge its size. This is a relative determination, as in its relation to the size of your uterus during previous examinations, or during or after your pregnancy, if youve had one. I know you may be wondering, just what is the size of a normal uterus? Ive seen a number of numerical descriptions but nothing makes sense like a visual, right? A normal uterus is about the size of a womans fist. The next step may be a blood sample. Your doctor will probably want to order blood tests, known as a complete blood count (or CBC). This will either show the
presence or rule out any iron deficiency anemia you may have. Blood tests also help the doctor determine your bodys reproductive hormone levels and to compare CBC results to rule out other bleeding disorders. Your doctor may opt to perform a uterine biopsy in order to look for possible other causes of bleeding, such as uterine cancer. The biopsy, known as an endometrial biopsy, is performed in the doctors office and usually doesnt require anesthesia. You lie on the examining table with your knees bent, feet in the stirrups, just like for your pelvic exam. The doctor inserts a narrow tube into your vagina and cervix to the uterus and utilizes suction to extract a small sample of tissue that is sent to the lab for analysis. An endometrial biopsy is particularly important for women who are older, may be overweight, or are experiencing abnormal or unusual bleeding between periods. In order to have a clear idea of the location of the fibroids, your doctor may do an ultrasound of your uterus. Ultrasound also helps the doctor rule out other causes of bleeding and to determine whether there are cysts and not fibroids involved. Ultrasound works using sound waves. For this procedure, you like on an examining table and a technician or your doctor moves the ultrasound device (called the transducer) either over your abdomen (transabdominal) or places it inside your vagina (transvaginal) to obtain images of your uterus. He or she maps and measures your fibroids to get a clear picture (hes actually viewing it on a computer-like screen as the transducer moves across your abdomen or through your uterus). If the doctor uses transabdominal ultrasound, youll drink several glasses of water first. Since your uterus sits behind the bladder, it is more easily seen when the bladder is full. A transvaginal ultrasound doesnt require any preparation. Because the transducer moves inside the uterus, it can provide a clearer picture of the uterus. The transabdominal ultrasound is able to show a larger region. Beyond these initial tests, your doctor may order one or more of the following:
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Hysterosonography In this test, the doctor or technician inserts a tube (a catheter) into your uterus (through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus) and injects a saline solution (which is sterile salt water). This saline solution works to expand the uterine cavity to make it easier to see any obstructions like fibroids. Then he or she places an ultrasound device into the uterus to view images on the screen. Your fallopian tubes can also be examined to see if theyre open. Your doctor or technician will first inject saline and air into them and then and look for the bubbles as they pass through the tubes. Hysteroscopy Using a hysteroscope (a small lighted telescope on a tube), the doctor releases a fluid or gas to expand your uterus. The doctor can then view your uterine walls and openings of your fallopian tubes. This procedure is often performed in the doctors office, usually with local anesthesia or mild sedation. Hysterosalpingography Using a small catheter-type device, your doctor or technician injects a dye or liquid contrast material into your uterus. The dye makes resulting images very clear on the X-Ray images. Computerized tomography (or CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Your doctor may also order these tests to further determine presence and severity of fibroids. What Happens with the Results? As Ive previously mentioned, most fibroids are harmless and dont need to be removed. In other words, theyre not usually dangerous. They can, however, lead to anemia due to heavy blood loss. And they may interfere with your enjoyment of life, particularly your sex life. Depending on the size, location and complicating factors, and armed with the results of your tests, your doctor will outline your medical options.
Id like to stress that, even if you already know (or believe strongly) that youre not going to have medically invasive processes to get rid of your fibroids, you at least need to know what your medical options are. There may be circumstances where you may need to consider one of them at some point. Knowledge is power. I want you to be informed. Medical Treatment Options Ill tell you this straight out: there is no single treatment approach that doctors agree is best in treating fibroids. With that much differing opinion out there, be forewarned. Here, then, are some of the medical approaches doctors recommend. Ill list the possible consequences or side-effects with each as well.
The Wait and See Approach

Depending on your age, the size, shape and quantity of fibroids, and whether or not they are causing additional problems such as anemia, your doctor could suggest that you come in for regular check-ups and that nothing additional be done. This treatment is known as the wait and see approach. Its okay in that it doesnt add anything foreign to your body in the form of drugs, or take anything from your body in the form of major surgery (or any surgery, for that matter). But it doesnt get at removing your fibroids from your body. Sometimes your fibroids will shrink and/or go away by themselves, in which case you dont need any further treatment. If theyre small enough and not causing problems, you may opt for the wait and see approach yourself as the best possible treatment. Id recommend you keep this suggestion handy, as youll want to read further chapters later on that deal with managing symptoms and alternative means of dealing with fibroids like diet, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lifestyle changes and others.
The Drug Therapy Approach

Your doctor may prescribe certain drugs in an attempt to slow down the growth of your fibroids, or cause them to shrink. These drugs, and/or synthetic hormones,
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may be prescribed alone or in combination with a surgical approach such as a hysterectomy. Id like to remind you that these drugs and/or synthetic hormones are used to target your female hormones, those that regulate and control your menstrual cycle, and to combat excessive pelvic pain, pressure and bleeding. They wont get rid of your fibroids the best they can do is slow down their growth or shrink them. That said, here are some of the medications that your doctor may want to prescribe: Oral contraceptives Believe it or not, the same drugs used to prevent pregnancy are regularly used in some combination to treat fibroids. Progestins help reduce excessive bleeding and overproduction of estrogen which is thought to foster growth of fibroids. But oral contraceptives are drugs, nevertheless, and may have unpleasant side effects. Some of these include swelling of the legs and ankles, severe abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) While these are not hormonal medications, they are often prescribed to control heavy bleeding not caused by fibroids, but due to some other cause. They are not effective in reducing bleeding that is caused by fibroids. NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen, can cause increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attack. They also pose increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders such as ulceration, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach and intestines. Androgens These so-called male hormones are produced in your ovaries, along with your adrenal glands which are found above your kidneys. Some doctors prescribe medical androgen therapy to alleviate symptoms caused by fibroids. One such synthetic drug, danazol, which is similar to the hormone testosterone, has shown some effectiveness in shrinking fibroids. But
such a positive comes with a negative in this case, perhaps several negatives. Side effects of taking this drug include weight gain, feelings of anxiety, depression or uneasiness, hair growth in unwanted places (like face), deeper voice, acne and headaches. For many women, these side effects are enough to preclude taking this type of drug. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists Dont let this strangesounding name intimidate you. Your bodys hypothalamus (located at the base of your brain) creates GnRH in order to trigger your monthly menstrual cycle. After manufacture in the hypothalamus, GnRH travels on to your pituitary gland (which is also located at the base of your brain) and there it jumpstarts the action that will ultimately stimulate your ovaries into the production of estrogen and progesterone. There are some medications known as GnRH agonists (like Lupron, Synarel and others) that go to the same locations as GnRH. However, when they are taken as a drug therapy, they actually produce the opposite effect to your own bodys natural GnRH, in that your bodys estrogen and progesterone levels diminish, your menstruation stops, fibroids shrink and often anemia improves. Still, they are drugs and can carry some side effects which differ from woman to woman. These include some reported cases of anaphylactic or asthmatic conditions, thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolisms and risk of cardiovascular disease. Women who become pregnant should immediately discontinue taking the drug. Surgical Approaches Hysterectomy This is the big H, as familiar to women as the big M (menstruation), and often with as much confusion, fear and misunderstanding. The fact is that for generations of women up until the last generation, hysterectomies were routinely performed without regard to any long lasting consequences especially if other abdominal surgery was already going to be performed. As ridiculous as it
sounds to us today, the thinking went something like this: while were in the area, we might as well remove the uterus and ovaries at the same time. This was especially prevalent if a woman was past child-bearing years, already had children or had multiple other symptoms, like heavy bleeding, extreme pelvic pain, etc. How barbaric! Other times it was the woman herself whod suggest to her doctor that she didnt need her uterus anymore, so go ahead and take it out. I find both scenarios tragic and unnecessary. I feel it is critically important to realize that a hysterectomy which is the surgical removal of the uterus ends your chances of becoming pregnant. Ever again. No ifs, ands or buts. If youre still in your childbearing years and have even the remotest desire to have more (or any) children, Id strongly caution you to not undertake this procedure without very serious thought. Hysterectomy may be complete, as in the removal of both the uterus and one or both ovaries, or partial, with only the removal of the uterus. Its important to note that each has potentially serious consequences. Immediately following the hysterectomy, women may experience bowel injury, severe bleeding or difficulty with their bladder functions. Long term consequences for women who have a total hysterectomy (removal of both uterus and ovaries), may include the sudden and possibly intense onset of menopause, with all its unpleasant side effects. In some women, depending on their age when they have the hysterectomy, this may push the start of menopause ahead by five years. Furthermore, these women are at greater risk for heart disease and osteoporosis, and are more likely to experience feelings of depression. They may also find they have decreased libido, be unable to achieve an orgasm, or suffer other sexual dysfunction. There is another type of hysterectomy, called a supra-cervical hysterectomy, in which only the portion of the uterus with the fibroids is removed. This surgical option will not maintain fertility (ability to have children), but it does leave much of
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the uterus intact, and therefore the pelvic structure is less impacted. This may mean less risk of bladder infections and other post-hysterectomy complications. Myomectomy -- For younger women troubled with fibroids and who still want to have children, another surgical option is a myomectomy. During this procedure, only the fibroids are removed, leaving your uterus intact. This allows you to still have children, a very important consideration for many women and not only young ones! This type of surgery has its own challenges, with issues including excessive blood loss, scar tissue and restoring the shape of the uterine area where the fibroids have been removed. To prepare for a myomectomy, your physician may encourage you to bank blood, take iron supplements and GnRH as a therapy to build up hemoglobin and iron as well as shrink your fibroids. There are three types of myomectomy performed. The procedure selected by your physician depends on the size and type of your fibroids. These are an abdominal myomectomy (or laparotomy), a hysteroscopic myomectomy and a laparoscopic myomectomy. Ill describe each of these briefly. During the abdominal myomectomy, either a vertical or a horizontal (or bikiniline) incision will be made in your abdomen. While the horizontal incision results in a much thinner scar, it also limits access to your pelvic area by the surgeons. The vertical incision allows greater access, but may pose the risk of the scar reopening later. It does cause less bleeding. The doctor inspects your exposed uterus visually and by feel to determine the exact location of the fibroids. He then makes an incision in your uterus to reach the fibroids, and uses surgical instruments to separate the fibroids away from the uterus. He finishes up by repairing the uterus and closing the incision. This type of myomectomy usually involves a 3-4 day hospital stay and recovery time of about 4-6 weeks.
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If you have fibroids that bulge into your uterine cavity wall, your physician may suggest a hysteroscopic myomectomy. This procedure requires general anesthesia. The doctor uses a small instrument with a light on it called a resectoscope (which means it can cut tissue), to go into your uterus and release a clear liquid to expand your uterine walls to allow for examination. Then, the surgeon uses the resectoscope to shave away the fibrous tissue, or use a laser to remove the fibroids. Particles of tissue wash out of the uterus in the course of the procedure. A laparascope may also be used to monitor the outside of your uterine cavity while the fibroids are being removed from inside the uterus. During a laparoscopic myomectomy, your surgeon makes small incisions in your abdomen, inserts a gas to expand your uterus, and then places the laparoscope inside your pelvic cavity to get a better picture of your uterus and ovaries and to pinpoint exactly where the fibroids are. He then uses special surgical instruments to either remove the fibroids from the uterus through the laparoscopic incisions or he may make a surgical incision through the vagina (called a colpotomy). A laparoscopic mymomectomy is considered somewhat controversial for women who wish to have future pregnancies, due to the fact that the uterine wall repair may not be sufficiently strong with this procedure. With laparoscopic surgery, you can usually go home the same day. There are also variations of myomectomy in which fibroids are destroyed rather than removed. These procedures include myolysis in which an electric current is used to destroy the fibroids and shrink the blood vessels feeding them, and cryomyolysis in which liquid nitrogen freezes the fibroids. These procedures are still too new for any determination of their overall safety, effectiveness and ability to prevent recurrence of fibroids. Hysteroscopic resection A relatively new procedure, hysteroscopic resection is being recommended by physicians for women who have smaller submucosal fibroids and wish to have children later. It allows for removal of the fibroids without
surgical incisions. The procedure is performed in the hospital using general anesthetic. A telescope is inserted into the uterus (past the vagina and cervix) and an electrical knife, wire or laser is fed into the uterus to slice away the fibroids. The surgeon then repairs the uterus with sutures. This procedure requires about one day in the hospital and a recovery time of 1-2 weeks. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) During this procedure, which requires no incision and has a shorter recovery time, small particles are injected into the arteries supplying blood to the fibroids in the uterus. This causes the fibroids to shrink (by eliminating their blood supply) and also relieves the accompanying symptoms. Complications may occur if the blood supply to either your ovaries or your other organs is compromised. MRI-guided forced ultrasound ablation (FUS) This procedure, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (October of 2004), is a noninvasive (no incisions) treatment for fibroids. You are placed inside a specific type of MRI scanner which allows the doctors to examine your body and pinpoint the exact location of the fibroids. These fibroids are then destroyed using focused high-energy and high-frequency sound waves. Just as you might expect from any previous experience you may have had with an MRI, the process takes several hours, with the on and off of the sound waves as they are directed toward the fibroids. The studies Ive read indicate that this technology holds promise, but its long-term effectiveness has not been determined. Endometrial ablation This final procedure uses a laser, electrical energy or a balloon that is inserted into the uterus and expanded using hot water. The procedure removes both the lining of your uterus as well as the fibroids. Use of this treatment either stops menstruation altogether or reduces monthly menstrual flow and is effective to stop abnormal bleeding. It does not, however, do anything to fibroids positioned outside the interior lining of the uterus.
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Whew! Thats a lot of medical terminology about some pretty scary procedures. At least, it is to me, and it should be to you as well. It is true that with so many women (remember those statistics) being diagnosed with fibroids in just the United States alone, medical researchers and physicians, along with drug companies and those entities involved in any and all of the machines and devices used in the surgeries or treatments, are working hard to discover newer, more effective and less invasive treatment techniques. That is promising. I wish them all the best. In the meantime, what should you do if you have fibroids, especially if they are large and/or interfering with your enjoyment of life? Remember, the medical options Ive just outlined are just that. They are choices. Only you can make the final decision. If youre still reading this guide, I know you want more choices than medical or surgical ones. Im right with you. Lets continue.
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Chapter 3
SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
Now that Ive discussed what fibroids are and what your medical options are, Id like to discuss how you can manage the many and varied symptoms these fibroids cause. As a former sufferer with fibroids myself, I certainly empathize. I can recall feeling initially quite confused and fearful after I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and then a bit desperate at times as my symptoms increased or got worse. I knew I wanted to learn all I could about fibroids, what all my options were, how to manage my pain and other symptoms and, most of all, how to get rid of them. Here Ill mention ways that you can manage your fibroid symptoms. Lets begin with bleeding issues. Menstrual Flow, Regularity and Menstrual Pain Issues Due to Fibroids There are three types of symptoms that Ill discuss here: heavy menstrual flow or menorrhagia, painful menstrual flow or dysmenorrhea, or irregular menstrual periods, including spotting during the month. Ive experienced (and read about other womens) extremely heavy blood flow, particularly at night, including the passage of large clots due to uterine fibroids. Im sure you are aware of the kinds of self-protection methods we women use in times like this, including wearing multiple pads, using plastic-lined bedsheets or plastic mattress pads (or both), wearing depends (undergarments to protect against incontinence), getting up often to change bedclothes, pads, sheets, etc. None of these are pleasant, but they are realities. They only affect the situation after the fact, however, and dont get at the cause or lessen the severity.
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First of all, let me reiterate that the symptoms of heavy or excessive blood flow, painful blood flow and irregular periods or spotting when they are caused by fibroids can be alleviated. Thats the good news. In fact, if youre suffering from any or all of these symptoms, its probably great news. Whats the bad news? You need to be patient and image your bodys healing process. I know its sometimes difficult to be patient, but your body didnt just grow these fibroids overnight, and it will take some time to make them go away (or lessen your symptoms). What can you do to combat these abnormal bleeding problems? I recommend that you take appropriate supplements (see my Chapter 5 Supplements), especially the Big Three antioxidants of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Vitamin E is especially helpful with painful periods. Youll also want to take Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and possibly iron supplements to combat anemia caused by excessive bleeding. You can also take Motrin or Ibuprofen to help reduce the severity of the bleeding and to help with the pain. Motrin and Ibuprofen are both non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) mentioned in the previous Chapter 2 Your Medical Options. These over-the-counter drugs help reduce inflammation and also help with cramping. Ive seen several studies that indicate some women report good success wearing an estradiol patch to control excessive bleeding. Women with fibroids often experience excruciating pain or cramping, which may be the bodys attempt to actually force the fibroids out of the uterus. I suggest you try one of the following to help alleviate your pain: Lie down. Elevate your legs with a pillow under your knees. Rest for a while. This action my help to reduce your pain (it will feel better, I know!).
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Do not use tampons. Use only sanitary napkins. You dont want to have a foreign object in your body if you are experiencing severe pain in that region. Apply heat. You can use either a heating pad or a hot water bottle. Hot baths with Epsom salts also work well. The application of heat improves your flow of blood and may also help to reduce your pelvic pain. Note that this tip also applies to pelvic pain, which Ill cover next. Lie on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest. This stretches your lower back, relieves back pressure, and may reduce your pain. Exercise. I find that it is very helpful to exercise, since this improves the flow of blood and often helps to reduce pain. Anemia How to Prevent it If you have heavy bleeding, youre also at risk for developing anemia. In order to prevent anemia you should eat iron-rich foods such as shellfish (not if youre allergic to crustaceans), organic green leafy vegetables, organic lean red meat, organic eggs, beans and iron-fortified breads and cereals. Cook in iron skillets. Ensure you eat a well-balanced diet and take iron supplements or a multi-vitamin. Avoid constipation by eating enough fiber, lots of organic fruits and vegetables and drink 2-4 more glasses of water each day than youd normally drink. Also add Vitamin C to your daily intake. You can take this in the form of a 250 mg capsule. The reason for the Vitamin C is that it helps your body to absorb iron more easily. Pelvic Pain Pressure and pain in the pelvic region caused by fibroids may be chronic or constant or stabbing and irregular in nature. Chronic pain is pain that last for more than six months. It generally causes pressure or a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. Rarely does this pressure cause acute pain, except when fibroids begin
to degenerate or die, after being deprived of nutrients. This pelvic pressure, caused by the size of the growing fibroids pressing on the uterus, may also cause abnormal bleeding, which may then lead to anemia. So, whether your pelvic pain or pressure is chronic or infrequent, I know its not pleasant. Abdominal Bloating, Swelling and/or Back Pain Abdominal bloating or swelling may be caused by uterine fibroids that cause the uterus to extend above the pelvic bone, creating anything from a slight paunch to something that resembles a pregnant belly. When fibroids compress the nerves in your lower back, this leads to pain in the lower back or legs. Pain or Pressure during Intercourse If you are experiencing pressure or pain during intercourse, this may be due to multiple causes, including fibroids that are distorting the uterus. Heres what you can do to help alleviate the pressure and pain. The tips listed above for pain due to heavy bleeding also apply to pelvic pain, back pain and pressure. Physical therapy can also help. For pelvic or back pain, you may also wish to apply heat and cold packs. Specific stretching exercises will also help. A physical therapist can design an exercise program for you or you can create your own. See my Chapter 7 Exercises for more information. Fertility Issues Women who have difficulty becoming pregnant, have difficult or protracted labor, labor complications or who suffer frequent miscarriages, often also have fibroids. The statistics Ive read state that perhaps 2-3% of all infertility patients have fibroids. Fibroids may be blocking your cervix or the fallopian tube opening. This, in turn, may cause infertility. If you have a submucosal fibroid, the uterine cavity may be
distorted to the extent that a fertilized ovum cannot be implanted. This can result in repeated instances of miscarriage. I have found that experts say there is little evidence to substantiate whether or not subserol or intramural fibroids interfere with fertility. I want to stress that most women with fibroids can have a normal pregnancy and subsequent delivery. The fibroids themselves dont cause problems in most cases and about two-thirds of pregnant women with fibroids find that the fibroids either stay the same size or even shrink. If your symptoms are not severe, theres no need to treat the fibroids. You will, however, want to inform your gynecologist about your fibroids so that he or she can perform ultra-sound tests to manage your pregnancy and to relieve your mind. NSAIDs, like Advil or Ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications may help. Ask your doctor for details. If you are trying to become pregnant and are having difficulty, you may wish to explore the hormone based treatment gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues (GnRH), that I mention in Chapter 2 Your Medical Options. GnRH analogues lower estrogen in your body, which can actually shrink fibroids. The treatment is usually undertaken about three months before surgery to remove fibroids. GnRH also mimics menopause, so you can expect to have menopause-like symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and other conditions. It can also only be taken for about six months. And, after you stop taking GnRH, fibroids may return, since estrogen is again being produced in your body. I recommend that you only consider GnRH after careful consideration and discussion with your physician. Frequent Need to Urinate It seems that fibroids cause a woman to feel the frequent need to urinate, often quite suddenly and without apparent reason. This is due to the pressure of compression of the bladder and urinary tract by the growing fibroids. Managing this
symptom takes some practice, and a good sense of humor also helps. I also recommend that you dont try to hold your bladder to wait for a more opportune time to go to the restroom. This is just asking for trouble. When you feel the need to go, then go. If the situation becomes unbearable in that you are going to the restroom constantly and its making your life difficult, you may need to seek medical advice from your doctor. It could be that the fibroid is so large or in such a position as it is just making things worse. However, I recommend you try the methods outlined in this guide to help shrink, reduce or eliminate fibroids from your body the natural way. See my chapters on herbal remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), exercise, diet, supplements and detoxification. Constipation and Hemorrhoids The pressure of growing fibroids on the rectum often causes the dual, and uncomfortable, symptoms of constipation and hemorrhoids. Ive learned that some constipation may also be caused by the addition of supplemental iron you may need to take for anemia (which is often the result of excessive or abnormal bleeding caused by fibroids). Ive found that constipation and hemorrhoids are perhaps two of the most manageable symptoms simply by making relatively easy dietary changes. First, its important to increase your daily intake of water. You need to flush out your system, and since constipation means youre system is dehydrated, you must add water. As youll see in my next chapter on diet, water is your number one fluid for overall optimum health and a good and healthy step to take to both manage your fibroid symptoms and help to get rid of them. Along with the addition of more water to your daily diet, Id recommend that you eat more fruit. By eating fruit (and make sure its organic), you are giving your body natural antioxidants it needs, as well as vital nutrients, and they are natures natural friends to a healthy bodily elimination. I also advise that you increase your daily consumption of whole grains and bran. This will bulk up your waste products
into smooth and more easily passed movements not hard, pea-type kernels that are difficult to pass. The hardness and difficulty to pass nature of stools is what leads to hemorrhoids as you strain your rectal muscles to pass them. Again, insufficient water intake can lead to both the hard stools (which means your body is dehydrated) and to the creation of hemorrhoids. You may also wish to take herbal remedies (see the chapter on Herbal Remedies) for help in jump starting your bodys elimination. Make sure that the herbs are certified organic. General Recommendations for Managing your Fibroid Symptoms Along with the specifics for each type of symptom Ive listed above, I have some general recommendations that may help you manage them overall. Managing Stress Many times stress triggers pain. So, its vitally important not to get too stressed out over situations. Use one of many stress management techniques to reduce your stress level. These may have the additional benefit of reducing your stress-triggered pain. Acupressure Acupressure, or specific finger pressure on certain body points, can often alleviate pain and symptoms caused by fibroids. Biofeedback and Relaxation Techniques Deep breathing exercises, biofeedback and other relaxation techniques are very easy-to-perform methods that may provide considerable relief from pain and other fibroid-caused symptoms. Imaging and Meditation Guided imagery, which is a technique that uses tapes, scripts or an instructor, to direct your thoughts to a relaxed state, may help with fibroid symptoms. Meditation, which concentrates on either a single sound or mantra (concentrative meditation), or mindful meditation, in
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which you are aware of everything around you, may provide help in managing your fibroid-related symptoms. Aromatherapy and Massage I find that theres nothing so wonderful as the combination of aromatherapy and massage. This is especially true if you have fibroid symptoms that are interfering with your quality of life. The aromatherapy itself uses essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus and other delightful and therapeutic essences. The massage works through your bodys aches and pains, stimulates circulation, oxygen production and promotes healing. It also just feels good. I highly recommend the combination of aromatherapy and massage for your fibroid symptoms. I hope these suggestions offer you some practical ways to cope with your fibroid symptoms. As Ive said before, I know its not easy and you wish theyd just go away. With time and careful attention to the steps in this guide, you may find that they do just that. Lets go on now and talk about how diet impacts your fibroids and how diet can help you reduce or eliminate them.
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Chapter 4
DIET
Youve heard the expression, You are what you eat. Thats so true that Ive decided to devote an entire chapter to the subject of diet, especially when it comes to how you can rid yourself of fibroids. Ive already covered that fibroids thrive on high levels of estrogen. So it comes as no secret that I recommend you watch what you eat to avoid ingesting plants and foods that contribute to higher levels of estrogen in your body. In fact, I recommend just the opposite. I want you to eat foods known to lower estrogen levels. Lets help your body say no to fibroids naturally! Of course, Im not just talking about estrogen levels here. Its also important that you consume a wide range of nutrients daily in order to keep your hormones in balance as well as greatly reduce menstrual cramping, inflammation and all-around to improve your bodys state of health and well-being. Ill cover a great deal of information about what you can (and should eat), as well as foods you definitely want to eliminate (or greatly reduce) from your diet. Dont worry! It wont be a task. Ill even toss in a few delicious recipes I use for added benefit. Just to get you started on your healthy eating and your healthy new you! Water, water, water and more water! Ill begin with something our bodies need in order to be healthy and survive. That thing is not a food, but water. Do you know that water not only helps quench our thirst, but that thirst is our bodys way of indicating its dying for water! I mean that literally. Our bodily organs depend on water for hydration.
Lack of sufficient water causes our organs to shrink and also makes them prone to disease, malfunction and decay due to accumulated toxins. Yes, toxins. We all have them. Its hard to get through the day without coming into contact with toxins in your environment from the air you breathe, to the fumes from exhaust, factories, chemicals you use in cleaning, to toxic or pesticides lingering on foods, dry cleaning chemicals on your clothes, and a host of others. These toxins build up in your body and theyre stored guess where in your organs. Water flushes away toxins and purifies your body. Id also like to say a word about constipation here. When your body doesnt have enough water, and food remains undigested in your large intestine, this leads to the creation of harmful waste products that may be reabsorbed back into your bloodstream. By drinking adequate amounts of filtered water each day, youll avoid constipation, keep your movements regular and keep your body hydrated. How much water should you drink each day? Ive found as many opinions on this subject as I have fingers and toes maybe more. Ive seen everything from 8 full 8-ounce glasses a day to a couple of gallons. My rule of thumb is that I never want to be too far from a full glass of water. That includes during the day when Im at my desk, in the car, taking a hike (especially during any type of strenuous exercise), and at my bedside when I go to sleep. Never allow yourself to get to the point of thirst! Also, dont drink water with meals. I hear what some of you are saying to yourselves right now. When I drink too much water, I retain too much fluid and gain weight. My own mother took diuretics for years because she thought she could lose weight by getting rid of water. Thats just wrong! When you drink water, your body naturally will eliminate it. What goes in, comes out, but not before benefiting your body in ways you cant even imagine.
Too many trips to the bathroom, you argue. No way, Im not buying that excuse either. When you feel the need to use the restroom, go ahead and use it. Dont hold your bladder or bowels back. Thats just asking for trouble. Besides, when your bladder gets used to holding large quantities of water, and you drink lots of water on a regular basis, you will find you dont need to go to the bathroom as much. In other words, when your body gets used to being regularly and sufficiently hydrated, youll come to a happy medium of when and how to drink so that youll be able to use the restroom conveniently. If youre on the road, then pull off for a little bit. You can probably use the time to stretch your legs as well. Bottom line, I recommend you drink as much water daily as you think you can and then a little more. Make them full glasses or bottles, too. None of this itty bitty sips type of thing. Your body, including your skin, which thrives on adequate hydration, will look more alive, softer, and more supple. Youll look younger, too. Need I say more, ladies? Drink up! What to Eat Okay, Ive covered water, now what about food? This topic is quite broad, so Ill break it up into manageable pieces. Pun intended. First, I want you to key in on a very important word and add it to your reference point whenever you think about food. That word is organic. Go organic! Give your body the best possible sources of natural nutrients by selecting and buying only organic products. By organic I mean they are free of insecticides and pesticides and have been carefully grown in nutrient-rich soil (or fed with nutrientrich food). This includes meat and poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables. With all the organic products available today, theres simply no excuse not to make these healthful foods part of your daily diet. Give it a head start, so to speak. I personally find organic food to taste better as well. Just an added benefit.
Fat and Carbohydrates the real story There are all kinds of diets out there, some claiming that low-fat, high carbohydrate are the way to go, while others stress high-protein, high fat and little in the way of carbohydrates. I find this is all much too confusing. I dont want to have to keep a chart in front of me with special weights and measures for everything I put into my mouth! Thats just too stressful. What I find most helpful is to concentrate on the essence of what I want to eat: fresh, mostly whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts, plenty of fish, and essential oils. Ill cover each of these in more detail, but the point is to see the big picture, not to get too bogged down in the details. While its true that all food is made from protein, fat and carbohydrates in varying proportions, the amounts we ingest as well as the types (alone or in combination) are what makes the difference in either healing our bodies or contributing to its overall decline. In fact, we know that fibroids are made larger by estrogen. So, in order to shrink fibroids, one way is to switch to a vegetarian diet, or at least increase the amounts and types of fresh, whole, organic fruits and vegetables as possible. Plant estrogens, animal estrogens and xenoestrogens Before I go any further, Id like to comment on the differences between plant and animal estrogens and xenoestrogens. Ill start with xenoestrogens first. The root xeno literally means foreign. So xenoestrogens are foreign estrogens. In other words, they are not natural. Instead, they come from the chemicals, pesticides and environmental sources around us. Bisphenol A is one such environmental estrogen that escapes from the plastic which lines many juice and dairy containers when subjected to heat. Xenoestrogens are also present in many meats and dairy products as a result of the growth hormones and chemicals fed to the animals. Xenoes-
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trogens and environmental estrogens lead to fibroid growth in women and should be avoided. In general, avoid pesticides on your foods. Wash them thoroughly to remove any traces of these harmful xenoestrogens. Phytoestrogens (phyto, meaning plant) are actually naturally occurring compounds that are in many plant foods such as seeds, grains and beans. They are like estrogen mimics in that they break down estrogen in the body. They are also weak estrogens, unlike the real estrogen, HRT (or synthetic estrogen) or xenoestrogens. If you dont have too much estrogen and want to supplement your diet with estrogen due to menopause, fibroids or hysterectomy, you can obtain this through foods that contain phytoestrogens. Some of these foods include legumes (isoflavonoid phytoestrogens), beans (lignan phytoestrogens) and split peas, lima and pinto beans (coumestan phytoestrogens). Animal estrogens are those that come from meat and poultry. In general, avoid all non-organic meats and poultry and stick to hormone-free and organic products. Back to Food Our bodies need energy that comes from food. I want to make sure that you, as well as me, consume more of the foods that contribute to my overall health and well-being, and help get rid of fibroids, and less of the foods that have a negative impact and/or foster growth of fibroids. According to the American Heart Association, most people benefit from a diet that includes about 30% or less in daily fat intake. Seriously obese individuals may even take that down to 10% fat intake per day of the worst kind of fats. Id recommend a 30-25-20 rule of thumb (with allowances for individual body type). By this I mean a daily intake of about 30% (up to maybe 55%) carbohydrates, 25% (no more than 40%) protein and 20% (top end of 30%) in fats.
Is this difficult to do? Not at all, once you take a look at specific types and kinds of foods that are known to be beneficial to overall bodily health and well-being, as well as to reducing, preventing, or getting rid of fibroids. Lets start with my personal favorite. Fresh fruits I love fresh fruit, no doubt about it. Just picture a bowl of freshly picked, organic strawberries. Cant you just smell their tangy sweetness! Big, luscious, ripe red berries at the peak of freshness. Theyre loaded with vitamin C and bioflavinoids that contribute to your bodys overall health and they do great at lessening pain from menstrual cramps that often accompany fibroids. How about a bowl of blueberry, raspberry, marionberry and blackberry compote? How wonderful is that! These fresh and organic fruits have the added benefit of being potent anti-oxidants and loads of other nutrients your body needs in order to fight fibroids. Apples are not only delicious, but they also contain pectin, which is vital to assist your body in eliminating waste. When I eat fruit, I want to make sure I eat as much of the whole fruit as possible. This means eating the skin of the apple, fuzzy exterior of the peach, etc. I always thoroughly wash the fruit first, of course, to remove any residual traces of substances it may have come in contact with on the way to the market. Again, I buy only organic. But even organic foods have been handled by other people, so wash, wash, and wash. With so many fruits to choose from, you can start your day off with fresh-squeezed orange juice, grab an apple or piece of fruit as a snack, and have fruit for dessert. Why not? Theyre a great way to give your body the natural sweetness it craves as well as benefit your overall health.
Fresh vegetables Next on my grocery list and yours is fresh vegetables. Of course, they need to be organic. The more leafy and green they are, the better they are for you. When you make a salad and this is something I recommend you have daily, try a mixture of lettuces like red or green leaf, escarole, and spring mix and baby romaine. Dont be afraid to experiment with new greens either. Try some chard, kale, maybe even some dandelion leaves (cleaned and washed, of course). Add some chopped radicchio, grated carrots, bean sprouts, chopped red or sweet onion, sliced cucumber, tomatoes, any kind of pepper (red, green, yellow or orange), and maybe even some sliced beets (ones you have parboiled and kept in the refrigerator, not out of a can). Take a teaspoon of oregano and pinch it between your fingers over the salad greens, then toss with spoons or your clean hands. Top with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar or sprinkle with lemon juice and, voila instant nutritious salad! Another great tip for vegetables is the darker they are in color, the better they are for healing your body. This includes beets, sweet potatoes, squash, yams, pumpkin, radishes, the aforementioned red, yellow, orange and green peppers, carrots, broccoli, bok choy, cabbage (red or green or Chinese) the list goes on. They are delicious cooked just enough to be tender but not so much they turn to mush. For the sweet potatoes and yams, you can even eat the skins in fact, the skins are a source of excellent nutrients that are usually tossed in the trash. Root vegetables (all those vegetables with a root) like the onions and carrots mentioned above, along with potatoes, yams and turnips, and the leafy green vegetables, all contain vital phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other necessary trace minerals your body needs to fight fibroids. Make sure to give yourself ample variety of delicious and nutritious vegetables that contribute to your health (and the elimination of your fibroids).
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Now, Id like to say a word about onions and garlic. I cant think of one good meal that doesnt contain them. Really! Breakfast, for example. When I poach eggs (organic, of course), I like to place them on a bed of spinach that Ive wilted in the steamer with a sprinkle of minced garlic in them. Next comes a nice slice of raw onion, then a juicy slice of tomato and finally the egg. I do try to limit my intake of eggs each week, as I do with all dairy. More on this later. Lunch and dinner, same thing I have to have my garlic and onion. Not only are these terrific flavor enhancers, theyre good for your body in that they contain powerful antioxidants. This is an absolute must to keep your gynecological health (your female hormones and functioning) in proper order. Any relative of the onion family is included here as well, like leeks, chives, scallions as well as all parts of the garlic (bulb and shoots). Come to think of it, Ive even seen dessert recipes that add onion and garlic. That may be taking it a bit too far, but if you like it, why not? The Good Oils Before I launch into the meat (or fish and poultry) category, I want to say a word about the good oils or the good fats. Our body needs fat in order to function properly. But it needs the good fats, or the good oils, not the bad ones. What are the good oils? Olive oil tops the list in terms of cooking and salad oils. Other oils include the rich Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. Omega 6 is found in safflower, sunflower and other vegetable oils Stay away from saturated fats and butter as much as possible. Try healthy cold-pressed oils or butter buds flavoring as a topping for vegetables if you are desperate. Or, and even better yet, squirt some lemon juice over your broccoli, asparagus, or other vegetables.
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Protein Sources If youre like me, you love a great piece of fish cooked just right. My favorite fish has to be salmon, maybe because my husband is a chef and he ceaselessly amazes me with all the healthy variations of salmon dishes he brings to the table. Not that I dont cook, but hes the true artist. In fact, one of the recipes Ill share below comes right from him. Salmon, like mackerel, is a cold water fish. Its rich in protein and essential Omega-3 fatty acids that your body craves. Its these fish oils that your body also needs in order to manufacture natural anti-inflammatory prostaglandin. And prostaglandin is natures own way of combating fibroids and the associated pelvic pain they cause many women. When you buy fish, make sure youre getting fresh-water fish. Dont settle for farm-raised fish. You never know what type of food or additives theyve been given! Eggs are also a good source of protein and DHA, another essential fatty acid. As far as poultry is concerned, stick with chicken and turkey and steer clear of duck. Duck, while very tasty to some (I believe it is an acquired taste), contains much too much fat. For meat, I recommend you leave red meat alone to the extent possible. If you do consume meat, make sure its organic and as lean as possible. You really need to watch out for all the artificial hormones that are pumped into meat. These negatively affect your body, particularly if you have fibroids, since they increase production of bad prostaglandins and excess estrogen. And estrogen that comes from most animal products enlarges fibroids. If you do eat meat, stick to that which is hormone-free and organic. These meats are available at your local health food store and in most upscale supermarkets. Ive
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noticed a great influx of organic and hormone-free meat and poultry products in just the last year alone. This is the power of the media at work! Thank goodness! For hamburgers, try a turkey burger or soy burger instead. Itll taste just as good over time (again, if youve been used to beef, youll need to re-train your body to adjust to turkey), and its so much better for you. Legumes, Nuts and Seeds Theres an old saying about beans being the magical fruit Well, beans arent a fruit, but they are pretty magical when it comes to a womans bodily health. These legumes (beans and peas), along with nuts and seeds, contain phytoestrogenic lignans this is the good estrogen that your body needs. Theyre also great sources of help to balance your bodys hormones. Nuts and seeds are also great sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Do you know that seeds are one of the best sources of essential fatty acids and vitamins you can consume? The list of good seeds includes flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. You can add flax seed to muffins (theyre great in a banana muffin mix), or sprinkle some on your salads or whole grain cereal. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc, which, in turn produces testosterone. And your body needs testosterone to boost your libido and to keep your muscles toned. Whole Grains When you make a sandwich, make sure its with whole grain bread. None of this white bread, sorry! Banish white bread, and white rice and white flour from your shopping list and cupboards entirely. Bad, bad, gone! Lignins, which are found in whole grains and whole grain products, are actually anti-estrogenic. What are these whole grains? These include flaxseed, millet, oats, buckwheat, rye, corn, rice, wheat and barley.
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Rice dishes are delicious and tasty, especially when made with organic chicken broth, but make sure the rice is brown, long or whole grain. No white rice which is completely non-nutritious. A Word About Fiber Most of us dont consume enough fiber to do the good our bodies need. Your body requires fiber in order to properly eliminate waste and to allow your food to digest properly. By eating fiber, you can help your body maintain a healthy digestive tract. This allows your body to absorb the nutrients it requires to combat fibroids. Lack of fiber also causes your body to become constipated. Did you know that a normal bowel movement is between 1-3 times per day? Due to our fiber-poor diets, many American women erroneously believe that a bowel movement every 3-4 days is normal. This is very bad. Why? When food remains undigested in the large intestine, the greater the likelihood that it will putrefy. Putrefaction leads to the creation of harmful waste products which then may be reabsorbed back into the blood stream. The headaches accompanying constipation are caused by these toxins and their irritation. Ive already covered the importance of drinking water in your daily routine. Just an additional 2 glasses of water can help alleviate constipation, keep your body regular and assist in your natural treatment of fibroids. Fiber-rich diets assist your body to extract excess estrogen and excess estrogen feeds fibroids, so you definitely want fiber on a daily basis! You can add fiber to your diet with about 7 grams per day of fiber products available at your local health food store or Whole Foods, Trader Joes or other organic food and produce market.
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Foods to Avoid Ill cover these briefly, since most of them youre probably pretty familiar with already, or you can tell just by looking at them that theyre something you need to stay away from. First up, I recommend you watch your alcohol intake. Alcohol doesnt do one good thing for your body (dont give me that argument that it loosens you up and puts you in a good mood). A good hike can do that. So can deep breathing or meditation. Nope, alcohol is just plain not good for your body, especially a womans body. Especially a woman who has fibroids. Why? Because it stresses the liver and directly affects the way your body can metabolize your hormones. Decrease your salt intake. Sure, it may make your food taste better right now, but in the long run other things make it taste just as good and are better for you. Instead of reaching for that salt shaker, try salt substitute or sprinkle lemon juice on your food. Salt increases bloating and fluid retention neither of which are good things when youre trying to combat fibroids. Too much sugar robs your body of essential B vitamins and minerals. This, in turn, can make any muscle tension and soreness, anxiety and irritability due to fibroids even worse. Try sugar substitute instead. Cooking with Splenda is a wonderful alternative to refined sugar. High on the list of no-nos is saturated fats. These contain a nasty thing known as arachidonic acid (sounds just as bad as it is) that stimulates your body to produce prostaglandins that not only increase pain in your pelvic area, but also inflammation. Limit your intake of dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt and cottage cheeses. Too much of these can cause women problems because they are another chief source of arachidonic acid. Instead, consume organic milk, cheese, yogurt and cottage cheese that are made from organic soybeans, rice, almonds and oats.
I did promise you some recipes, didnt I? Here are just a few you can try. Once you try them out, you can experiment with other variations using different ingredients. Enjoy!
Lemon-Herb Baked Chicken

Benefits to women with fibroids: Organic chicken contains essential iron and protein, garlic Start with a nice-sized young chicken (organic). Thoroughly wash the chicken inside and out and pat dry with paper towel. Place in a glass rectangular dish and assemble your other ingredients. Pour a tablespoon of good extra virgin olive oil (cold pressed) into your hands and rub all over the bird, picking up the skin flap and rubbing underneath. Dont forget to rub inside the cavity as well. Next, sprinkle some minced garlic into a bowl and then rub some rosemary and a little thyme into it. You may wish to add a dash of kosher salt or salt substitute as well, but go lightly! Get this mixture on your hands and thoroughly rub the entire bird with it, being careful to get it nice and thick beneath the skin flap. Wash your hands. In a 3500 preheated oven, bake the chicken uncovered for about one hour (or until the juices run clear). Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes, then slice and serve. You can easily peel aside the skin before you serve it or at the table. You dont want to eat the skin. I just leave it on because the skin, with the olive oil and herbs mixture, adds so much to the chickens flavor and natural juiciness. Youll never taste a juicier bird! P.S. You can try this recipe with capons, or Cornish hens, as well. Also, instead of flat in the pan, you can stand up the chicken or bird on one of those cute little perches they sell in stores like Williams-Sonoma or your department stores kitchen department.
Flash-seared and broiled Herbed-Dill Salmon

Benefits to women with fibroids: EFAs (essential fatty acids, including Omega 3) in the salmon, antioxidants with the herb dill. Begin with a nice filet of lean wild Coho salmon (wild is best). Wash and pat dry. Rub a tablespoon of olive oil all over the fish (front and back sides). Sprinkle a teaspoon of dill, maybe a little thyme in your fingers and pinch to release the essential spices over the fish, and then rub the mixture into the fish on both sides. Quickly sear the fish in a cast iron skillet and baste with a ginger-garlic or teriyaki glaze. Then transfer the fish to the broiler to finish off with about five minutes broiling time. Bring to the table immediately. By the way, as youll see in the following chapter on supplements, women with fibroids need daily intake of iron. Cooking with a cast-iron skillet improves your bodys ability to absorb the iron available in foods. This fish is excellent with a sweet potato and fresh tossed salad.
Baked Cinnamon Apple

Benefits to women with fibroids: Pectin, a natural digestive agent and antioxidants from the apple. Start with one medium sized organic Fuji apple per person. I like the Fuji because it holds together nicely when baked and has just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. Wash them thoroughly in a mild detergent (or fruit cleaning agent now sold in supermarkets) to completely free them from any residual traces they may have from their travels. Core the apples using an apple corer. This handy little device doesnt cost much money and is available everywhere they sell kitchen supplies. It sure beats trying to cut out the core and seeds with a paring knife, although that is an alternative.
Place the cored apples in a round glass baking dish. You can line the dish with aluminum foil if you like. Next, prepare a mixture of ! cup Splenda per apple, " teaspoon of cinnamon per apple and mix together. Chop up a good supply of organic walnuts (about a cup total), and measure about a cup of raisins (golden taste the best). Sprinkle half of the Splenda/cinnamon mixture into the apple cavities and then fill the cavities with the walnuts and raisins. Then top the apples with the rest of the Splenda/cinnamon mixture. Bake in an oven covered with aluminum foil for about an hour at 3500 and then remove the aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes to brown. The reason you cover them at first is to make sure the Splenda/ cinnamon mixture doesnt burn. Remove from the oven and let them cool until warm. Then serve immediately. This is one dessert youll want to make over and over again. Its absolutely wonderful! Okay, that was fun! Im hungry myself. But beyond food, there are still more ways we can help our bodies to become healthy and to rid ourselves of fibroids.
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Chapter 5
SUPPLEMENTS
Now that Ive covered food and wasnt it delicious you might think that you have everything you need, nutritionally speaking, with food alone. Thats so not true! Not when youre dealing with the issue or presence of fibroids in your body. Oh, you could go without taking any supplements. Lots of women do. But I certainly wouldnt recommend that as a course of action. I think youll agree and if youre still reading this guide, Im almost positive of it that you and I want whats absolutely best for our bodies. That best includes taking supplements. Not just any and all supplements, but the appropriate supplements in the right amounts in order to do the job. The key vitamins you want to make sure to include are Vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins are also potent anti-oxidants which help rid your body of free-radical damage. Whats the big deal about free radicals? And what are they, anyway? Well, free radicals are groups of atoms that contain an unpaired number of atoms (that means they have an odd number of atoms). When oxygen and certain molecules mix in your body, free radicals are formed. The problem is that free radicals are highly reactive they build upon each other creating a chain reaction throughout the body. When they start to react with your bodys cell mechanisms or your bodys DNA, they really cause trouble. The cells will either function poorly or die. Yes, I said die. Ive thoroughly researched this subject and find a great deal of scientific evidence that supports the fact that free radicals cause our bodies to age. That includes our organs, especially our reproductive organs, which need to be healthy for optimum efficiency.
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The body has its own natural defense system against free radicals in the form of antioxidants. What are antioxidants? They are actually molecules that can combat the free radicals (like the front line of an army) and stop the damaging free radical chain reaction. Your own body has specific enzymes that help scavenge free radicals (destroy them), but the best additional sources of antioxidants come from Vitamin A (Betacarotene), Vitamin C and Vitamin E. More about this in a minute. The most up-to-date scientific and medical thinking encourages women to take supplements for about three months, and then have medical follow-up to evaluate the success of the supplementation. In essence, what you will be doing with the supplementation is taking vitamin supplements in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle changes you undertake in order to effectively deal with your fibroids. There are other vitamins and minerals, and Ill discuss each of them in turn, but for now, Id like to dive into the big three. Vitamin A Vitamin A, also known as Betacarotene, is of vital importance when it comes to fibroids for a couple of reasons. Not only does it protect cells against damage, it also assists cells to reproduce normally. And red blood production is dependent on adequate supplies of Vitamin A. If you have heavy bleeding, Ill almost bet that your doctor will diagnose you with a Vitamin A deficiency. One study I found showed that about 92% of women who suffered heavy bleeding enjoyed significant improvement or a cure when they took prescription supplemental Vitamin A. As you know, heavy bleeding is one of the symptoms of fibroids. So, Vitamin A needs to be on your list of supplements. But how much should you take? The usual dosage for this supplemental vitamin is 25,000 IU per day. Please note that if youre pregnant, do not take Vitamin A.
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Vitamin C Another potent anti-oxidant and water soluble vitamin, Vitamin C helps a womans body to absorb the mineral iron. Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids can help strengthen your bodys capillaries (or small blood vessels), which can lead to reduced heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. Bioflavonoids are plant-based natural compounds. Bioflavonoids also inhibit fibroid tumor growth by regulating your bodys estrogen balance. Coupled with the Vitamin C, they are a valuable addition to your daily supplement routine. One study I found detailed excellent results (about 82% successful) with women who had heavy bleeding when they took 200 mg of Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids three times per day. Vitamin C is also beneficial in combating stress and/or emotional difficulties. Dosages for women with fibroids: 1,000 mg of Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids per day. Vitamin E The last of the big three, Vitamin E has come under a great deal of scrutiny in recent years. Some studies have claimed no benefits to anti-aging, while others, perhaps even more scientifically sound, offer proof of Vitamin Es ability to keep your body younger looking. Whats the real truth? What should you believe when it comes to fibroids? The truth is that symptoms caused by high levels of estrogen in the body can be alleviated by a treatment of Vitamin E supplements. How the vitamin works is that it equalizes the level of the estrogen hormone in your body. Vitamin E is often called the golden capsule for its potent abilities to promote healthy immune systems, heart and brain. Cornells Weill Medical College Center
for Womens Healthcare lists Vitamin Es many benefits including those for sufferers of Alzheimers, heart disease, asthma and diabetes and improving immunity. In addition, there is a great deal of evidence that low levels of Vitamin E are linked to early stages of cervical cancer. But the most important finding from the study, in my opinion, centers on Vitamin E as a supplementation regime for treatment of peri- and post-menopausal women and their related symptoms which can include fibroids. Symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes, so common to peri- and post-menopausal women, appear to be greatly or somewhat relieved by Vitamin E supplementation. But you dont have to be approaching or in menopause to benefit from taking Vitamin E. In fact, fibroids can cause painful periods (dysmenorrhea), lasting for 1-3 days and during which you may suffer a great deal of pain (okay, make that almost unbearable, Ive been there) in the lower abdomen, lower back and inner thighs. Dysmenorrhea can be primary or secondary to another condition like endometriosis or fibroids. Women also may feel bloated, nauseous, experience breast tenderness, diarrhea and headaches. Dysmenorrhea is believed to be caused by prostaglandins, which cause the uterus to contract and thus decreasing blood flow and causing pain. Vitamin E acts as an inhibitor of the synthesis of prostaglandin. Most recommended dose is 400-800 IUs per day, taken with meals. This is because Vitamin E is an oil-soluble vitamin that your body absorbs better with food.
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Other Supplements Vitamins and Minerals B-Complex Vitamins The range of B Vitamins offer a womans body effective means of combating fibroids. These can be taken together in one B Complex capsule, or by themselves in order to obtain maximum effect of the higher dosages of that particular B Vitamin. What Ill list here under B Complex Vitamins is what is recommended you take daily for your fibroid condition. I hear you asking how B Complex Vitamins heal your body of fibroids? The answer is in a number of ways: they help your body to resist infection, improve your energy and overall well-being, and most important, they regulate your bodys hormonal balance. Vitamin B1 (or thiamine) , Vitamin B2 (also called riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin and niacinamide), Pantothenic Acid (also known as Vitamin B3), Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 are all considered part of the B Complex Vitamins. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin B1 helps your nervous system maintain balance. It also helps detox your body and boost energy production. Most recommended dose is 10-150 mg daily. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Many women, who suffer migraine headaches caused by heavy bleeding due to fibroids, can benefit from taking Vitamin B2. This vitamin also assists the body to boost energy, overcome chronic fatigue, and, for prevention of cancer, it regulates glutathione. Most recommended dose is 10-30 mg daily.
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Vitamin B3 (Niacin and Niacinamide) Niacin helps to lower your bodys total cholesterol, and when taken in amounts of 200 mcg per day, will prevent the niacin flush that most women find uncomfortable (even if it doesnt last very long). Niacinamide has been shown to alleviate joint pain and stiffness as well as its key benefit of assisting in the regulation of your bodys blood sugar levels. I have seen studies that state that higher levels of niacin and niacinamide may cause a risk to your liver enzymes that may ultimately result in liver damage. A healthy liver is essential to fighting fibroids. Therefore, I recommend a lower dose of each, depending on what your doctor recommends for your particular condition. Most recommended dose is 200 mg of niacin daily and 100-500 mg per day of niacinamide. Pantothenic Acid (also Vitamin B3) Your body needs optimum adrenal gland health in order to combat fibroids. Pantothenic Acid (also a Vitamin B3) helps promote healthy adrenal glands as well as to boost your bodys energy. Most recommended dose is 500 mg taken 3 times per day. Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 has a whole host of benefits for women who have fibroids. It not only helps relieve the water retention and breast tenderness that women with fibroids often have, it also regulates hormonal balance that is so critical in eliminating fibroids. One way Vitamin B6 does this is that it helps your liver break down estrogen. Most recommended dose is 200 mg daily (unless your physician advises you take a greater amount).
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Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 should be taken along with folic acid daily by women who have fibroids as well as women without fibroids. Why? Its because your body needs B12 for overall bodily health as well as reproductive health. B12 also works to prevent anemia in women. Food sources of B12 include clams and oily fish, as well as meats (which you should steer clear of), dairy products (which you should limit) and eggs. So, the sources are fairly limited. Daily supplementation with Vitamin B12 will give your body what it needs. Most recommended dose is 2.4 mcg per day. Folic Acid Folates, which are found in many foods such as green, leafy vegetables, fruits, bananas, avocados, asparagus, dried peas and beans and yeast, are helpful to control anemia in women. In synthetic form, the folate is called folic acid. Folic acid, a B vitamin, is twice as strong as natural folate that comes from foods. While anemia isnt necessarily connected with fibroids, it often occurs due to heavy or excessive bleeding that fibroids do cause. Taking folic acid daily is recommended for all women, especially women with fibroids. Most recommended dose is 400+ mcg daily. Iron Many American women who experience heavy bleeding due to fibroids may also be diagnosed with an iron deficiency. During the heavy menstrual flow, their bodies lose iron and red blood cells. Iron is also lost from slowly bleeding fibroids. These women will need iron supplementation in order to bring their required iron levels back into balance as well as have the underlying causes of the bleeding treated.
The best way to increase iron levels in your diet is to eat foods rich in iron. These foods include iron-rich oysters and clams, organ meat, and beef, poultry and fish. Its also true that about 60% of iron in meat is poorly absorbed in your body, so you can also find iron in eggs, vegetables (especially green, leafy vegetables) and dairy products. But for women with anemia caused by fibroids (heavy bleeding, for example), iron from their diet isnt enough, and it isnt absorbed adequately in their bodies to do much good. Ive seen a number of studies that recommend daily supplementation with iron in order to restore iron levels. The reason is that the heavy bleeding those fibroids often causes may lead to severe iron deficiency anemia which must be treated. I recommend that you consult your doctor about the need for and required dose of supplemental iron before you start taking it on your own. Iron supplements are available in both ferrous and ferric forms. Your doctor will prescribe which type is best for you and in what dose. Since the amount of iron your body absorbs decreases with increased doses, Ive found that its best to space out your iron supplementation during the day. Taking iron pills may also cause some discomfort such as constipation, heartburn and stomach upset. To alleviate the discomfort, try these tips: make sure you take the pills with food, start slowly with the dose (one pill a day for 3-5 days, then increase to 2 pills daily if you arent showing symptoms), never take the pill at bedtime if it upsets your stomach and discuss changing to a different brand with your doctor if all else fails. Most recommended dose varies, depending on your condition and your physicians advice. According to the CDC, for adult women who are not pregnant, and who are menstruating, and may have iron deficiency anemia, about 300 mcg per day may be taken with your doctors recommendation. Most common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, dark stools, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Calcium In my research for this guide, I found an interesting fact. Did you know that the uterus, which is basically muscle, is susceptible to a deficiency of calcium? This also pertains to the next mineral, magnesium. Both minerals, if deficient in your bodys muscles, will cause your uterine muscles to become hyperactive, most likely followed by cramping. By taking a calcium supplement daily, you are helping your uterine muscles to maintain their good tone and helping out with uterine fibroids! Most recommended dose is 800 mg per day (if youre menstruating) and up to as much as 1,500 mg daily for postmenopausal women. Magnesium Citrate Here is a wonderful supplement. Why do I say that? Its because it offers so much benefit that I find its like the hidden Christmas present underneath the tree. You dont expect it and therefore, its a delightful surprise. Magnesium, as I mentioned in the calcium segment, if deficient in your bodys uterine muscles, can lead to hyperactivity and cramping. Magnesium is ideal for relaxing the uterine muscles, thus avoiding the hyperactive and cramping states. Magnesium is also a prime motivator to detoxify your liver of excess estrogen, as well as to produce the prostaglandin your body does need. Here are some of the bonus benefits: magnesium helps alleviate tension caused by nerves, it stabilizes blood sugar, greatly benefits the functioning of your heart and is a tremendous aid in the prevention as well as treatment of osteoporosis. Most recommended dose is 400-800 mg per day. Since calcium may interfere with the absorption of magnesium, most doctors recommend about half as much magnesium per calcium per day. So, if youre taking 800 mg of calcium daily, youd take 400 mg of magnesium as well. If your dose of calcium is 1,500 per day, youd take 750-800 mg of magnesium with it.
Selenium Selenium is a trace mineral, and another potent antioxidant that a womans body needs to fight the damage of free radicals. Our body produces energy by breaking down sugars and proteins into fuel (metabolism) and this metabolic process also creates excess electric molecules which can damage your bodys internal organisms. Selenium supplementation provides an effective shield against this damage and is particularly advisable for women with fibroids. Most recommended dose is 200-400 mcg taken daily. Chromium Picolinate Taking chromium picolinate daily assists your body to regulate its blood sugar levels. It is also believed to be beneficial in preventing diabetes. Chromium picolinate has an additional benefit you may find helpful. It helps to curb cravings for sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, this is right up your alley! Most recommended dose is 200-400 mcg daily (although Ive seen as high as 600 mcg in some studies). Zinc Zinc supplementation assists the womans body to absorb enzymes, thus allowing it to function at peak efficiency. Zinc also helps decrease inflammation that comes with fibroids, boosts the immune system, regulates hormones and boosts the production of white blood cells. Most recommended dose is 30-60 mg daily. Quercetin and Bromelain I love these two names. Dont they sound exotic? Perhaps thats because bromelain is a pineapple-derived enzyme (it comes from pineapples). Quercetin, a naturally
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occurring polyphenolic plant compound, supports the body by increasing its resistance to allergic response. Bromelain counteracts inflammation in the bodys mucous membranes and helps with persistent inflammation problems. I recommend that you take quercetin with bromelain as a supplement. Most recommended dose is 300-500 mg of quercetin 3 times daily along with 2,000-3,000 MCU (or milk-clotting units) of bromelain. Ive found many brands offer the two together, so this is ideal if youre worried about too many supplements to carry around with you (especially if youre traveling). Take these before a meal, not after. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) can be one of your most powerful elements in combating heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. Since red meat and dairy products contain arachidonic acid, which promotes the production of bad prostaglandin (also known as PGE2), by taking EFAs, you can help your body to counter production of bad prostaglandin with production of good prostaglandins. Sound complicated? Its really not. Let me simplify it a little. Bad prostaglandins tend to lead to increased blood flow, with a resulting lowered blood clotting ability. Good prostaglandins, created by consuming EFAs, help reduce normal blood clotting and blood flow. This is particularly important for women with fibroids who have excessive or heavy bleeding. EFAs are Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 oils and are found in a number of sources as well as commercial supplements (oil or capsules). EFAs are found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel (richest in Omega 3 oils), and in nuts and seeds and oils such as linseed and flaxseed. Safflower oil is rich in
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Omega 6. Flaxseed oil contains both Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils, and is therefore very beneficial. Id like to point out that most EFA oils have a nutty taste. They should be kept cold, or refrigerated, so they retain their potency. If it tastes bitter, it has gone rancid and should be thrown out. Also, I dont recommend you keep EFAs for longer than 3-4 weeks after you first open them, so its best to buy in small quantities. Most recommended dose is 1,000 mg of linseed oil daily or between 1-3 tablespoons of oil daily. Liquid offers more intense benefits at less quantity than do capsules, and is therefore preferred.
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Chapter 6
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE & ACUPRESSURE
Now Id like to talk about a very popular alternative approach to the issue of fibroids one that comes from a respected body of medicine practiced for thousands of years in China traditional Chinese medicine (or TCM) and acupressure. In fact, TCM and acupressure are very valuable natural and holistic-approach weapons in your arsenal to fight the presence (and recurrence) of fibroids. Before I get too far into the issue, and because the topic of TCM and acupressure could easily fill an entire book just by itself (I dont want to lose you!), Id like to clear up a few points and define some terms -- to set the stage, so to speak. What is TCM? According to TCM philosophy and practice, the persons entire life needs to be in balance. This means the patients physical well-being, as well as emotional and spiritual. TCM does not preclude traditional medicine. It actually works in concert with it. Many TCM practices are very similar to those utilized by traditional physicians. For example, no TCM practitioner would prescribe a set of procedures or practices without first conducting a thorough interview and examination. Also, the emphasis of the practitioner is as a facilitator to the patients health since its the patient who actually takes charge of his or her well-being. The emphasis of TCM, therefore, is on prevention and makes use of non-invasive and natural medical approaches. TCM an ancient healing system based on rich insights and well-established practices over thousands of years
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Holistic TCM focuses on the entire body, mind, emotion and spirit since all are connected and must be in balance for the individuals well-being Multifaceted The TCM approach includes a number of various modalities such as herbal medicine, acupuncture and acupressure, massage and others to help the individual restore balance to their body. Comprehensive In TCM, the causes of the condition are addressed as well as the actual condition itself. What Causes Fibroids? According to the TCM view, fibroids are caused by two recognizable patterns of illness and imbalance: liver qi stagnation and blood stasis. Qi (pronounced as chee), is the energy that flows throughout the human body. There is congenital qi that which we are born with and acquired qi which comes from what we eat, our lifestyle, etc. There are different types of qi throughout the body, and the actions and consequences of this qi reflect the persons overall well-being, or lack of it. In other words, to be healthy, your qi must be in balance. Qi governs everything. But, back to the cause of fibroids: liver qi stagnation and blood stasis. Ill begin with liver qi stagnation. What is Liver Qi Stagnation? I know this may seem tough, but it gets better and it will all make sense, I promise you. If were talking about qi as the energy that moves through the body, then stagnation in any part of the body is not good. Lets look at the liver and what its functions are in order to understand liver qi stagnation. The livers main function is to store blood and to regulate blood volume circulation back to the body as required. Did you know that when you rest, your liver stores
blood and that when you move about, your heart circulates blood? Therefore, it follows that if the livers blood storage function is abnormal or impaired, this will affect other parts of the body. Are you with me so far? Great! The liver also harmonizes the emotions. When qi is normal, there is good circulation of blood and qi, and the persons emotions are in a harmonious state. Liver qi stagnation may bring about a number of symptoms including irregular menstruation, feelings of unhappiness or crying, feeling of fullness in the chest or hypochondria. Any sudden emotional change, like intense anger or deep depression, can affect the liver-qi function and result in pathological changes or liver qi stagnation. Some symptoms of liver qi stagnation include: Poor appetite Churning stomach sensation Irregular or painful periods Pain or discomfort anywhere about the sides of your body PMS, along with swollen breasts and/or irritability Abdominal discomfort and pain Constipation Stomachache that gets worse with anger Stomachache that lessens in intensity (seems to get better) with massage Mood swings Frustration Depression
Inappropriate anger Hiccupping Sighing Difficulty in swallowing Sensation of a lump in your mouth Bitter mouth taste What is Blood Stasis? Blood stasis or zue yu -is actually a pathological blockage of blood circulation somewhere within the body. In a normal and well-functioning individual, blood flows to the vessels propelled by the heart-qi. A number of factors may cause stagnation or flow of blood which ultimately leads to blood retention (blood stasis) in the vessels or viscera. Another term frequently used is micro clots. Some symptoms of blood stasis include: Limb or body numbness Extremities showing purple (lips, fingers, toes) Bleeding blood in urine and/or stool, heavy bleeding during menopause, coughing out or vomiting blood, nose or gum bleeding or general bleeding from some body part Tumors or swollen body parts Purple, bruised tongue Tongue veins (the veins under the tongue) swollen, puffy and twisted Nose and face capillaries showing
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Depression Dementia Persistent hiccupping Anxiety Chest pains Mild fever that appears gradually, beginning at dusk Persistent fullness feeling in body, head and limbs Skin thats rough and scaly Dark eyes and/or lips Inability to sleep insomnia Pulse thats uneven or tight and tense Needle-prick pains at fixed points on the body In general, problems that are associated with blood stasis include hematological (blood-related) changes as well as tissue-related changes. I know what youre thinking. What does all this have to do with fibroids? Well, Im getting there. In fact, Ill begin now. What Is The TCM Protocol For Getting Rid of Fibroids? Ive found lots of supporting evidence that TCM has had good success in the elimination (and/or reduction) of fibroid tumors less than 2 cm in size (about 1 inch). These tumors seem to respond very well to TCM treatment with Chinese herbs, exercises and acupuncture/acupressure.
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Women with fibroids and anemia may also have anemia that requires their red blood count to be increased in concert with TCM. In any event, TCM protocol for removing fibroids goes right to the essence of the cause treating the pattern of imbalance, invigorating the patients blood and removing any blood stasis and other precipitating factors. A unique (to the patient, according to the causes) course of herbal medicine is prescribed. Acupuncture and acupressure are also recommended to address and stimulate points associated with blood stasis, the uterus and hormonal factors, among others. TCM Suggestions to Get Rid of Fibroids Diet It should come as no surprise that a healthy diet lowers your risk of fibroids. And, eating wisely can help you reduce the severity of ones you may have, according to some studies Ive seen. Some studies show a link between women who regularly consumed beef and ham to instances of fibroids. Avoid red meat, but do eat lots of fish as fish are rich in Omega 3 oils that are a fantastic tonic for your body. Whatever meat or poultry you do eat, try to eat organic as much as possible. Other studies indicate that women who consumed alcohol (especially beer) had higher incidences of fibroid tumors. On the opposite spectrum, women who ate fresh fruits and green vegetables were less likely to develop the condition. Again, make sure these are organic! Garlic, spearmint, peppermint, rosemary and thyme, oregano, sweet basil, saffron, turmeric, mustard and caraway seed are not only great for cooking delicious meals, theyre also powerful food ingredients to help you move the qi and combat fibroids. In addition, chicken is terrific. Just think of the different kinds of chicken dishes you can make with the spices I just mentioned. Um-mm good! Soy and soy products like tofu, along sweet potato, squash, red and black dates and cherries are also excellent foods.
Eat lots of walnuts. Not only are they delicious, theyre very good for you. To resolve blood stasis, eat plenty of lemons, limes, onions and kelp. Drink milk thistle tea as well to help your body heal! Bottom line, you should eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables, raw or uncooked, as possible. Stay away from red meat and limit your alcohol consumption. These dietary changes are easy for you to accomplish and to make a part of your everyday routine. Just think of how healthy youre making your body! Lifestyle In TCM, lifestyle changes are recommended in concert with diet, exercise and massage, herbal remedies and acupressure. Why? Again, the whole focus of TCM is on balance and free-flowing qi (energy) throughout your body. If I find myself stressed out, on edge, irritable, its a sure sign that my qi is blocked somewhere and Id better take steps to unblock it quick! Lifestyle changes in accordance with TCM include meditation to relax the body and mind, free the spirit and chase away negative ideas, actions and states of mind that lead to unbalance. Dietary changes are a means to help the patient address some issues. These changes not only cover what you eat, but how you eat it, when and what method you use to prepare it. For example, if I have frequent headaches, I may eat cooler foods rather than hot foods (to eliminate the heat) from my body. Tai Chi helps move qi (energy) along the body. Actually a martial art, tai chi is a structured form of exercise that promotes and facilitates healthy changes in blood pressure, immunity, protection from osteoporosis and bodily stability, among others. I find it very enjoyable as well.
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Qi Gong is another practice of moving energy and is also an exercise. When I practice qi gong, my focus is on my breathing and slower movements to promote a relaxed state and improve the flow of energy throughout my body. Acupressure Ah, this is a subject I love! Just the thought of writing these words gives me pleasure. Why, you ask? Its because I know the immense relief acupressure can bring, given the right practitioner. You want to have a TCM practitioner whos had a great deal of experience in healing people with your condition. Dont be afraid to ask them about their success rate. In fact, ask lots of questions! Youre trying to heal your body they are instruments you use in your journey. Now to the nitty-gritty of acupressure and healing fibroids. Im not going to go through each meridian step by step to detail exactly how the acupressure works. I will provide an overview to give you insight into how the acupressure may work in your case. Acupressure, based upon the same principles as acupuncture, is an ancient Chinese technique that utilizes finger pressure on specific body points in order to treat various ailments. These may include stress, anger, and many other conditions as well as various female-related problems like menstruation, menopause and fibroids. The acupressure points run along your bodys meridians (pathways or channels) and they carry your bodys qi or energy. There are 12 meridians and eight extraordinary meridians located about your body. When energy is blocked or restricted in any area of the meridians, disease and pathological conditions occur. The goal, then, is to remove blockages to jumpstart the flow of healthy qi. Id like to point out here that you can perform self-acupressure or you can have a friend assist you by applying the pressure to the appropriate body meridians. Id recommend a quiet and warm room and that the person applying the pressure have
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clean hands with manicured nails (no long fingernails, please!). Cold hands may be first warmed with water to be more comfortable to the touch. On the subject of acupressure to reduce, shrink or eliminate fibroids, there are six main points to concentrate on: Liver 3 or LV3 Located on your big toe and second toe (between your 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones). To stimulate this point, position your right heel between the bones attaching to your large and second toes and knead that point gently for a period of approximately 30 seconds. Then switch sides so that you can stimulate Lv 3 on your other foot. This point will move liver qi stagnation. Large Intestine 4 or LI4 on the padded area of your hand between the thumb and index finger (between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones). Use your thumb to massage this point for 30 seconds on both hands. This is another point to move liver qi stagnation. LV14 Located between your ribs and nipple CV4 Located between your navel and pubic bone Spleen 6 or SP6 Located above your ankle and just off to the side of your shinbone SP10 Located on the inside of your knee, just a bit above the fleshy part of your kneecap bulge The art of acupressure is like regular massage, but with a twist. You are applying pressure in a circular motion to get your energy (qi) moving and remove blockages along the meridians. As such, it also helps remove toxins and cleanse the blood. No needles are required and you may begin to feel your energy moving freely rather quickly. You will certainly experience a sense of relief. If resistance is encountered, Id recommend you or your acupressure practitioner apply a bit more pressure resistance means blockage but not too much! You want to stimulate
the meridian, not overwhelm it. And, your level of pain tolerance may need to increase gradually. Perform the acupressure for about 5-10 minutes per session. Id also like to stress that there are no side effects to acupressure. No drugs to purge from your system. No uncomfortable needles or invasive procedures. Anyone can do it, and you benefit from experience. In other words, the acupressure therapist gets better by performing acupressure! There are any number of books on the subject of acupressure that will teach you the specific areas and techniques. You can even sign up for classes. You can also Google for how to perform acupressure to find a list of reference sites. One good book that has a lot of information and techniques is Acupressures Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments by Michael Reed Gach. The book is just one example I found in a Web search, and it is available through Amazon.com. Want to feel relief? Try acupressure. As a strong believer in acupressures natural healing ability, I guarantee you will feel better! Herbal Remedies Chinese herbal remedies to reduce, shrink or eliminate fibroids can be very effective when used properly. Id strongly recommend that you research thoroughly (or consult your TCM practitioner) to find the right remedies for your own body condition. You dont have to go to a TCM practitioner to realize benefits from herbal remedies. However, if you do, he or she will take into account your entire history, current symptoms and severity, and outline a personalized treatment plan that includes herbal remedies, among other techniques and procedures. That said, we already know that liver qi stagnation and blood stasis are primary culprits in the creation and intensity of fibroids. So, Id like to suggest that any herbal remedies you do undertake will most likely include herbs to get your qi moving again as a primary motivator. But, depending upon your particular condition, I know that youll want to take other Chinese herbs as well. For example, if
liver qi stagnation is due to cold, your remedy will more than likely need to first address herbs to get the qi moving and also warming herbs. If your pain and symptoms are due to blood stasis and qi stagnation, you will probably need herbs to move the blood and qi. Cyperus is considered by many to be the primary as TCMs primary qi regulating herb. Cyperus, also known as purple nutsedge or purple nutgrass, is quite invasive in more than 92 countries as it spreads via rhizomes underground. In China, the roots are collected in fall, and boiled or steamed so that the fibrous roots are burned off. Then the rhizomes are cut in two and left to dry in the sun. In Chinese herbal formulas, cyperus is used to treat blood stasis and liver qi stagnation. There are many different herbal formulas containing cyperus. One is called Yueju Wan (or Pills to Relieve Stagnancy of all Kinds). Another is Liang Fu Wan (actually a combination of two herbs: cyperus and galangal). You can find what you need by asking your Chinese herbal pharmacist about them. Xiao Yao Wan is also used to assist with liver qi stagnation. Some blood stasis herbs will most likely contain an ingredient familiar to Westerners by the name of turmeric. The Chinese versions have different names, including Tuber Curcumae, Rhizomu Curcumae Longea and Rhizomu Curcumae Ezhu. But you get my point. Turmeric helps alleviate the problems caused by blood stasis. Its also listed under diet as a potent spice to add to your foods for the dual benefit of its excellent taste and healing powers! A combination of tao ren and hong hua in an herbal tea remedy has been shown to reduce tumors according to one recent account. In addition, three Chinese studies have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in treating womens tumors with Xiao Liu Pian (Tumor Reducing Tablet). Again, if you do have tumors, its wise to have your physician and/or TCM practitioner prescribe tumor reducing herbs.
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I want to stress that herbal remedies taken alone will not solve your problems with fibroids. This is but one step in a comprehensive and inclusive treatment plan that will be unique to your circumstances. As such, I encourage you to feel confidence and comfort in the fact that your treatment plan will work for you. After all, envisioning your healthy state of well-being is all part of the process! Exercises & Massage Also known as bodywork, exercises and healing massage are among the most soothing parts of TCM. At least, I find that to be true. There are many different kinds of bodywork, including the following: Massage Therapy I find this category probably the most recognizable to both western and TCM adherents. Everyone loves a good massage, me included! The fact that it stimulates your body functions and alleviates stress and tension is not just an added benefit -- it is the primary function of TCM massage therapy. Among the many techniques are deep tissue, scalp, tendon/muscular massage, and many others. In fact, practitioners often specialize in multiple techniques in order to be able to assist their clients with specific blockage problems. Ive found massage therapists at high-end resort properties that have a whole list of services they provide that include many TCM massage techniques. Craniosacral Therapy This area focuses on the cranio (brain) and sacral (spine) areas of the body and involves applying very gentle pressure to specific areas. This adjusts the bodys biorhythm and improves its function. Shiatsu This technique falls under the category of acupressure in that it stimulates the acupuncture points of the body using your hands and thumbs. But shiatsu also has a very refined mapping that allows it to pinpoint areas of imbalance in the body, specifically the abdomen. It also uses stretches and other generalized massage techniques to work in conjunction with the stimulation.
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Rolfing These practitioners work to realign your posture and body structure through a series of treatments. Rolfing focuses on the connective tissue (the bodys fascia). Tuina Closely aligned to the Western version of massage, tuina actually works along with acupuncture to facilitate removal of blockages caused by tension and misalignment. Reflexology This practice holds that the entire body is represented in your hands and feet and that any bodily condition can be treated by manipulating the corresponding point in those extremities. It may be used alone or with other bodywork or acupuncture. How to do Self-Massage in the Chinese Fashion If youd like to give yourself the gift of massage, here are some self-massage exercises that you can do too in the Chinese fashion. Abdominal massage Lie flat You might want to place a small pillow behind your knees first. This will take the strain off your back. With eyes half-closed (like a cat) Inhale slowly and deeply. Place right palm on stomach just above your navel. Point your right thumb up toward your chin, and place your left hand atop your right. (If you are a lefty, place your left hand on your stomach first, then the right on top of it.) Breathe in and out deeply Try to feel the warmth radiating through both of your hands. Rub stomach in clockwise motion Gently, with both hands in place. Repeat 2040 times.
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Now place hands on lower ribcage edge on either side of your abdomen. Now move your hands in a smooth, massaging motion down into your pelvic area. Do this 5 times. Return both hands to center of abdomen just below the navel -- and repeat the previous exercise 5 times. Sit up, facing forward Inhale and turn your head and neck (not your whole body) to look back over your left shoulder. Then exhale. Now inhale as you turn your head and neck to look back over your right shoulder. Then exhale. Put right hand on left side of your waist Inhale. Now slowly exhale while you move your hand toward the middle of your navel. Then switch hands and repeat the exercise. Rub both palms slowly down over both hip bones and to the tops of your thighs. Return to position one both hands flat on top of your stomach. Now gently massage clockwise to the count of three while you inhale. Exhale on the count of six. Now that Ive given you a basic understanding of the theory and practices of TCM with respect to fibroids, I hope youve learned some helpful techniques that you can get started on right away. It really is up to you! You are the architect of your own body. So, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take aggressive steps today, using TCM as one of your avenues of healing, to return your body to a healthy state of well-being.
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Chapter 7
EXERCISES
I mentioned exercise in the previous section on TCM and acupressure. But I believe that exercise is such an important healing mechanism that it deserves its own section here. Apart from TCM practices, exercise has numerous benefits for anyone who wants to feel and look better. Add to that its ability to heal your body from the inside out and youve got one fantastic natural healing prescription one that doesnt involve drugs or any invasive procedures! How Can Exercise Heal? Just think about this for a minute. Exercise stimulates blood flow and circulation, gets your heart pumping, increases oxygen to starved tissues and organs. All of this is good for your body. Beyond this, exercise helps promote hormonal balance essential to healing fibroids! Id like you to imagine a submerged log. Its heavy, sluggish, and prone to decay. Thats what your body is like when it becomes inactive and full of toxins from the environment, food, stress and other elements. Your body becomes heavy, sluggish and prone to disease and pathologic changes. Exercise can change all that! Yes, believe it or not, engaging in vigorous exercise on a regular basis (daily is ideal) will completely transform your body. Im not talking about becoming a perfectly proportioned, knockout movie star, but, hey anythings possible! The point is that, with a concerted effort and discipline to stick to it, you can change your body. That means you can change flabby, fat abFibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo 74
dominal muscles to lean, hard and taut. You can alleviate that shortness of breath that prevents you from taking more than a half-block at a snails pace to improved breathing and renewed energy that leaves you feeling exhilarated and ready to go on after a half-mile walk (and even more)! I guarantee you will find it easier to stretch in your yoga, tai chi, qi gong classes. Youll feel more balanced and less irritable. Your attitude will change to more positive. How can it not when others will comment on how great you look, and ask what youve been doing differently? After a vigorous round of exercise strength training, Pilates, a good hike, even the stationary bike I find that I feel just plain wonderful. Why is that, you might ask? Its the bodys natural endorphins those feel-good, natural painkillerhormones that kick in. My aches and pains seem to disappear (or at least become minimized) and Im thankful once again that I made the time in my daily schedule to do something thats just right for me exercise! After a few weeks of your exercise lifestyle (and I do mean lifestyle, since exercise needs to become part of your life), your body will feel different, look different and, most of all, be different. Do you want to become that healthy new you? Of course, you do! What Kinds of Exercises Should You Do? I, along with many advocates of natural healing processes and medical doctors, recommend three types of exercises to assist with your fibroid healing program. These are exercises designed to stimulate circulation, those to strengthen your muscles and overall body tone, and exercises designed to promote hormonal balance, get energy flowing throughout your body and cleanse toxins. These latter are generally Eastern medicine (TCM), rather than Western exercises. But there has been such a widespread acceptance of yoga, tai chi, qi gong and other Eastern exercises that theyre becoming fairly mainstream in America.
Exercises to Stimulate Circulation I dont want you to get bored with the whole subject of exercise! There are really lots of different types of exercise to stimulate circulation these are called aerobic exercises (aerobic means oxygen) and they require that the lungs and heart work harder to meet your bodys need for increased oxygen. This increased oxygen contributes to your overall circulation and improves your bodys well being. Aerobic exercises include: bike riding (outdoors, uphill, stationary, etc.), swimming, walking, hiking, running. Key here is that your body is overcoming resistance (wind, terrain, and water, gravity) to move forward. As you exercise, your body is consuming calories and using carbohydrates and sugars for fuel. You should exercise to the point of rapid pulse. The point is to get your heart pumping! But dont overdo it. If you feel faint, stop and lean over. Breathe deeply and rest or quit for the day. Build up your sessions gradually. I find that when I havent been able to hike for a week or two and then resume my ideal early morning walk along the trails by my home, I have to ease back into it. The first day, Ill just go around the neighborhood a mix of uphill, downhill and flat terrain, all on sidewalks. I console myself that Im breathing right, Im out in the fresh air, getting natural vitamin D from the sun, and Im getting back into the swing of things. The next day, I take one of the easier trails and I walk there. No copping out by driving the car to the trailhead. That extra few blocks means Im gradually adding to my hiking ability and within a couple of days, Im back to doing my full 45 minute to one hour daily hike. Id recommend that you use a variety of aerobic exercise to keep yourself interested, excited and eager to continue. In the summer months, try walking in the early morning. Why not reward yourself with a swim in the afternoon (and get in another stint of aerobic exercise) if theres a lake or pool nearby? Take a bicycle ride with your friends or children in a local park or at a rest stop during a picnic. Invest in a stationary bike so you can do aerobic exercise at home anytime.
Additional benefits of aerobic exercise include stabilization of hormonal imbalance and cleansing your bodys systems both key to healing fibroids. Exercises to Strengthen Muscles and Overall Body Tone These exercises are known as anaerobic exercises (meaning they do not use oxygen). Weight training is an anaerobic exercise. By utilizing the bodys own fat, anaerobic exercise helps women who may have additional weight during menopause or after pregnancy, to eliminate the undesired weight and strengthen their muscles and overall body tone. I dont recommend that you try to be Ms. Universe here! Its not advisable to pile on as much weight as possible. Did you know that its not the amount of the pounds you use but the repetition that burns your body fat? If you do weight training at your local gym (memberships are reasonable and they have all the latest equipment), the gyms trainers can work out a weight training program and schedule for you that will allow you to gradually increase your weights to a manageable (and desirable) level. Id start with a small set of hand weights in the 2-3 pound range. You can buy these at almost any sporting goods store. Do various hand lifts and stretches with these weights, alternating each side for a count of 10 and do three sets each. You can add knee squats holding the weights and turning from side to side holding the weights as well. The best part of exercises that strengthen the muscles is that youre strengthening your abdominal muscles that support your uterus. This is critically important in healing fibroids. So, go to it, girl! Eastern Exercises for Energy Flow, Hormonal Balance
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Yoga, tai chi, qi gong whatever type you choose, embrace it! Within each type Ive found many variations that are bound to keep your interest and surely theres just the right one for you! Yoga Part of the Hindu religion, the practice of yoga is well established in the United States today. Many thousands of women (and men) practice yoga daily as a means to relax, manage stress, improve body health and well being, and improve flexibility. While there are many different versions of yoga, most people in the United States practice Hatha yoga. In Hatha yoga, you focus on specific poses and prescribed controlled breathing techniques. And, within Hatha yoga itself, there are several different types. The type you choose depends on personal preference, but they all include from 10-30 poses and breathing. Yoga assists in other ways as well. Ive found that it not only greatly reduces my stress levels, but that Im better able to manage chronic back pain and it also strengthens my abdominal level (all those poses and controlled breathing!). Anything that strengthens your abdominal area is a terrific asset when youre healing your body of fibroids! There are videotapes, books, magazines and classes available to teach you yoga. Check your Yellow Pages, local directories, or look for available classes online in your community. Tai Chi Tai Chi is often called the meditation in motion exercise. Practiced in China for thousands of years, tai chi was originally developed as a self-defense technique. It is self-paced and self-practiced form of exercise in which you perform a series of graceful postures in a flowing motion. Tai chi helps alleviate stress, increase
strength, flexibility, well-being, muscle mass and stamina. It has also been shown to alleviate chronic pain, stiffness, anxiety and depression, to reduce bone loss and high blood pressure, to improve sleep quality, balance and coordination, and improve heart fitness (cardiovascular health). There are six types of Tai Chi (at last count!) to choose from including, zhai bao, yang, chen, hau, sun and wu. You dont need any special clothing. You can do it alone or with others, anytime or place and you can add more movements as you progress. Tai Chi instruction centers are easy to find. Just check out your Yellow Pages or city directory or Google it online with your zip code. Qi Gong Qi gong (also qigong) is another ancient Chinese technique that involves breathing, meditation, postures and exercises. While its origin is difficult to trace, it is thought to date back 5,000-7,000 years! Tai chi, yoga and other practices seem to have branched off from qi gong and its principles. Qi gong helps in disease prevention and adding years to your life, as well as increasing energy, well-being and overall health. There are literally thousands of different qi gong exercises and the type you do will likely be determined in concert with your qi gong master. These masters are renowned for their ability to assist in healing by prescribing the sets of exercises designed to transfer energy (qi or chee) from one person to another. This is a profound benefit of qi gong when pertaining to fibroids. There are basic components of qi gong, and all sessions (which are to be performed every morning and evening) require warm up and concluding exercises. Qi gong consists of postures (sitting, standing, or lying down, for example), movements (like bending, jumping, slow motion, quick thrusts, or stretches), breathing techniques (relaxed, holding, deep abdominal, and chest), and mental exercises (meditation, mind healing and visualization).
Where do you find a qi gong master? Ive researched the subject of qi gong and found many books and periodicals devoted to the art. Good resources to begin with include the following organizations: International Chi Kung / Qi Gong Directory. 2730 29th Street. Boulder, CO 80301. (303) 442-3131. Qigong Magazine. P.O. Box 31578. San Francisco, CA 94131. (800) 824-2433. Qigong Human Life Research Foundation. P.O. Box 5327. Cleveland, OH 44101. (216) 475-4712. Other Exercises I havent exhausted the list of exercises that promote healing of fibroids. Some of these you may find amusing, odd or just different. But theyre all wonderful additions to your exercise portfolio. Dancing Yup, dancing. Whether its ballroom, belly dancing, island music, club dancing you expend energy and feel great by dancing. Stretching I always watch my cat when he gets up from a nap. The first thing he does is stretch his body all over. I swear he smiles when he does it! I know it feels good because I can hear him purring even before I pick him up. Animals, especially felines, know its important to release the kinks you get from being stationary for a period of time. They stretch out their limbs and become limber before they start to move. So, before you do any exercise (walking, hiking, weight training, dancing, etc.), make sure you limber up your body with some basic stretches.
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Pilates Founded by Dr. Joseph Pilates in Germany, the practice of Pilates is now a fullforce exercise craze in the United States and worldwide. I, myself, practice Pilates (okay, Im a newbie, but Im quickly loving it!). I find it seems to combine some of the techniques of the Eastern practices of yoga and tai chi (maybe even qi gong) with Western-flavor movements. Basically, heres what Ive learned about Pilates and why I find it so beneficial in healing fibroids. Its based on the principle that our physical and mental health is intertwined. Now I find that just makes sense. Supporting Dr. Pilates philosophy, he designed his program around the techniques of breathing, flowing movements, concentration, precision and control. Pilates can be performed in two ways: mat exercises and machines. Its also fun. Anybody can do Pilates. You can find classes offered by your YMCA (or YWCA), fitness centers or with private Pilates instructors. Primarily about strength and flexibility, I recommend you pair your Pilates work with other forms of exercise such as swimming or hiking (a brisk walk will also do). Abdominal Crunches Ive mentioned abdominal strengthening as a means to combat fibroids. I also recommend that you add abdominal crunch exercises to your daily routine. What are abdominal crunches? Its quite easily the simplest exercise you can do to strengthen your abdominal region. It also promotes faster healing, improves circulation and helps with back pain. How to do it:
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Lie flat on the floor with your knees bent. Or, and this is one I prefer, lie back on a large (or medium-sized, depending on your weight) inflatable exercise ball with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Place your hands crossed on your chest. Or, hold your hands at the sides of your head or by your chest. If you put your hands behind your neck, dont lock them. And, definitely dont pull on your neck! Make sure you breathe all during the exercise. Dont hold your breath! If you do, youre limiting the work your abdominal muscles can do. Start by gently rolling your torso forward. Dont jerk! This will only result in injury and/or pain. You want to crunch your abdominal muscles while you do this. By crunching, I mean think of squeezing your muscles inward (as if someone were going to hit you and you want to harden your muscles). Dont tilt your neck and keep your lower back flat throughout the exercise motion. Hold at the top of the movement for a second. Its this holding that strengthens the abdominal cavity. Do not sit all the way up! Slowly return to the original position. Its important that you move slowly on the way back down. Its this movement that really burns into the abdominal fat and creates strength. (It also results in some soreness until you get used to the exercise, so dont overdo it at first.) Repeat the exercise. Try for at least 15-20 sets of crunches. Kegels Kegels, or Kegeling, is an exercise rather unique to women. After all, were the only ones with a vagina! Before you think this is too radical to consider, Id like to remind you that the pubococcygeus muscle or PC muscle (the area between the opening to the vagina and the rectal opening) must be strengthened in order to promote overall womens health in the gynecological area.
What youre basically doing with Kegel exercises is to strengthen the pelvic region so important to healing fibroids. The name Kegel comes from the doctor who first created the exercise, Dr. Arnold Kegel, as a means to correct involuntary urination or incontinence. The technique involves a rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the PC muscle. Regular Kegel exercise promotes increased blood flow and circulation in the pelvic region, stronger bladder and richer blood and nerve supply. You can Kegel anywhere, anytime. You can do the exercises in front of people or alone. No one will know youre doing it, so you dont have to be embarrassed. How do you Kegel? While there are several forms of Kegel exercises bear-downs, pumps and pulses -- I find it beneficial to incorporate all of them into my routine. Start by practicing starting and stopping your flow of urination so you get the idea of how the PC muscle works in your body. In the pump version, you want to squeeze your PC muscle while you hold it for a count of three seconds. After that you relax the PC muscle for another count of three seconds. Do this exercise in repetition and gradually work up to 30 sets of the complete exercise (squeeze, hold for 3 seconds, relax for 3 seconds). When you do pulse Kegels, you will squeeze and relax your PC muscle in a quick motion, like quick breaths or flutters. Youre not looking for speed but rather regular contractions at a rapid and even pace. This will come with practice, so I really wouldnt worry. You cant go wrong by practicing. Remember, this is beneficial to your overall health and will help you heal fibroids! The last Kegel exercise is the bear-down in which youll also be toning your lower abdominal muscles. In this exercise you add a contraction of your lower abdominal muscles as you perform your contraction and relaxation routine. Think of it as if
you were pushing out a bowel movement (or a baby, if youve delivered one). You get the point. Then hold and release for a count of three seconds and repeat, working up to 30 sets. Make it Fun! Id like to stress here that the most important part of your exercise routine is that you make it fun. When I enjoy what I do, I get more out of it. Im also more likely to stick to it than if I regard exercise as a chore, something to be avoided. Think of the healing properties of exercise as just one more powerful tool in your quest to heal yourself of fibroids. Youll be well on your way with a positive attitude!
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Chapter 8
DETOXIFICATION
Now, armed with your brand-new positive attitude, its time to tackle the issue (and necessity) of detoxification. A womans total load of estrogen is composed of three types: estradial, estriol and estrone. There is some evidence that, given certain circumstances, an excess or imbalance of estrone and estradial are carcinogenic, while there is also ample documentation that estriol is not only not cancerous, but anti-cancerogenic (fights against cancer) as well. The liver is your bodys most active metabolizing center, working hard to detox and get rid of estrogen by first converting it to estrone, and then to estriol which doesnt overly stimulate the uterus. If the liver is not able to metabolize the estradial, the uterus, which is now over stimulated with estrogen, may respond by producing fibroids. How do toxins damage our bodies (and lead to fibroid growth in women)? Once toxins enter your body, they make their way to your liver which is your bodys cleansing storehouse. Do you know that your liver is your bodys most important mechanism for cleansing toxins and purifying your blood? Furthermore, all your bodys blood goes through your liver every three minutes. With that staggering statistic in mind, its easy to see why I say that you really have to keep your liver strong.
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Without a healthy-functioning liver, all those accumulated toxins give off harmful waste products that seep out into your bloodstream and make their way to vital organs, thus damaging them. Your liver also creates estrogen, the so-called good estrogen, metabolites that have great importance in cardiovascular protection and healthy bone maintenance. The bad estrogens create the ripe opportunity for fibroids to form and continue to grow in size in and around your reproductive areas, including inside and outside the uterus and fallopian tubes. Where do these toxins come from? Actually, from a number of places. Read on. Our toxic environment Im afraid we live in an imperfect world. By that, I dont mean to imply theres no beauty in the world far from it. This world is an incredibly wondrous and beautiful place. But, mostly through human intervention, weve also allowed this beautiful world to become a vastly toxic environment. How so? There are literally thousands of environmental toxins that can (and do) interfere with our bodys normal hormonal functioning. These include xenoestrogens, dioxins, PCBs and a host of others. This can lead to the development of abnormal cell growth in other words, fibroids, among other conditions. Women, who have hormonal especially fibroid problems, and those in technical professions, often have very high levels of cadmium and mercury in their bodies. Heavy metal and pesticide pollutants may affect a womans thyroid gland, with the result being uterine disorders or stimulation of the uterus by mimicking estrogen. Air pollution Weve polluted our air with greenhouse gases caused by carbon monoxide from our insane dependence on automobile transportation, for one. And, I know, the automakers are doing great improvements (spurred on by government regulations
and public opinion) in reducing carbon emissions and other nasty pollutants from their new product offerings. Factories also cause air pollution. So does mining, your gardeners leaf blower, air conditioners, improperly maintained furnaces, almost all machinery, including light household appliances. Chemicals and household cleaners Chemicals are nasty and toxic to the environment. I know that seems like a nobrainer, but I caution you to think about all the chemicals you have right in your own home. All those cleaners and household chemicals, your hairspray, deodorant, air fresheners the list goes on and on! I did a test in my own home just to see how many different examples I could find. What an eye-opener! Some containers (like those for products like scrubbing agents containing bleach) list warnings that include language like this: Physical and Chemical hazards contains bleach. Avoid contact with clothes, fabric or carpet. Do not mix with other household chemicals as hazardous gases may result. Causes eye irritation. May cause skin irritation. They can also damage your liver and kidneys. Other spray cleaners include words to the effect that Hazards to humans and domestic animals. Caution: causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling The culprits here are hydrochloric acid, linear alkylate sulfonate or sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, formaldehyde all of which cause damage to liver and kidneys and/or tissue damage. After examining all my cleaning agents, sprays, pastes and other household items Ive determined that soap and water is probably best to clean everything! No, Im not kidding. But, at least, examine all the labels before you buy any cleaning agent to ensure that it contains safe, biodegradable materials, no phosphorus and no bleach, if possible. Use only in well-ventilated areas (open the windows), wear
gloves, and dont breathe in the fumes. You can even purchase inexpensive masks to wear to protect yourself from accidentally breathing in this toxic mixture. Plastics Plastics are another source of great toxicity. The worst forms of toxins are the estrogenic toxins in petrochemical products (plastics) that we store so many things in today. Bisphenol A is the environmental estrogen that is released from plastic thats heated. Think for a minute how much weve come to depend on plastic. Food containers, food wrap, toys (dont get me started on toys), cleaning supply containers, garbage and trash bags, components of machines (levers, handles, etc.), picture frames, dishes, cups and utensils and flatware, tablecloths, place mats even potholders and trivets and Im just getting started! Never microwave your food in a plastic container or covered with plastic wrap. While Im at it, dont microwave anything, ever! It releases harmful radiation into the home thats toxic to our bodies especially women with fibroids! Those water bottles that come in plastic? Dump the water into glass containers and store in the refrigerator. Never, ever allow plastic water bottles to sit in the sun (like in your car). This allows gases to form from the effects of the sunlight and heat on the plastic releasing, you guessed it, more xenoestrogens (Bisphenol A) that you breathe in when you drink the water. Also, dont save leftover water in plastic bottles. If you havent consumed it in one sitting, throw it away. Youre not doing yourself any favors by using up those last few drops. On the contrary, youre allowing toxins a chance to get in your body and mess with your cell structure and your bodys DNA and thats particularly bad for women with fibroids. Food I hear you saying right now, Food? How can food be toxic? We have to eat food! Correct, we have to eat food. And some of that food can kill us or contribute to the toxins in our bodies that cause fibroids, among other things.
Pesticides, herbicides used on foods contain harmful estrogens (xenoestrogens). I mentioned this in chapter four on diet. A high-fat, low-fiber diet affects estrogen production in a negative way. This kind of diet jumpstarts the production of too much cholesterol (excessive cholesterol), which, in turn, causes your body to create more estrogen. Without enough fiber to bind these excessive estrogens to the molecules that would inactivate them, and by sidetracking or stopping healthy bacterial balance in your intestines, some estrogens begin to circulate back into your bloodstream. Animal protein is the worst how do you think those livestock growers raise such fat and hefty specimens? They inject them with chemicals and artificial hormones, and they feed them chemically-treated food. The animals graze on land thats been loaded with pesticides, herbicides or other nasty chemicals all of which are stored in the animal meat that is ultimately ingested by humans. This residue of toxins makes its way through our body and gets stored in our liver building up toxicity to dangerous levels. And, animal protein (especially meat products) leads to the development and growth of fibroids in women. The supplements found in dairy products also increase your bodys estrogen levels. The good news is that proper diet and nutrition can positively influence estrogen exposure and metabolism and help treat or prevent reproductive system disorders such as fibroids. In treating fibroids, it is critically important to eat only certified organic foods. Your liver function (and its ability to detoxify your body and metabolize fat) will be greatly assisted by consuming the bitter green leafy vegetables endive, chicory, dandelion, rapini, escarole and mustard -- as well as fresh raw fruits, especially lemons. What can we do to detoxify our bodies and prevent fibroids?
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I recommend a cleansing of your liver and gallbladder, kidneys and colon at least once a year. You can, and should, cleanse more often if your doctor recommends it, or if you are ill. This is according to the best detoxifying experts Ive read, and it makes a lot of sense to me. We lead lives in our otherwise imperfect world. We do the best we can. Sometimes, that isnt enough. So, we need to detoxify. Detox Methods Before I talk about the detox methods, I want to specifically address the bodily organs we need to detoxify. These are your liver and gallbladder, your kidneys and colon. To detoxify them, we need to both flush and cleanse. Think about a toaster that accumulates crumbs in the bottom. How many times do you clean out your toaster tray? Maybe youre an incredibly meticulous homemaker and you do this on a regular basis. More power to you! However, if youre like most of us, we dont think about it until we move the toaster to another spot on the counter and a ton of burned, cinder-like crumbs fall out all over the floor. Toxins in your bodys organs are like those burned crumbs. But, theyre a lot worse. They accumulate in your organs and putrefy to the point where they cause seepage back into your bloodstream of life-threatening chemicals and poisons. Another analogy is the L-trap in your kitchen (or bathroom) sink drain. If youve ever cleaned one of these out by yourself, you know the gunk and muck that solidifies into a mass. And, does it ever smell! This analogy is probably better than the burned toast crumbs in that it consists of a variety of food and other elements all of which end up confined in one area, rotting together, causing damage. In the human body, these accumulate in the liver and colon. They must be removed for healthy overall functioning and to prevent or help eliminate fibroids.
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Liver and Gallbladder Detoxification Take your liver, for example. Without a healthy-functioning liver, youd be dead in less than a day. A healthy liver gets rid of toxins that enter your body, including poisons and other harmful substances. It performs the magic of turning them into harmless substances that are then excreted (eliminated) through your bile, which is created by you guessed it your liver. Your liver also stores Vitamin B12, one of your bodys vital nutrients that it needs to not only maintain overall health, but also to combat fibroids. Other vitamins your liver stores include Vitamins A, E, K and D. And, it makes beneficial amino acids, clotting factors and additional vitamins itself. A healthy liver requires a detoxifying program that allows it to flush away toxic waste. You also want one that cleans out garbage (literally, in the form of sludge, perhaps even gallstones) from your gallbladder. And one that provides protection for your liver and gallbladder from future damage. Before you begin to cleanse your liver, and depending on what detoxification program or regimen you will be following, youll want to first flush your liver. Flush Drinks for Liver and Gallbladder In about two minutes time, you can create a healthy and good-tasting drink that will flush (purge) your liver and gallbladder in preparation for your five-day detox or cleanse. Using fresh and organic oranges, limes, lemons, ginger and garlic, plus a bit of organic and cold-pressed olive oil and filtered water, youll blend it all together and drink down the flush concoction. Its the oil in the drink that will prompt (stimulate) your gallbladder to empty itself. This process also eliminates any stored toxins, cholesterol and fat. Youll want to follow the flush drink with a special detox tea.
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There are many herbal detox teas for the liver commercially available. Make sure you purchase those that are certified organic herbs. Some or all of these herbs should be included: dandelion root, cardamom seed, black peppercorn, burdock root, juniper berry, clove berry, fennel seed, sassafras and ginger root, licorice root, orange peel, parsley leaf and others. You will soak 2 tablespoons of the dried herbs in 32 ounces of pure water for 4-8 hours. Then boil the mixture, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and allow tea to cool before drinking. This tea makes a great substitute for coffee and you can drink it throughout the day! 5-day Detox Programs There are several detox programs available today that take just five days to perform at home. Some include eating raw foods for two days followed by three days of juice fasting. Now, that doesnt sound too difficult, does it? We can handle something like that. I like the fact that its all-natural, all-organic. As Ive said before, organic food is our best choice for consuming nutrient-rich and healthy meals. Included with many 5-day detox programs are herbal broths, detox tea (see above), and other herbal formulas that are specially created to do the job of cleansing and flushing your liver and gallbladder. Liver Cleanse Youll need about 12 hours of fast before you start your liver cleanse. This is easy to do. Just dont consume any food the night before your cleanse. In the morning, drink an 8 ounce glass of pure water. This cleans out your digestive tract. Ingredients: 1-5 Tbs organic oil (cold-pressed, may be olive oil or flax seed oil). Use only 1 Tbs the first day and build up to 5 Tbs on the 5th day.
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8 oz of organic grapefruit or lemon and orange juice (freshly squeezed) 8 oz of filtered, mineral or distilled water 1 small piece (about 1 inch) of fresh, organic ginger root (Note: Ginger makes the drink taste good and also prevents vomiting.) Add 1-5 garlic cloves for even greater potency. Use 1 on day 1, working up to 5 cloves on day 5. (Note: Garlic has several medicinal properties that help you expel toxins.) Place all ingredients in your blender and process for a few seconds. Then pour into a large glass and drink. About 20 minutes after you take the liver cleanse, you must follow it up with a detox tea. Again, see the detox tea listed above for herbs that should be included. Many brands are available commercially, but be sure they are certified organic herbs. I recommend that you supplement with Vitamin A and the antioxidant beta carotene. Eat green vegetables, bitter dandelion and parsley. You may eat as you normally do throughout the day. Just be sure to fast for 12 hours that evening before you begin your cleanse the next morning. Colon Detoxification Remember that everything you put into your mouth (food and drink) has to go somewhere. It travels through your body in a long (and circuitous) route that starts with your mouth and ends with your rectum and anus. Along the way, it passes through your small and large intestines. The large intestine (or your colon or bowel) is where fecal matter collects. When it becomes compacted, filled with pus, blood or parasites, this is not a good thing. But it is able to be remedied.
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There are obviously colon detoxification formulas that you will take in any colon cleanse. They all include some form of fiber. Your body needs fiber in order to process out waste and fecal matter. In a colon detox program, youll be consuming certain amounts of additional powder (or liquid, depending on the program), and eating more fiber-rich foods. Youll also eat more foods that are natural laxatives, including prunes, apples, dates, figs, bananas and almost any fruit. And, you have to drink plenty of fluids filtered water included. You cant move out waste without enough liquid. In fact, during a colon cleanse, youll probably be drinking more fluids than you ever thought you could hold. But, trust me, you wont be holding it. The truth is, youll be eliminating literally years of accumulated waste from your body and helping to heal your body of fibroids in the process. Its also important that you exercise your body during the colon cleanse regimen. This helps to move things along literally. Colon Cleanse Id like to stress that colon cleanses are meant to be only a temporary measure. They are not to be continued indefinitely as they can harm your body. The purpose of the colon cleanse is to stimulate your colon into working normally, providing you with a minimum of three bowel movements daily. I recommend that you perform a colon cleanse 2-3 times a year at the most. I also recommend that you utilize a commercially-available, safe and effective colon cleanse product rather than trying to mix up one yourself (and possibly using too much, too little, or the wrong type of herbs). Most colon cleansers containing oat bran, prune juice and/or ground flax seeds are generally considered safe and effective. These are found naturally in foods and work to bulk up your stools (as a result of absorption of water in the intestines) for elimination. Another generally safe ingredient in a colon cleanse is a naturally occurring magnesium and organic Germanium-132 (these are found in a colon
cleanse called Oxy-Powder which also is oxygen-based), available commercially. Its important that you avoid harsh herbs which can prove caustic to your colon, permanently damaging the nerves and muscles of the intestines. And prolonged use may mean that you wont be able to have a bowel movement without the use of an enema. So, I recommend you read the colon cleanse ingredients very carefully. Avoid senna and any synthetic ingredients with unrecognizable names. Ingredients to look for include flaxseed, slippery elm, bentonite clay, cascara sagrada and aloe vera juice. Juice Fasting Detox Another popular detox method is the juice fast, typically lasting for 1-3 days. Longer periods of juice fasting are not advised due to the potential for dehydration. Also, juice fasts should not be undertaken without medical supervision, if you have certain medical problems like anemia, ulcerative colitis, terminal illness or are pregnant or nursing. Since the process of fasting creates changes in your blood proteins, this can affect the way prescription drugs interact with your body. So, if youre taking prescription drugs, dont do a juice fast. Also, dont do a juice fast right before or after surgery. Now to the specifics of the juice fast. Before you begin the juice fast (one week to 10 days prior), gradually eliminate coffee, cigarettes, fish, eggs, dairy, meat, sugar and wheat. Your diet should consist mainly of organic fruits and vegetables, along with beans. Only use organic fruits and vegetables for the juice fast. If you dont have organic, wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly and peel the skins. If using organic, wash and use the entire fruit or vegetable. (Except, dont use pits of fruits like apFibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo 95
ricot, cherry, peach. Or apple seeds, citrus peels, carrot or rhubarb tops or skins like those from pineapple, banana, mango, kiwi or avocado.) Between 32 and 64 ounces of juice should be consumed per day, each day of the juice fast. Best fruits and vegetables to use include: cabbage, kale, celery, apple (especially green apple), spinach, beets, greens, pineapple and cranberry. Its often advisable to avoid citrus fruits during the juice fast. Green, leafy vegetables and sprouts are excellent to juice. They contain beneficial chlorophyll. Its best to vary the combinations of fruits and vegetables during the juice fast. This keeps it interesting and changes the taste. Some variations of the juice fast involve the addition of one meal per day. Once you return to normal eating, reintroduce solid foods gradually to avoid stomach or intestinal distress. Side effects of the juice fast may include headache, cramping, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, low blood pressure, weight loss. If these symptoms increase or worsen, discontinue the juice fast. After your Colon Cleansing Once youve cleansed your colon, youll be free of accumulated waste and toxins. Your body will be better able to absorb nutrients and vitamins from food. Youll feel lighter because youll be pounds lighter from eliminated solid waste! Youll also feel terrific!
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Kidney and Bladder Detoxification Whats the big deal about kidneys and bladder? Your kidneys do the job of regulating your bloods acid-alkaline balance as well as filtering the blood. The reabsorption of nutrients occurs through your capillaries. The excess fluid goes out through your bladder in the form of urine. Did you know that the average person eliminates about 1-2 quarts of urine every day? And healthy urine is odorless and has a slightly tinted color. It should not be dark, or strong-smelling, both of which are indications of unhealthy conditions in the body (or lifestyle, or both). To cleanse the kidney and bladder, youll need to first flush it and then follow up with a few days of cleanse. Kidney Cleanse Ingredients: 1 organic lime or lemon that is juiced 16 oz of pure water Cayenne pepper (a pinch) Prepare by mixing all ingredients in a blender for about 15 seconds. Drink it down. Drink a tea about 20 minutes later that contains one or more of these herbs: hydrangea, uva-ursi, marshmallow root, gravel root and parsley. You can mix the herbs with a quart of pure water and drink throughout the day. I recommend that you eat normally throughout the day after you take the kidney cleanse and tea, but avoid mixing fruit and vegetable juices for the week of the cleanse. Some Detox Program Specifics
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Heres what youll find you need to do with any detox program, specifically detox programs to reduce and/or eliminate your fibroids. Drink lots of filtered water At least 10 full glasses daily (and more if your detox program calls for more) Consuming an herbal detox tea to clear out your gastrointestinal tract Use fiber supplements and probiotics to aid in cleaning out and restoring bowel optimum functioning Plenty of exercise this stimulates your bodys detoxification of its lymphatic system and lungs. It also benefits your body with the addition of oxygen. You should exercise in the early morning. This brings your blood out of your liver and into your circulation system. Symptoms of excess blood in your liver include stiffness or numbness in your fingers, dizziness due to lack of blood circulating. A Word About Colonics Maybe youd rather not involve yourself with an at-home process. You may wish to try colonic therapy. Ive actually done this process myself with very good results. I consulted with a health care practitioner specializing in colonics, read all I could about it and made an appointment. In essence, its a process that involves a prep stage (starting to cleanse your body in preparation for the colonics therapy by eating certain diet for a prescribed period of time, adding fiber to your body), and a colonic therapy series of treatments. Colonics, colonic irrigation, colon hydrotherapy involves the gentle use of filtered water into the rectum to flush out the colon. This is a gradual process, but you will start to notice results immediately. And, Im not just talking about the fecal matter that comes out (literally) during the colonic hydrotherapy. Your bowel movements will start to become normal (3-4 movements daily, with solid, good-sized stools
that dont contain blood, pus or mucuous) with the improvement increasing over the course of the treatments. Of course, some people should not have colon hydrotherapy. Check with your physician to see if it is advisable for you. Personally, I swear by it, especially if youve never had one. I actually lost 20 pounds over the course of my treatment period. Most of that was impacted fecal matter. But the best part? I felt absolutely wonderful! All that toxic debris gone from my body! Okay, its been several years since I had one, and Im thinking as I write this that I need to make an appointment for another treatment. But first, Ill check with my doctor. Foods to avoid (that make fibroids worse) If Im serious about giving my body the opportunity to heal itself, there are certain foods I know I have to avoid. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but it certainly does cover the following: Caffeine especially caffeine in coffee White Flour white flour breads, pastas, muffins (anything with white flour is taboo!) White Sugar just eliminate white sugar from your diet entirely Chocolate sorry, chocolate is also a no-no Deep Fried Foods high in saturated fats, all deep-fried foods are just asking for trouble. Stay away from them! Whatever You Decide
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I cant stress this enough. We have to take care of our bodies. This includes being aware that we cannot avoid all the toxins, poisons, pesticides and harmful environmental stuff thats everywhere around us. Sometimes we have to detoxify our bodies. If we have fibroids, we absolutely have to detoxify to ensure our liver and gallbladder, kidney, bladder and colon are functioning properly. Whatever you decide, decide to do something today to cleanse your body!
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Chapter 9
HERBAL REMEDIES
Herbs are a very powerful weapon in your fibroid-fighting arsenal. They do their work by helping to balance your bodys hormones and to reduce heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. In addition, herbal remedies can alleviate the pain and cramping that accompanies your menstrual cycle. Some herbs and herbal concoctions (herbal cocktails) act as anti-inflammatory agents, while others help eliminate water and aid in relaxation. I firmly believe herbal remedies offer you an incomparable opportunity for natural healing of your fibroids and alleviating any of the pain and symptoms you may be experiencing. Whether you take your herbs in the form of herbal teas or broths, infusions, capsules, extracts or tinctures, its never been easier to find a safe and herbal solution to help with your fibroids. Some herbs are known as tonic herbs and aid in treating fibroid conditions. Others work directly on the fibroid itself to shrink it. Or the herbs may work on the uterus or ovaries. Still more assist with adrenal glands (that help promote hormonal balance), liver functioning, immune system and bowels. The question is what herbs and herbal remedies should you use? And in what dosage?
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Vitex Vitex is also known as Chaste Tree Berry or Chasteberry. This herb increases womens luteinizing hormone (LH) production. LH triggers ovulation during your midcycle and also promotes the production of progesterone. In addition, during the first half of your menstrual cycle, it reduces release of the follicle-stimulating hormone that promotes the production of estrogen. Its primary purpose is to bring into balance your bodys estrogen and progesterone as well as normalize your hormone secretions during perimenopause. Vitex (or Chasteberry) is also reported to shrink fibroids and to help prevent excess bleeding. Caution: Pregnant women should not take this herb. Most recommended dose: Take 225 mg daily of Chaste Tree Extract. Or 1 capsule of 400 mg Vitex fruit 2-3 times daily for 8-12 weeks; then take one 400 mg capsule daily thereafter. Black Cohosh Black cohosh is a tonic herb for the uterus. If you are in menopause, or perimenopause, you may be experiencing mild to very uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes, which are made worse by your fibroid condition. It works to suppress luteinizing hormone (LH) which triggers hot flashes. Some women report that it permits a good nights sleep by easing night sweats. It also works to lessen the pain and cramping of heavy bleeding during menstruation. Cohosh is a Native American word meaning rough and symbolizes the black, rugged root from which it is taken. Caution: Pregnant or nursing women should not take this herb. Also, side-effects of this herb may include nausea, dizziness, headaches and pain in the abdomen when taken in large doses.
Most recommended dose: Take 40 mg daily of a standardized extract. If you use Black Cohosh root, take 1 capsule of 450 mg three times daily with food or water. Evening Primrose Oil Evening primrose oil, a tonic herb, is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which a womans body needs for two reasons: hormonal balance and overall gynecological health. Evening primrose also increases the production of prostaglandins (PGE). And prostaglandins assist with reducing cramping, breast tenderness and inflammation, along with their role in regulating blood pressure, cholesterol and tone of your bodys blood vessels. This herb is considered safe and effective for long-term use. Most recommended dose: Take one 1,300 mg softgel two times daily with food. Red Raspberry Another tonic herb, red raspberry works to strengthen and tone a womans uterus. This is particularly important for women with fibroids who are experiencing heavy or abnormal bleeding. The astringent plant-tannin properties of the red raspberry also help with reducing heavy menstrual flow and cramping. It also helps treat diarrhea. This herb is considered safe and effective for long-term use. Most recommended dose: Take two 750 mg capsules of red raspberry leaf 1-3 times daily with water. Siberian Ginseng This herb is a great reliever of stress and tension and also strengthens a womans overall gynecological health and hormonal balance. Because it also works to boost the functioning of the adrenal gland, Siberian ginseng is also considered a healing herb for fibroids.
This tonic herb is considered safe and effective for long-term use. Pregnant or nursing women can even take this herb. Caution: When taken in large amounts, this herb may cause diarrhea or sleeplessness. Most recommended dose: Take 2-3 capsules of Siberian ginseng from root, two to three times daily. You may also drink ginseng tea or use liquid extract in beverages. Take for about 8 weeks and then cease taking it for 2 weeks before resuming the cycle. Licorice Root A great anti-inflammatory herb, licorice root tones and energizes the body and normalizes estrogen balance. This means it reduces estrogen production when levels are too high and increases it when estrogen levels are too low. It is ideal for both the prevention and treatment of fibroids. Licorice root also aids the liver and digestive system and helps cleanse the colon. Caution: Licorice root can raise blood pressure and increase retention of water. Do not take if you have hypertension or any history of kidney failure. Most recommended dose: Available in health food stores in whole form, licorice root is also taken in capsule, tea and tinctures. In capsule form, take 3 capsules of l.35 grams, 2-3 times daily. Red Clover Red clover is especially effective in controlling estrogen levels. That is because of its natural plant hormones (phytoestrogens) that work to combat harmful estrogens in the body. It is also considered effective in stopping the growth of fibroids. It is also an internal cleansing herb that benefits the liver.
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Caution: High doses may interfere with fertility. Most recommended dose: In extract form, take one 125 mg capsule 1-2 times daily with water. In red clover blossom form, take two 860 mg capsules 1-3 times daily with water. Echinacea Echinacea comes from the Purple Coneflower, a delightful plant that beautifies gardens (although it can become invasive I know, since I used to grow them!). For womens health, Echinacea herb is extremely effective as a toner for the immune system and for stimulating the lymphatic system. Once fibroids are shrinking, the use of Echinacea helps rid the body of the fibroids toxic substances. Echinacea may even help shrink fibroids (according to some studies Ive seen). Caution: Do not take if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult with your physician before taking if you have an autoimmune condition. Most recommended dose: Take one 300 mg capsule 3 times daily with food. Take only for 8 consecutive weeks. Use periodically (for 8 week segments at a time) after that for maintenance. Goldenseal Root Goldenseal, which contains berberine, is helpful to relax the muscles of the uterus. Used by Native Americans for many years, goldenseal root provides potent immune support. Caution: Do not take if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult with your physician if you have an autoimmune condition. Most recommended dose: Take one 500 mg capsule of goldenseal root powder 2 times daily with water.
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Milk Thistle Milk thistle is considered an accepted herbal product to improve the livers functioning. It also is a healing herb for fibroids. Milk thistle major active component is silymarin, which works as an antioxidant and exerts a protective effect against substances that are potentially harmful to the liver. Most recommended dose: Take one capsule (175 mg milk thistle dried extract, 180 mg of blessed thistle, standardized to 80% silymarin) 3 times daily with food or water. Dandelion Dandelion has also moved beyond folklore into established herbal pharmacopeia and used to help strengthen and improve liver function. It also detoxifies the liver. Caution: Do not take this herb if you have obstructions in the bowel or bile ducts. Consult your physician if you have had gallbladder issues before taking this herb. Most recommended dose: Take two 1.03 gm capsules 3 times daily with water. The herb may also be taken as a tincture or tea. Yellow Dock Root A traditional bitter herb, yellow dock root is especially helpful as a natural support for healthy blood and liver functioning. English herbalists have also recommended it for years as a mild laxative. Caution: Consult your physician before taking this herb if you have any history of kidney stones. Most recommended dose: Take two 1 gm capsules 2 times daily with food.
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Artichoke Artichoke joins milk thistle and dandelion as an effective herbal product to improve the function of the liver. Caution: Do not take this herb if you have obstruction of the bowel or bile ducts. Consult with your physician before taking. Most recommended dose: Take one 250 mg capsule 1-3 times daily with water (or as prescribed by your physician). Ashoka Ashoka is one of Indias sacred trees. Its bark and flowers contain haemotoxylin, a fair amount of tannin and catachin. Since the bark is strongly astringent as well as sedative, it acts directly on the uterus muscular fibers. It is used to treat ovarian and uterine fibroids, as well as heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. Ashoka can be taken as a decoction, capsule or powder. Most recommended dose: For heavy bleeding due to fibroids -- Decoction. Prepare by boiling 4 oz of bark in 16 oz of water and 4 oz of milk until the water evaporates. Take with milk in 2-3 divided doses throughout the day from the 4th day of your period until bleeding ceases. General Tips on Herbal Teas, Capsules, Tinctures and More Herbal Teas -- Many herbs are most effective when steeped in boiling water. Although herbal teas are the least concentrated of all the herbs, they are most easily absorbed into the body. Heat releases the herbs potency and volatile oils and thus provides a flushing action that helps rid the body of toxic wastes. Boil roots and bark for about 20 minutes. Never boil leaves or flowers. Instead, steep them in water that has been brought to a boil and then removed from the heat.
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Capsules Capsules are usually 4 times stronger than teas. Take capsules with warm water (not ice cold or water with ice) for faster absorption. Take with water or food. Herbal Extracts (Tinctures) These are 4-8 times stronger than capsules. You usually place drops under the tongue and hold there for as long as you can. Abstain To give the herbs a cleaner environment in which to work in your body, its best to stay away from alcohol, caffeine, red meat and cigarettes. Citrus and Ginseng Do not drink citrus juice when taking any form of ginseng. Medicines and Herbs Interactions Make sure your doctor has a complete list of all the herbs and medications you take. Some herbs are not advisable to be taken because they interfere with prescription drugs. Also, do not mix herbs and drugs. This means dont take them at the same time. Dont Keep Old Herbs Destroy all herbs that are older than 6 months. You want to have the freshest, most potent herbs. Follow Directions Dont play with doses. Always follow the directions on the package or bottle (or your physicians advice) when taking herbs. Like prescription drugs, many herbs may have side-effects that you dont want. If you do experience a negative effect, stop taking the herb immediately. If you are Pregnant or Nursing Dont take any herbs unless your physician okays it first. Naturopathic Doctors If your physician discourages you taking herbs, you can seek out a naturopathic doctor or a doctor who uses natural medicines.
Now that Ive covered this important area of herbal remedies, I hope youll use it as a springboard to really get motivated to heal your fibroids!
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Chapter 10
CONCLUSION
I know Ive touched on some complex issues in this guide. Id like to recap some of the highlights here. Fibroids are quite common, affecting nearly three out of every 4 American women. But, just because they are common does not mean they dont cause us problems. As I can attest, being a former fibroid sufferer, quality of life often deteriorates to such a point that we feel well do anything to be rid of them! Although benign (not cancerous), uterine fibroids, which are medically known as uterine leiomyomata, come in three types: intramural, subserosol and submucosal, depending on where they attach in or around the uterus. They cause a variety of symptoms. Some are merely a nuisance, while others are highly disruptive to our daily lives. These include pressure and pain in the pelvic region, painful intercourse, excessive bleeding, anemia, frequent need to urinate and/or constipation or trouble with hemorrhoids, fertility issues, miscarriages, bloating, swelling and pain in the back or legs. Your medical options include everything from the watch and wait approach, to non-surgical medically-prescribed drug therapy, to various non-invasive to invasive surgical procedures. These include full hysterectomy, myomectomy (abdominal, hysteroscopic or laparoscopic), hysteroscopic resection, uterine artery embolization (UAE), MRI-guided ultrasound ablation (FUS), and endometrial ablation. I also covered how you can manage your fibroid symptoms while you work through your healing journey, along with some general tips and recommendations.
For bleeding issues, theres exercise, heat, taking antioxidants Vitamins C, E and A, along with folic acid, Vitamin B12 and iron to combat anemia. Motrin or Ibuprofen can help stop excessive bleeding and help alleviate pain. For back pain, pain or pressure during intercourse, specific pelvic stretching exercises, heat and cold packs and physical therapy are great. For constipation, the addition of fiber and organic fruits and vegetables works wonders. Massage and aromatherapy, acupressure, meditation, imagery and managing stress are always good antidotes to fibroid symptoms that seem to get out of hand. Dietary changes are essential to healing fibroids, so I strongly recommend that you re-read everything Ive written on this topic. Then, get to work creating delicious, nutritious and healing meals using only organic foods! Its vitally important that you buy and consume only organic foods because you want to give yourself the healthiest choices possible and avoid xenoestrogens (or foreign estrogens) that come from chemicals, pesticides and environmental sources around us. Youll also want to drink lots of water daily to hydrate your body and to flush out toxins. Fresh fruits contain essential antioxidants which your body needs to combat fibroids. Eat green leafy vegetables (the darker in color, the better), root vegetables. Make sure you eat Omega-3 rich fish like salmon and mackerel and use Omega-6 rich safflower, sunflower oil. Get sufficient protein from organic meats. Eat whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Avoid alcohol, decrease salt, sugar and go easy on dairy products. It is not only possible, but absolutely easy to create wonderful, delicious meals using appropriate dietary choices. Ive even given you a few tasty recipes to try! Along with diet, I want to stress that you do need to take certain supplements to add the vital nutrients that you may not get enough of with food alone. These include the Big Three key antioxidants of Vitamin A, C and E, along with folic acid,
B Complex Vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium citrate, selenium, chromium picolinate, zinc, quercetin and bromelain and essential fatty acids (EFAs). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers centuries of wisdom and healing techniques to rid your body of fibroids. TCM treatment includes the use of Chinese herbs, dietary changes, acupressure, exercise and massage. Bodywork includes massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, rolfing, tuina and reflexology. Selfmassage can also be performed. Exercise is a critical component in your healing process. The practices of yoga, tai chi, qi gong and other exercises are not only beneficial, they make your overall body toned and gets your energy flowing. The three types of exercise you should do are those for circulation (aerobic exercise like hiking, bike riding, walking, etc.), strengthening muscles and overall body tone (anaerobic exercises like weight lifting and strength training), and those for energy flow and hormonal balance (yoga, tai chi, qi gong). Other helpful exercises include Pilates, dancing, stretching, Kegels. I want to emphasize this again: exercise helps you heal yourself of fibroids! Its important that, along with eating right, taking daily vitamins and supplements, exercise and TCM, that we eliminate toxins from our body. Ive covered the importance of flushing and cleansing our vital bodily organs: liver, kidney and bladder, and colon. I also advise how to do these flushes and cleanses, with recipes you can prepare. Be sure to drink lots of filtered water, exercise and take fiber and probiotics to stimulate your colon during these cleanses. Finally, I covered the important area of herbal remedies. These are natural remedies you can use at home to help heal yourself of fibroids and fibroid symptoms like balancing your hormones and preventing excessive bleeding.
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Key herbs (along with recommended doses) are vitex (or chasteberry), black cohosh, evening primrose, red raspberry, Siberian ginseng, licorice root, red clover, Echinacea, goldenseal root, milk thistle, dandelion, yellow dock root, artichoke and ashoka. Herbs are available in capsule form (probably the easiest to take), tinctures, extracts and herbal teas. As a fervent practitioner of natural healing methods, I want to encourage you to explore all of these methods to embark on your own healing journey to rid your body of fibroids. Remember that most of all, we heal our bodies from the inside out. This includes spiritual, emotional and physical aspects. We assist in this healing process by only ingesting healthy, organic foods, having a positive attitude, exercising regularly, detoxing, taking appropriate supplements, vitamins and healing herbal remedies, and using TCM. I wish you a blessed and successful healing journey!
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Fibroids

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Fibroids

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Fibroids Remedy

How To Get Rid Of Fibroids Naturally

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Your Medical Options

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General Recommendations for Managing your Fibroid Symptoms

Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupressure

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Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

The Wait and See Approach

The Drug Therapy Approach

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Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Lemon-Herb Baked Chicken

Flash-seared and broiled Herbed-Dill Salmon

Baked Cinnamon Apple

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Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo

Fibroid Cure www.FibroidCure.com by Shola Oslo