Fibroids are benign tumors in the uterus. They can cause various symptoms, including painful periods and pelvic pain during intercourse. If you have fibroids, chances are you’ve tried one or more over-the-counter medications to help with your symptoms, but it might be time for something else – like changing your diet. You can first contact experts in Houston, Texas, on how to go about it. There are lots of foods that could ease your fibroid pain. Specialists in uterine fibroids treatment in Houston, TX, can guide you on the right lifestyle changes to make. Here’s what you should try eating.

Minimize Processed and Inflammatory Foods

Processed foods and those with additives can worsen your pain. How? Processed foods contain refined carbohydrates, which cause blood sugar to spike, leading to insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes which often causes fibroids (and other serious health problems).

This means your body puts out more and more insulin in response to the food you eat, trying desperately to lower your blood sugar. However, this overabundance of insulin only makes the problem worse by causing inflammation in the body. Over time this inflammation shrinks down your ovaries and uterine lining, which can lead to extra estrogen buildup – precisely what you don’t need if you have fibroids.

Ramp Up the Vitamin-D

vitamin D deficiency is associated with fibroids. Why? The vitamin helps regulate the immune system, which affects estrogen levels in the body. Taking a vitamin D supplement can help ease your pain and shrink any existing tumors.

Be sure to eat enough Vitamin-D-rich foods as well. Salmon, sardines, eggs, mushrooms, and yogurt are all excellent sources of vitamins.

Try Curcumin

Turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin is a compound that can ease your pain by helping to prevent the growth of blood vessels inside tumors. The spice also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in your body caused by fibroids. Ginger is another anti-inflammatory that can ease your pain. Add some to your next stir-fry or mix it into a smoothie.

Go Big on Fiber

Fibers bind to excess estrogen in your body, helping your liver get rid of it during a process known as “phase 2 detoxification.” It can also bind with excess cholesterol and prevent its buildup on artery walls, reducing painful symptoms like cramping and heavy bleeding.

Add fiber slowly to avoid gas and bloating. Good sources of fiber include vegetables, berries, lentils, beans, and nuts.

Try a Low-Carb Diet

Fibroids are directly linked to insulin resistance, which directly results from eating too many carbohydrates. Going low-carb can help ease your pain by helping you avoid the spikes in blood sugar caused by refined carbohydrates and sugars, which cause inflammation in the body. Your fibroid tumors will shrink as a result of this reduced inflammation.

If you’re wondering what low-carb foods to eat, check out the Paleo Diet. The diet reduces your intake of gluten and refined carbohydrates, two things that worsen fibroid pain.

If you suffer from fibroids, many dietary changes can help. Fibroid tumors grow on estrogen and inflammation, so the first thing to do is reduce your intake of processed foods with refined carbohydrates, which cause blood sugar spikes (and insulin resistance). Try adding more fiber slowly for gas or bloating relief. Eating a low-carb diet will also lower inflammation and shrink existing tumor size by avoiding high carbohydrate diets.