The Best Diet for Fibroids

The same diet that helps regulate hormones in women may also reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting pollutants.
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OK, a plant-based diet may be best, but is there a plant in particular that has been shown to be particularly powerful? I’m glad you asked! That’s the topic of my follow-up video The Best Food for Fibroids (nutritionfacts.org/video/the-b...) coming up next.
More on contaminated herbal products in videos such as Get the Lead Out (nutritionfacts.org/video/get-...) and Some Ayurvedic Medicine Worse than Lead Paint Exposure (nutritionfacts.org/video/some....
I’ve got 71 videos the effects of diet on estrogens. Here’s a taste:
• Estrogen in Meat, Dairy, & Eggs (nutritionfacts.org/video/estr...)
• Why Do Vegan Women Have 5x Fewer Twins? (nutritionfacts.org/video/why-...)
• Fiber vs. Breast Cancer (nutritionfacts.org/video/fibe...)
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Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
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[@sonja4164]

I have a family history of fibroid tumor sufferers, many of whom have had full hysterectomies. I was diagnosed several yrs ago. I was having horrible periods, lots of clots, lots of pain & heavy bleeding between periods too. Asked 2 doctors if changing my diet would help, they both said no... Birth control, wait & see, then eventually surgery was what they prescribed. I did months of research, and then started changing my diet. The more plant based I went, the less pain & bleeding. The less meat & dairy, the better it got. Eventually it got to the point where my periods were shorter than ever, I barely noticed they were there, no pain meds, no bleeding between periods. It's been awesome. The doctors say "what ever you're doing, keep it up," but they don't care to know what that is.

[@m0L3ify]

Ugh, birth control is their answer to EVERYTHING! I can't even take birth control. That's why I never go to doctors with my female problems. They have no clue what to do.

[@shanellakers7303]

I have not been diagnosed with fibroids, definitely a family history. But I can relate to a positive change in menstrual cycles since eating plant based. And with birth control, its annoying to how they just mask everything with the pill.

[@adamaj74]

You should tell those doctors it was a vegan diet that they said wouldn't help.

[@sonja4164]

adamaj oh trust me lol, I told them that the only thing I did was change to a wfpb diet...they didn't seem interested at all. Their eyes actually glossed over.

[@yazraf]

Wow this doctors are really big cunts they interested in selling medicine to ppl so they can get richer and richer

[@Sarah-np6qj]

As a vegan I've still had terrible menstrual pain and heavy bleeding. But when I changed my diet to a low fat, low processed, high raw diet my pain is like incredibly better- by at least 90%. I've gone from having a day or two moaning in pain in bed to being just slightly uncomfortable and able to even do light exercise. Lots of fresh fruit and greens for the win!

[@sowinthecity]

Hi Sarah! Did you cut out grains to help with fibroids? I know some people chose to stay away from grains because of it.

[@kelby47]

I went to boarding school in Africa and when we ate meat, it was the size of a grape. Yup, very tiny piece. Same for fish and milk was 50% soy and 50% powdered cow's milk, egg was twice a month. We ate plenty of rice, beans, potatoes, okra soup, peanut soup with greens in it, pineapple etc and most girls started menstruating between the ages of 13 and 15 and were all very lean. But in USA, many start between 9-11. What a difference.

[@sonja4164]

kelby47 nana that's very telling

[@queengoblin]

Wowwwww

[@JasonJrake]

When I studied (informally) Chinese and herbal medicine, I noticed a similar pattern, that the lower a culture’s meat and animal-product consumption, the later they documented the average age of puberty. The United States makes it even worse, because we not only add artificial hormones to the animals, but we homogenize milk, which allows the natural and added bovine hormones to be absorbed better by humans. Hormones designed to add 100s of pounds to a cow in less than a year… It’s pretty scary. I gave up meat 20 years ago and dairy 15, and I haven’t missed it once. If you don’t need it to meet your basic calorie needs, it’s worth seeing how little you need to feel heathy.

[@veg]

Just ... eat ... plants 🌱🥝🍉🥑🍓

[@sramilatagore6445]

here's several things for relieving fibroids quickly Avoid exposure to pestides in food and other and pollutants Make sure you consume plenty of fruit and vegetables. Make sure you have enough vitamin C make use of herbs which cleanse the liver such as burdock root (I discovered these and why they work from Kadyn Home Remedy site )

[@laurenmcdonald5512]

I`d suffered from Three large and agonizing fibroids and my doctor told me that I must have an hysterectomy. After using this fibroids treatment solution 4FibroidsMiracle.blogspot.com , my fibroid tumors had reduced by 80%. Now I have normal periods and there are no more pain.

[@brianandrew7265]

I'm not sure but ,if anyone else is searching for natural herbs to treat fibroids try Mackorny Healthy Uterine Blueprint (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my colleague got excellent results with it.

[@milosarsic9075]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to discover herbal fibroid removal try Mackorny Healthy Uterine Blueprint (just google it ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my mate got excellent success with it.

[@fatal5233]

Thank you for this wonderful research summary. I just want to concur by saying that I have experienced better health as a result of dietary changes. My fibroids shrunk after cutting out all processed sugars and animal products. (Occasional fish and dark chocolate, but now I will cut out all fish as well.) My periods are back to being light again and my breasts are no longer tender. Doctors are impressed too.

[@itswednesdayscrewironing7576]

So grateful for this info thx. 4:55 foods mentioned: broccoli, cabbage,tomatoes, apples

[@secondact7151]

This length of video was great. More in-depth and complete than many of the other videos.

[@Sunshine74444]

You have the best smile I’ve ever seen! Your smile is a great antidepressant- makes me feel happy just looking at the light and joy in your face. ❤️❤️❤️

[@shackte]

Thank you for this information. It is very helpful. One more great reason to stay plant based.

[@janslovi]

Okay, since I discovered this channel I've been binge watching the videos like it's the next season of the Game of Thrones. Great stuff! Quick question though. My mom has very unpleasant heat flashes. Any particular study dealing with this?

[@JenDoe1]

My mother had fibroids the size of grapefruits and she had to have a hysterectomy. This is fantastic - thank you so very much for this video!! No one talks about this massive problem. I’m on the vegetables so I’m hoping I’ll be okay. Many thanks Dr. Greger and team! 🙏🌱🌱

[@mooretodream]

Jennifer Same with my mother. When you say you’re on the vegetables, do you mean you’re vegan or raw vegan? I’m vegan but considering more raw.

[@JenDoe1]

mooretodream I’m Vegan but I do eat raw a fair amount...currently about 60% raw 40% cooked. I do like hot food especially in the winter :)

[@sonja4164]

Same thing happened to my mom. She lost so much blood when on her period, that she could barley walk up a short flight of stairs without getting really tired.

[@queengoblin]

No one "has to" have a hysterectomy unless they have uterine cancer. They can remove fibroids the size of basketballs and bigger. Read "the hysterectomy hoax" it's by a doctor who works with the uterus. Doctors don't want to perfom myomectomies (which is the surgery they use to remove tumors) because hysterectomies are just easier and faster. But they ruin your life. 95% of hysterectomies are unnecessary and you never need one just because of fibroids.

[@drew4021]

Once again great info Dr Greger. Would it be possible to post links to the papers cited?

[@beccyholland]

Really comprehensive information. Thank you for sharing.

[@dysprosium162]

Thanks for putting forward the research. So many OBGYN really have no clue on diet/lifestyle effects on things like fibroids. It's nice to get a coles notes overview of all the research that is out there so we can make informed choices in our lives for our health. Thanks for doing these educational videos. Truly appreciated.

[@m0L3ify]

It's amazing to me now that I used to work in labs that studied cancer, precocious puberty and ovarian disorders, but diet was never discussed in any of those labs. It's not considered by the biological sciences in general. Nutrition was not on the course list when I was getting my Biology degree. Kudos to the labs in the video for trying.

[@sonja4164]

m0L3ify that's a shame too

[@m0L3ify]

You're telling me! I now look back on all the time I wasted using drugs to get the immune system to kill cancer and failing week after week, month after month, calling a 20% survival rate " a miracle success" when people can get a thousand times the results just by going on a plant-based diet. We used to have tour groups come through the labs, and frustrated family members demanding to know why we weren't making faster progress and finding a cure NOW! I wish I could go back in time and tell them all this. I might actually have felt like I was helping people for once. Cancer research is the most depressing scientific field I've ever worked in...

[@sonja4164]

m0L3ify damn...😢

[@kul2989]

m0L3ify makes no sense!! The absence of nutritional impact on health is either intentional or absolute stupidity. Knowing that the medical industry does not make money from healthy people eating all the right foods leads me to think it’s an intentional act of not educating medical doctors.

[@chananurridin8337]

Thank you, I just started to have problems with mine and I needed this.

[@westcoastlass]

I know this is an old video but can I ask what problems you had?

[@Sarah_e_me]

I’ve been vegan for 17 years, but was raised eating meat and got my period at 10. I’ve had a myomectomy for a grapefruit sized fibroid, and now have two around 2” and some smaller ones. Implementing green tea and more cabbage. I do love kale and broccoli so I eat those already, but maybe more would help.

[@sladjanasimic5486]

Thank you. I also consume green tea and Cabbage that I love

[@lindabohannon6441]

Thank you so much- finally someone is addressing this estrogen factors- and glad i did my research since a fibroid was removed in February- I've lost 27lbs- refused to have more surgery (hysterectomy) and now menopause finally helping- Still progressing but feel on the right track

[@queengoblin]

So glad you refused hysterectomy!! They're horrible for your body and completely unnecessary unless you have uterine cancer. I watched my mother have her uterus ripped out becsuse of a fibroid when they could have done a myomectomy. It ruined her life. I was diagnosed with fibroids at 25 and they told me I'd need a hysterectomy, I refused.

[@michelebrown4520]

Well daang! Who would have thought seafood would be a culprit for this disease? Wow! Thank you Dr. G.

[@-LA-]

Thanks Dr.Mc G! I have been waiting to catch you online to ask you questions about fibroids. I love what you do and trust and assure your GrandMa is looking down and smiling at you :; ) YOU ROCK!!!

[@IvanBFit]

Love your videos. 👍

[@cassandrasan144]

More on fibroids please!

[@kathleenwooden7583]

I was diagnosed with one small but very painful uterine fibroid which turned my nights and days into a living hell. I feel so fortunate that I came across this fibroids treatment solution TreatFibroids.blogspot.com . I am surprised that there were no more pain and symptoms of the condition by the 3rd week.?

[@MrSuperbluesky]

Bacon eggs cheese breakfast followed by chicken for lunch and salmon for dinner and cancer walkathon on weekends that serve meat and sugar and dairy foods at events

[@kelby47]

Lol

[@asmrRAWrice258]

hahahaha

[@allisonchainz82]

I was raised macrobiotic and never ate meat more than once or twice in my life, I did eat fish however. I never even touched dairy until I was around 18-20 it was so gross to me. I ate dairy and eggs for a few years in my twenties but stopped, I'm 41 now and I have a 13 cm fibroid. I am vegan. It keeps growing. I've had four iron infusions the past year. I am having surgery so I don't die.

[@michelledepon1036]

Wheat and barley products it's ok to shrinking fibroids ?

[@loisephilip4513]

I was waiting to hear you say the foods to eat but ave not heard. Would pliz advise on the foods to take

[@shantemartin5713]

4:55

[@vieradenise395]

Wow i have this and i eat ham/meat alot wow

[@ultrahealthylivingedithbra5673]

Wow. Very informative

[@shantemartin5713]

@@ultrahealthylivingedithbra5673 4:55

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

Yeah, think I've met a person in the past who suffered from this, you just explained why in her case it was extra bad, cause her way of dealing with PMS was cramming in nothing but pork chops....

[@shanellakers7303]

Eelke Aptroot My sis, was on a pork binge. Pork chops, pig's feet, bacon and so on. Unfortunately after becoming pregnant, it was discovered she had a large cyst on her ovary. Upon having surgery at 15 wks, it was found that the ovary was 15cms and contained almost a liter of fluid. Now we are in the clear. But she still drink milk😐.

[@sonja4164]

Yikes!

[@scottk1525]

Random place to ask this question, but I figure asking on the most recent video improves my odds of getting a response :) Is sushi unhealthy? I understand that there are risks involved (parasites and what not), but what I'm trying to figure out is whether or not sushi is unhealthy for the *same reasons* that cooked meat is. Or whether raw eggs (salmonella aside) are unhealthy for the same reasons that cooked eggs are. Or whether raw milk is unhealthy in the same way that pasteurized milk (boiled milk) is. In other words, could it be the *cooking process* that causes all, or even most of the negative health effects of meat (and/or dairy)? It seems possible, only because that's what animals (including early humans for millions of years) evolved to eat, and as far as I know, animals aren't dying left and right of heart disease, cancer, or alzheimers. Also, given the number of problems involved in the cooking process (the charring of meat, the release/creation of toxins, the use of cooking oils and fats, the degredation/depletion of nutrients) it seems at least plausible that the cooking process *itself* might be the culprit for many of the health problems that result from eating meat Have there been any studies or research on raw meat and its effects on the body? Cheers!

[@OfftoShambala]

No, it is not just the cooking process, according to my research... meat in general is more difficult to digest. To put it simply, my research has indicated that the digestion of meat depends mostly on enzymes from the pancreas, whereas other foods, esp fresh whole fruits and veges depend on the liver. The protien, from what I understand, is very hard on the kidneys. I was dealing with my dad who had kidney failure and even the allopaths will say to watch out for protien... well, meat protien is apparently the hardest. All my research leads me to believe that meat is really an optional food in todays world, at least in the US and probably in many places where a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables grow in abundance as tehy do in places like Equador, for example. And of course, they've done nutritional studies to find out who and where are the poeple who seem to have low incidences of diseases and are living longer lives... they identified "Blue Zones"... assuming their research and conclusions are sound, it was found that people in these places actually ate small amounts of meat... in some areas, on average only in 2 meals a day, if my memory serves me. So the question posed was whether the people were living longer and healthier on average because of the addition of meat, or was it that it was consumed in moderation as compared to the SAD diet and many diets of those around the world. Of course, an important thing to note about the Blue Zones, is that they were not eating heavy amounts of processed, pre prepared, boxed, frozen, canned, restaurant foods.... all very high in fiber and lots of beans of various types seemed to be the norm in all the areas, if I remember correctly. In all fairness, I think that it is the lack of processed junk food that contributes to the findings, however, I believe the study clearly indicates that meat is not necessary for long term survival by any stretch.

[@BitPuffin]

Lol "So secret... they just list them"

[@kenkellar2246]

BitPuffin toxic!!!😂

[@queenesquiresquad]

🤣🤣🤣

[@yandex6135]

有中字真的太棒了

[@Rosannasfriend]

I'm having surgery for fibroids. I need this.

[@ImDemonWolf]

+Rosannasfriend And you are consuming a whole food plant based/vegan diet right to significantly reduce fibroids right? Otherwise, the medical attention/surgery is pointless as pointed out in the video as animal products are the cause just like heart disease, strokes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and all other hormonal cancers, etc.

[@sonja4164]

I wish you a speedy recovery. Afterwards, consider transitioning to a whole food plant based diet to make sure that the tumors don't come back... If you go back to your old way, they are sure to return. Also, look into natural feminine products.

[@hermango1]

Rosannasfriend, have you seen Dr. Greger's video "How to Treat Endometriosis with Seaweed"? My friend has been taking a bladderwrack supplement since watching that video (as well as following a whole food plant diet). Her periods are normal now when compared to before. She had her surgery two months ago and continues to take the bladderwrack and follow a vegan diet.

[@cubedcommunities_mn3242]

Rosannasfriend would you be willing to cancel it? Also, Queen Afua wrote some books about healing the womb and discusses fibroids. Might be worth looking into as well.

[@sonja4164]

That Cuber Lady I have a cpl of her books. I think the key thing to take away from her work is the benefits of a whole plant good diet for the treatment of fibroids and other womb ailments. The spiritual elements didn't really resonate with me personally. This is not to imply that they wouldn't be valuable for someone else though.

[@slowjamcdub]

Veggies for life!!! Now if I can just give up meats too! lol 😂

[@starshinelovelightlover9793]

What about serrapeptase for fibroids?

[@1maybeline]

StarShine LoveLightLover These enzymes work great. I also take them with Nattokinase.

[@JohannaZee]

My fibroids on my uterus were on the outside, and they were just getting so big and one of the ovaries was blocked visually by ultrasound so in the end I had a hysterectomy. I did however keep my cervix and ovaries. I was more vegetarian in my whole life then not, so it's a little odd that some of the statistics about pollutants and things are some of the things that can lead to getting fibroids. I I think it could be familial problem. When I tried acupuncture before the hysterectomy my friend who is the acupuncturist said she could only manage helping to shrink the fibroids if they were only about the size of a walnut, but mine were already bigger than that. And even if you do shrink them, they most likely come back.

[@sonja4164]

Johanna Woodbury if you were eating dairy all this time, you should know that it's a huge contributor to the problem. That's were most of the bovine estrogen is.

[@1maybeline]

Processed vegetarian meat-substitutes also cause fibroids.

[@sonja4164]

1maybeline that too.

[@losmagnificoscuba1725]

What about anemia ?

[@MartinMartinX]

Make new video about this pleas ! In 4 years there must be some new information.

[@user121304]

How about kale?

[@savoirfaire312]

NOT MY SEAFOOD‼️‼️‼️‼️😩😩😩

[@anyonecansee4601]

Whole plant based with cruciferous veggies, tomatoes and apples show protective effects, avoid red meats and dark fish (PCBs?)

[@user121304]

Thanks ! How about kale ? It’s also Cruciferous. Can we consume that? Please let me know.

[@GODZWOMAN-no3ix]

What is dark fish?

[@NataliaDiazJackson]

My fibroids have me bleeding perpetually between cycles. I am underweight and I am very concerned about the weight loss that happens when I curb meat and carbohydrates. I feel so frustrated. Im like an underweight diabetic. I dont know what to eat. I started eating as much as I can with out being too picky again because I got scarily thin. My metabolism is incredibly fast. I’d love some clarity about this. Eating vegetables only makes my body lose weight at a scary rate. Thank you

[@emma1624]

You sound a lot like me! :o it's rare to come across someone with the same problem. We need to eat. We need to choose either fats or carbs to prioritise. :/

[@dimitarpetrov8954]

This is a great video, but can you treat an existing fibroid with diet?

[@Rosannasfriend]

Great question.

[@mooretodream]

Dimitar Petrov I have the same question - please answer or create a video regarding this, Dr. Greger ~

[@rhyothemisprinceps1617]

My guess would be yes, since they can occasionally regress spontaneously. I'm surprised he did not mention flax since it increases sex hormone binding globulin. I use flax if I have a flare-up of fibrocystic breast issues; unfortunately, in addition to shrinking the cysts it also shrinks my breasts...

[@mooretodream]

Enfant d'Omelas Do you mean consuming ground flax seeds in smoothies? Or something else??

[@sonja4164]

Yes you can. Switching to a whole food plant based diet has been known to reduce the size of tumors & reverse symptoms (as well as weightloss). Estrogen feeds the tumors, a plant based diet is a no exogenous hormone diet.

[@tallwaters9708]

Can you please make a video about the benefits of fermented dairy?

[@m0L3ify]

As in there are none? Pretty sure he's done lots of those videos already...

[@tallwaters9708]

No I'm serious, there's apparently a lot of evidence that things like yogurt is really healthy. If vegans ate that then b12/zinc deficiency wouldn't be a problem.

[@sonja4164]

Eoin O'Chionnáigh a vegan would not drink dairy for b12 & zink. Especially when it's so eay to take a sup for b12, and eat zink rich plant foods (and we only need a little).

[@tallwaters9708]

Thanks for the reply, it's not only the b12/zinc that's really great about yogurt though, it also has a great source of calcium and (best of all) it's tremendously good for your gut bacteria.

[@sonja4164]

Eoin O'Chionnáigh eating fiber is great for healthy gut bacteria levels. Like I said, a vegan wouldn't choose to eat dairy because they are avoiding the participation in animal exploitation.

[@richardf911]

Less than optimal sound quality on this video. A bit boomy and hard to hear at times.

[@amatullahz.3327]

Women from Africa have less fibroids that's not true at allllll

[@ThePANDA1885]

herb not 'urb

[@astralpurpose1344]

No the "H" is silent.

[@ThePANDA1885]

Astral Purpose No it's not. I know this because I projected to the higher mental planes where all languages are conceived and I 'urd God say "I wish those damned Americans would stop bombing other countries and start pronouncing the word herb correctly".

[@astralpurpose1344]

+Gentle Brother Aye mate good on yoo👏

[@ch33psk8]

Hyperinsulinemia

[@meowismeify]

what about it?

[@ch33psk8]

@@meowismeify Associated with fibrin and platelet aggregation, also concomitant with fibroids. Other contributing factors include Oestrogen dominance.

[@meowismeify]

@@ch33psk8 thank you. I have always been insulin resistant

[@thegreenjarret5184]

Shiteaters be like : 0

[@aaronverran1360]

But ....um...... grass fed?

[@meowismeify]

what do you mean?

[@kitdriscoll1288]

This is incomplete information. There is no information given about women who eat organically or frass-fed meats, keto, etc.