Ask the doctor

I was diagnosed with fibroids about a year ago, which have become very painful during the past 3 months. Do you have any suggestions?

--(signed) Anxiously Seeking Relief

First of all, consider dietary changes to balance your hormones, reduce the estrogen burden and decrease inflammation. Eat whole grains such as millet and quinoa. And I don't mean breads but the whole grains themselves, which are excellent sources of B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium and potassium.

I tell women with fibroids to eat small amounts of meat for the first week after their menstrual period to replenish their blood, and then to follow a vegetarian diet that includes beans and legumes for the next 3 weeks. Women eating a vegetarian diet have lower blood estrogen levels titan women who eat meat and don't get much fiber.

Soybean products contain phytoestrogens, which reduce the body's burden of accumulated estrogen. Seeds and nuts are also good along these lines, but peanuts contain arachidic acid, which increases inflammation. So, no peanuts.

I also advise using inflammation-decreasing oils such as olive oil and canola oil for cooking, or flax, borage, evening primrose or fish oils as supplements. Chocolate and coffee bind the enzyme system in the liver that is responsible for the breakdown of estrogen, so avoid them.

Because B vitamins support the liver in its many functions--including removing estrogen From the body--taking a B-50 complex may be helpful. Herbs such as dandelion leaf and root, milk thistle, artichoke, Oregon grape root, chelidonium and curcumin also support liver function. Herbs such as goldenseal, red root, helonias root and ginger accelerate metabolism and lymph drainage to eliminate hormones.

A formula I use to shrink fibroids is 2 ounces wild yam root, 2 ounces chasteberry seed, 1 ounce sarsaparilla root, 1 ounce calendula and 1 ounce yarrow flower. Combine these, then add 1 ounce of the mixture to 4 cups of boiling water. Cover and allow the brew to simmer for 20 minutes. Strain, and drink one cup four times a day.

There is an herbal formula made by several companies called Scudder's formula. It is very good for controlling fibroids. Also, black cohosh has been shown to decrease estrogen levels in the body. (Take 15-30 drops three times a day.) If fibroids are causing increased bleeding, try a cinnamon bark tincture of 10-20 drops four times a day.

Frank Envolino, ND, lives in Palm City, Florida. He's on the staff of Jupiter Medical Center Hospital as an acupuncturist. He received his doctorate of naturopathic medicine and a master's of science degree in acupuncture from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. In 2003, he was appointed by the governor to the Florida State Board of Acupuncture.

Dr. Ervolino is happy to answer your health questions. Email him at askdre@adelphia.net.

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