No More Fibroids With A Ketovore Diet
What is a Fibroid?
Dealing with fibroids ranks right up there with colonoscopies and mammograms—except for no one actually signs up for it, and it’s continuous until you can get it under control. If you don’t know what I mean, imagine lots of pain in the most uncomfortable area possible.
What is a Fibroid? A fibroid (or leiomyoma) is a non-cancerous tumor that occurs within the walls of a woman’s uterus, and generally ranges in size from a tiny pea, up to the size of a large cantaloupe (Price, 2016); although there are records of fibroids reaching up to several dozen pounds. Fibroids are often accompanied by other troublesome symptoms—particularly when they grow large.
Symptoms of Fibroids
Heavy Bleeding & Long Periods
This type of bleeding may exceed what is normally considered ‘heavy.’ Watch for things like bleeding between periods; large blood clots; and having to change out pads and tampons more frequently than normal. Some women even experience constant bleeding without a break in between periods (this was me). This is a sign that the fibroid has grown considerably large.
Pelvic Pain
Intense cramping can take place in the pelvic region when there is a large fibroid rubbing against the uterine wall.
Back Pain
Again, if a fibroid gets big enough, it can put pressure on surrounding parts, causing pain.
Weight Gain
A fibroid can, indeed, cause weight gain—especially if it gets very large. But if you’re experiencing overall weight gain, it’s likely not due to the fibroid, but the excess estrogen in your body. Estrogen Dominance is one of the main contributors to fibroid tumors. (Read my blog, ‘What Is Estrogen Dominance?’)
Constipation
This can happen if you have a large fibroid that is pressing on your colon.
Abdominal Bloating
A fibroid can cause abdominal bloating depending on where it is located within the uterus. If you’re experiencing bloating, the fibroid is likely located at the top of the uterus.
Enlarged Abdomen
If your tummy is protruding (and it’s not just fat) you may have a large fibroid.
Frequent Trips To The Bathroom
Sometimes fibroids can push on your bladder or bowel and make you need to use the bathroom more frequently than normal.
Pain During Intercourse
Obviously, this one sucks for all parties involved.
Rectal Discomfort
When I experienced my first fibroid, I often felt like I was walking around with a big rock that was stuck somewhere between the front parts and the back parts! This is probably why I always felt like I had to go to the bathroom.
Causes of Fibroids, and Many Other Ailments
Many scientists say they don’t know the cause of fibroid tumors, but some sources will provide something like the following list of culprits responsible for fibroids. I will do the same, just keep in mind that the problem goes much deeper than what you’ve heard. Here is that list:
Contributors of Fibroids
Heredity
Race
Birth Control Pills
Estrogen Dominance
Diet
Inflammation
Stress
How Heredity and Race Contribute to Fibroids
Although fibroids mainly affect women over the age of thirty, I experienced my first fibroids while still in my twenties. However, being multi-racial and mixed with black might have something to do with it.
Some research has found that black women have a higher percentage rate of fibroids than that of other races such as Caucasians and those of Asian descent. In fact, statistically, black women not only generally acquire them at a younger age, but the fibroids also tend to grow larger. (Yikes!)
My mom told me the story of my own grandmother who had given birth to my uncle. She’d said that when doctors had delivered all twelve pounds of him via C-section, that they had also discovered an enormous fibroid tumor in her uterus that was nearly the same size as him, and that the doctor had ‘delivered’ the tumor along with the baby. People are often disposed to exaggeration, so whether the tumor was truly the size of my uncle, I may never know, but I do know there was at least some truth to this story.
Although this wretched condition seemed to have skipped my mother, I’m not the only descendent of my grandmother who has suffered with fibroids. However, other fibroid sufferers in my family haven’t shared any grand revelations with me about how to deal with the burdensome ailment; I’ve had to do my own research to glean any beneficial knowledge.
I did, however, find an intriguing new development in an article I read recently. It’s called epigenetics—which basically means ‘the study of how genes can be switched on and off’ (Is PCOS Genetic?, n.d.).
Here is the gist of it: One can have a particular gene, but depending on their environment, that gene can be switched on or off. In other words, a set of twins can have the genes for fibroids, but if placed in two separate environments, with different living conditions—such as different air to breathe, different food to eat, and different household products to use—the health outcome can be different for each.
According to epigenetics, in the right environment, someone predisposed to fibroids could switch off those genes, and completely reverse their condition (Is PCOS Genetic?, n.d.). I tend to agree; we do not have to let our genes decide the level of health we want for our lives.
How Birth Control Pills Contribute to Fibroids
Many doctors prescribe their patients birth control pills in order to regulate a woman’s heavy blood flow during her cycle, (Johnson, 2018) and although this method has been known to be beneficial, the truth is that birth control pills can also be a contributing factor to fibroids.
Sometimes birth control pills only serve to increase a woman’s blood flow, and can even help to increase the size of the fibroid, as fibroids react significantly to estrogen and progesterone. And while some doctors may argue that birth control pills can help prevent fibroids if a woman begins taking them early on, (Johnson, 2018) that has not been my personal experience.
I started taking birth control pills at the age of sixteen, and took them religiously, well into my late twenties. At twenty-nine I underwent a myomectomy, (a surgery to remove a fibroid from a woman’s uterus) and the fibroid was so large it took up my entire uterus.
Clearly, birth control pills did not help me in this area, and I daresay contributed greatly to many of the problems I’ve suffered in my girly parts—and not just with fibroids. (To read about other issues I’ve suffered due to birth control pills, please read my blog, ‘No More PCOS With a Ketovore Diet.’)
Most women never stop to consider the long-term effects of birth control pills (Signs, 2018). When the problem likely stems from estrogen dominance, and then one adds to the estrogen by taking the pill, it only adds to the problem (Signs, 2018). Furthermore, because the pill also releases synthetic progesterone, a woman’s body then suppresses the production of natural progesterone; this event causes even more of a hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body (Signs, 2018).
How Estrogen Dominance Contributes to Fibroids
Above I mentioned estrogen dominance. Among many other health issues, estrogen dominance can be the cause of fibroids (Alisa, Lynn, Niko, Erin, & Ken, 2017).
What is estrogen dominance? It is a condition in which a person’s estrogen levels are out of balance with—and generally exceeding—that of their other sexual hormones; in women this would be progesterone, and in men it would be testosterone.
Estrogen dominance has become a very serious problem in many parts of the world—particularly in the U.S. One huge contributor of this problem is xenoestrogens, which are xenohormones that mimic estrogen. Because so many of these counterfeit hormones have infiltrated our households, there are millions suffering with diseases and ailments of all kinds—including fibroids—and they aren’t even aware of it.
Where have these xenoestrogens been hiding? Here is a list of just some of the places where xenoestrogens hide:
Sources of Xenoestrogens:
Hygiene Products
BPA Linings of plastic containers & canned foods
Medications
Most meat and dairy
Tap Water
Cigarettes
Alcohol
Food additives
Household products
Pesticides, herbicides, & fungicides
Vehicle exhaust fumes
Dry cleaning products
For a more comprehensive list, and to find out more about Estrogen Dominance please read ‘What is Estrogen Dominance?’
How Diet and Inflammation Contribute to Fibroids
In addition to eating foods high in xenoestrogens, another contributor of fibroids is the consumption of grains. The problem here is three-fold. Not only are most (if not all) grains now GMO, but they are also full of mold. So although our ancestors from thousands of years ago ate grains, we are certainly not eating the same grains they ate.
The introduction of GMO’s has wreaked havoc on the human race since its inception mere decades ago. I don’t have room to cover the topic in depth in this post, but in short, they are responsible for digestive problems; sterility; birth defects; cancer; autism; and of course, hormone disruption and reproductive disorders, just to name a few (Smith, 2011).
The second of the three-fold problem I mentioned—mold—has mainly to do with the way grain is stored. In the U.S., for instance, grain is stored in enormous silos. Within these silos where the grain sits for long periods of time, fungus (mold) begins to feed. When the grain is transferred from the silos to our dinner table, we then eat the grain that has the mold. When ingested, the mold attacks our bodies by spewing mycotoxins; these mycotoxins cause inflammation, and as many of us know, inflammation causes disease. Which diseases? Well, all of them—arguably anyway.
And the third issue with grains is that they turn to sugar once we eat them. So you know all the horrible things you’ve heard about sugar? Well, the same goes for grains. No, it does not matter if the label says ‘whole grains,’ or ‘multi-grain,’ or any other healthy-sounding grain; your body will still recognize the grain as sugar, and process it accordingly. And as most of us know, the continuous consumption of excess sugar can eventually lead to insulin resistance, one of the symptoms of fibroids, (and also the prelude to Type 2 Diabetes).
How Stress Contributes to Fibroids
Well this should be an easy one. I’ve watched videos and read articles about various countries where the people live simply and lead reasonably stress-free lives. Some communities help one another build houses; others share the burden of the work, and share food; there is always enough for everyone because everyone shares what they have; everyone pulls their own weight; and no one has any debt!
But we Americans are different, aren’t we? We’ve been told since birth that the only life worth living is the one where we strive for the American dream. And what is the American dream? To go to college and rack up college debt; buy a house and rack up mortgage debt; buy stuff to put in said house, racking up even more debt; and to do all of this while working a very stressful job that you acquired after obtaining your degree, that will take you ages to pay off.
I didn’t even mention all the expenses there could be if you get married and have children on top of it. This kind of life often causes stress; stress causes excess inflammation in the body; and inflammation causes disease, as mentioned above.
Thankfully we do have options. And although your doctor may warn you against the overconsumption of sugar, or the dangers of high stress, he or she is regrettably unlikely to tell you the truth about birth control pills, estrogen dominance, GMO’s, or molds—nor will they share about epigenetics, or promising solutions such as real nutrition.
What to Eat and How to Combat Inflammation
The following is my list of ‘good foods’ and then my list of ‘bad foods.’ Anyone who’s been suffering with fibroids will certainly see improvement if they follow this regimen:
My GOOD FOODS List
from BEST to ALLOWABLE:
Cod liver (canned/smoked)
Eggs (pastured)
Beef or bison (100% grass-fed if possible)
Offal (organ meat like heart, liver, kidneys of beef, lamb, bison, deer, etc)
Salmon (wild-caught if possible)
Tuna (fresh or canned in water)
Sardines
Wild meats like deer or moose
Lamb
Redmond’s Real Salt
Butter (grass-fed, like Kerrygold, if possible)
Ghee
Pink Himalayan salt (from reliable source)
Water (filtered)
Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi)
Coconut oil
Lard
Bone broth (100% grass-fed whenever possible)
Olive oil
Apple cider vinegar (with ‘the mother’)
Bacon, ham, sausage and other pork foods
Pickles (no sugar)
Avocado mayo
Mustard
Monkfruit sweetener
Stevia Sweetener
Erythritol
Vegetables (Organic, low G.I. )
Almond or Macadamia Milk (unsweetened vanilla)
Heavy Whipping Cream
Full-fat yogurt
Poultry (just add more fat, like butter)
Lunchmeats (no sugar)
Almond & coconut flours
Cheese, sour cream, cream cheese
Chocolate (stick to Lily’s or the darkest European chocolate)
Seasonings
Pork rinds
Nuts and seeds (eat in moderation; soaked to remove molds; avoid cashews & peanuts)
Tea
Coffee
Tomato sauces
Occasional keto treats (not sweetened w/sucralose or other artificial sweeteners, and AFTER weight goal is reached, and in moderation)
Keto bread, tortillas, noodles, cereal (not sweetened w/sucralose or other artificial sweeteners, and AFTER weight goal is reached, and in moderation)
Blackstrap Molasses (AFTER weight goal is reached, and if consumed rarely)
My BAD FOODS List
The whole list is BAD:
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS is the devil!)
Artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, & acesulfame potassium)
Sugar- any kind
Agave (yes, it is just as bad as the rest)
Honey (sorry, it’s natural, but the body will still recognize it as sugar)
Molasses (unless blackstrap)
Most fruit (unless lemons, limes, or berries in moderation)
Artificial colors (blue 1, red 40, yellow 5&6, etc)
Other artificial ingredients (MSG, carrageenan, sodium benzoate and other preservatives, artificial flavoring, sulphites, fillers, etc)
Unhealthy oils (hydrogenated, soybean, corn, cottonseed, canola, et al)
Margarine (eat real butter!)
Mayonnaise (unless it is 100% avocado or olive oil)
Deep fried foods (fried in bad oils)
Bread, bagels (unless keto-approved, and AFTER weight goal is reached, and in moderation)
Pastries, cookies, cakes, pies, candy (unless keto-approved, and AFTER weight goal is reached, and in moderation)
French fries, potato chips, pretzels, tortilla chips
Anything with a name that’s hard to pronounce
Processed foods (any mainstream food item in a box, can, bag, or package)
Fast food (there are some ways to eat fast food strategically)
Soda (unless sweetened w/keto-approved sweetener)
Table salt
Milk (especially skim)
Yogurt (unless it’s plain, full-fat)
Juice (just as bad as soda! It may be natural, but the body still recognizes it as sugar!)
ALL GRAINS (wheat, oats, white rice, brown rice, corn, AND ALL OTHER GRAINS)
Granola (but there are keto granolas on the market)
Soy protein / Soy protein isolate / Soy anything! (Read my blog on Soy and Xenoestrogens)
***One extra tip: I take high amounts of Vitamin D3 daily, (10,000 to 15,000 IU) and I believe everyone should.
I am always growing and learning, and so this list could evolve even more in the future. There is so much valuable information about health out there that won’t necessarily come from someone dressed in a lab coat. I would encourage everyone to educate themselves and not simply believe everything about health and nutrition that they’ve been told.
After reading all of this you may be feeling beyond overwhelmed. Here is a tip: it is impossible to eat and live perfectly (believe me, I have tried) unless you move to some remote and uncharted island where there are only fish and coconuts to eat. So give yourself some leeway—SOME.
Options Besides Drugs or Surgery for Fibroids
Although they are not linked to a higher risk of cancer, there are still some serious health risks associated with fibroids, including anemia, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Many women opt for surgery for large fibroid tumors; in fact, uterine fibroids are to blame for at least one-third of all hysterectomies performed (12 Natural Solutions, 2018). I will tell you what no doctor was able to tell me: you can shrink your fibroids without surgery! How do I know this? Because I did it.
I would love for all women who suffer with fibroids to take charge of their own bodies, but every woman must decide for herself which route to take when it comes to her own health. Just know that there are other options besides drugs and surgery. God put all kinds of things on this earth with which to heal ourselves; what a shame it would be not to at least do our own bit of research before making the wrong decision.
To hear my whole story, please read ‘My Keto-Carnivore Journey to Health.’ God bless you on your journey to health and wholeness. Don’t just live, but thrive.
~Spring Dalton
Sources:
Price, A. (2016, April 16). Fibroids: 8 Ways to Manage or Prevent Uterine Fibroids. Retrieved April 29, 2019, from https://draxe.com/fibroids/
12 Natural Solutions for Uterine Fibroids. (2018, November 20). Retrieved April 30, 2019, from https://drjockers.com/uterine-fibroids/
Johnson, L. (2018, July 26). 5 Facts About Birth Control Pills and Fibroids. Retrieved May 2, 2019, from https://fibroids.com/blog/health-information/5-facts-about-birth-control-pills-and-fibroids/
Alisa, Lynn, Niko, Erin, & Ken. (2017, April 10). What Causes Uterine Fibroids? What you need to know. Retrieved May 2, 2019, from https://www.floliving.com/what-causes-uterine-fibroids/
Signs of Estrogen Dominance -- and How to Fix It. (2018, April 13). Retrieved May 2, 2019, from https://blog.bulletproof.com/estrogen-dominance/
Is PCOS Genetic? How to Overcome PCOS Genes Like A Boss. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2019, from https://thepcosnutritionist.com/resources/is-pcos-genetic/
Smith, Jeffrey. (2011, August 25). 10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs. Retrieved May 29, 2019, from https://responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOS/
Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter does not substitute or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult with a physician or health-care professional if you ever have concerns or questions about your health. The use of any information found in this newsletter or any of the content within Ketovore with Spring is solely at your own risk.
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