(8 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "The same diet that helps regulate hormones in women may also reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting pollutants."
(2017) The Best Food for Fibroids
(7 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "Women with uterine fibroids should consider adding green tea to their daily diet, as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled interventional trial suggests it may help as well as surgery."
(2022) Should Women with Fibroids Avoid Soy?
(5 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "When it comes to uterine fibroids, is soy harmful, harmless, or helpful?"
(2017) Talcum Powder & Fibroids
(5 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "What role does diet and baby powder play in the development of fibroids and ovarian cancer?"
Women eating a diet high in red and processed meat and a diet low in fibre rich foods such as fruits and veg have an increased incidence of fibroids. This is thought to be partly because of the lack of fibre that binds oestrogen in the gut. Red meat also contains hormones being animal tissue which can promote the growth of fibroids.
Fruit and vegetable consumption decrease the risk of fibroids. Soya intake does not appear to increase risk and may be protective for fibroids, by virtue of its phytoestrogens (see soya leaflet). Fibroids may shrink in women eating soya foods although flaxseeds, whole grains and green tea are better at shrinking overall size.