Health
Reduce Fibroid Risk
ThirdAge women might want to load up on green veggies and fruits -- not only for the obvious nutritional value -- but also to prevent fibroids -- benign uterine tumors common for women in their 40s.
Depending on their size and location, fibroids -- the leading reason for hysterectomies -- may not be a problem, or they could contribute to anemia, pelvic pain and infertility. A study in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology says women who eat a lot of green vegetables and fruit seem to gain a protective effect against fibroids.
Researchers don't have much data on why some women are more prone to fibroids than others, but the tumors are believed to be hormone-dependent, with unopposed estrogen -- estrogen not counterbalanced by progesterone -- possibly increasing the risk. They say the effect of vegetables in potentially lowering estrogen levels may reduce that risk.
The study also finds women who frequently eat red meat are more likely to have fibroids -- perhaps because they are less likely to be eating vegetables or because meat has an effect on estrogen levels. But the researchers note fibroids are not linked with other high-fat foods such as cheese, butter and oil, nor is there a clear association between body weight and fibroids.
Take our ThirdAge Menopause Quiz.
Depending on their size and location, fibroids -- the leading reason for hysterectomies -- may not be a problem, or they could contribute to anemia, pelvic pain and infertility. A study in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology says women who eat a lot of green vegetables and fruit seem to gain a protective effect against fibroids.
Researchers don't have much data on why some women are more prone to fibroids than others, but the tumors are believed to be hormone-dependent, with unopposed estrogen -- estrogen not counterbalanced by progesterone -- possibly increasing the risk. They say the effect of vegetables in potentially lowering estrogen levels may reduce that risk.
The study also finds women who frequently eat red meat are more likely to have fibroids -- perhaps because they are less likely to be eating vegetables or because meat has an effect on estrogen levels. But the researchers note fibroids are not linked with other high-fat foods such as cheese, butter and oil, nor is there a clear association between body weight and fibroids.
Take our ThirdAge Menopause Quiz.
