Foods to Avoid After Uterine Fibroid Surgery
Jul 06, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chong Yiwen
Introduction
After surgery for uterine fibroids, patients should avoid the following foods:
- **Jujube (Chinese date)**: Its blood-enriching properties may stimulate the growth of uterine fibroids, potentially accelerating their proliferation.
- **Longan fruit**: Known for its qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing effects, it may increase blood flow to uterine fibroids, thereby promoting their growth.
- **Donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao)**: Should be strictly avoided to prevent ischemic necrosis of uterine fibroids.
After surgery for uterine fibroids, patients should avoid the following foods:
1. Peanuts
Peanuts contain vitamin K, which has hemostatic properties and is effective in treating various bleeding disorders. However, uterine fibroid patients should avoid peanuts, as vitamin K’s blood-clotting effects may induce intratumoral coagulation within the fibroid, potentially leading to necrosis or ischemia. Therefore, peanuts are best avoided postoperatively.
2. Red dates (jujubes)
Red dates are sweet and warm in nature, entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians; they tonify the Spleen and Qi, nourish the blood, calm the mind, and moderate the effects of other herbs. However, their blood-nourishing effect may stimulate the growth of uterine fibroids, accelerating tumor proliferation and impeding recovery. Thus, red dates are contraindicated.
3. Longan fruit
Longan fruit tonifies Qi and nourishes the blood, thereby increasing blood flow to uterine fibroids and supplying them with additional nutrients—potentially accelerating their growth. This is detrimental to patient recovery and thus longan fruit should be avoided.
4. Donkey-hide gelatin (ejiao)
Donkey-hide gelatin nourishes the blood, enriches Yin, moistens dryness, and stops bleeding. To prevent ischemic necrosis of uterine fibroids, patients must avoid consuming it.
