How Diet Can Help Endometriosis

Diet has an important role to play in management of endometriosis symptoms and spread, since foods promoting systemic inflammation drive progression of the condition (Burney & Giudice, 2012). While there is no universal diet for endometriosis, undertaking an anti-inflammatory diet (AID) rich in wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, organic poultry, and small amounts of red meat; reduces severity and spread of endometriosis due to the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants (Saguyod, Kelley, Velarde, & Simmen, 2018). Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish including salmon contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), reducing prostaglandins such as those generated from dietary red meat, decreasing inflammation and pain (Arosh et al., 2015; Yamamoto, Harris, Vitonis, Chavarro, & Missmer, 2018).

Additionally, high omega-3 intake also reduces the risk of developing endometriosis, with high EPA blood levels leading to decreased endometrial deposits (Hopeman, Riley, Frolova, Jiang, & Jungheim, 2015). Comparably, an AID is high in fruits and vegetables containing phytoestrogens such as flaxseed meal, which limit the function of estrogen our body produces; therefore, lowering its effects on endometrial tissue growth, reducing symptoms of pain (Youseflu, Jahanian Sadatmahalleh, Mottaghi, & Kazemnejad, 2020).

Moreover, the increased level of fibre from fruits and vegetables not only serve to lower estrogen levels, however support gut health by increasing beneficial bacteria; preventing overgrowth of bad bacteria that cause further inflammation and pelvic pain (Leonardi, Hicks, El-Assaad, El-Omar, & Condous, 2020). The AID also contains polyphenols such as resveratrol found in grapes, berries and pistachios; and epigallocatechin gallate, found within green tea; both with antioxidant properties, reducing free radicals generated from endometrial deposits, decreasing their size and inflammatory traits (Dull et al., 2019; Matsuzaki & Darcha, 2014).

Not sure where to start with making dietary changes? Feeling lost and confused about what dietary changes are right for you personally? Contact me for a consultation. I would love to support you <3

Bec

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