Endometriosis is a significant health problem for a large percentage of young women. It can cause severe pain and distress, while also compromising fertility. The conventional treatment is usually not effective long term and may cause unpleasant side effects. Did you know certain foods can affect the severity of the condition?

A recent study has found that dietary changes may reduce the pain of endometriosis for almost half of those living with the condition. A large international survey on diet and endometriosis involving 2,599 women found 45 percent of those who stopped eating gluten and 45 percent of those who avoided dairy reported experiencing a reduction in their pain.

43 percent of women who cut down on caffeine in their diet experienced pain reduction, while 53 percent of those who cut back on alcohol reported the same. Lead researcher of the study, Philippa Saunders said “It is so important for women if they feel they can do something for themselves to tackle the pain of endometriosis – that is tremendously empowering.”

How can diet changes help endometriosis?

Endometriosis usually causes pain in the pelvic region, which is worse during menstruation. Some sufferers experience sciatic-like pain, with others experience breast pain or a flu-like pains affecting the entire body.

Endometrial tissue grows in places it shouldn’t be and is actually able to grow new nerve cells as well as making existing nerve cells more active. The pain signals sent to the brain are increased by inflammation. The more inflammation there is in a woman’s body, the more inflamed the endometriosis will be too. Experts believe that the diet changes mentioned can help most women because excluding those foods reduces overall body inflammation.

Additionally, reducing certain foods may reduce bacteria in the gut that fuel inflammation. The study also found nearly 40 percent of women reported reduced pain from endometriosis after cutting out processed food such as ready meals, ice-cream and confectionary(candy). Those foods are known to alter gut bacteria in a harmful way. They encourage proliferation of all the wrong gut bugs that inflame the gut lining and create inflammation.

Interestingly, almost a third of women said their pain improved after eliminating garlic and onion. These are high FODMAP foods and people with dysbiosis and SIBO typically feel unwell after eating them. Women with endometriosis often experience bad abdominal bloating after meals. Cutting out inflammatory foods and fixing gut bug problems can offer significant relief for anyone with endometriosis.

Tips for helping endometriosis

  • Avoid or minimize dairy products. Some women find that they feel much better if they avoid all dairy products, this is likely because cow’s milk products can have undesirable hormone influences on endometriosis. Dairy products typically make menstrual bleeding heavier. Many women also need to avoid gluten, grains, caffeine and alcohol. Cutting down on those foods typically improves many varied health problems.
  • Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates. Sugar and high carb foods encourage overgrowth of yeast and bad gut bugs like Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Klebsiella and Clostridia species. These bad bugs can inflame the gut lining, causing leaky gut. The essential oils of clove, oregano and thyme found in BactoClear capsules have natural antimicrobial properties.
  • Magnesium is wonderful for reducing pain. It relaxes nerves and muscles. Women who are magnesium deficient typically experience far worse menstrual cramps and also unpleasant mood symptoms. Magnesium relaxes the body and promotes a deeper more restful sleep.
  • Heal your gut lining. It is important to reduce inflammation, heal and seal the gut lining, so that it’s a better barrier and prevents gut wastes from entering the bloodstream and over stimulating your immune system. Glutamine powder is very helpful for healing the gut. Regularly consuming bone broth is also extremely beneficial.
  • Women with endometriosis typically don’t produce enough progesterone relative to estrogen. Progesterone is only produced after a woman has ovulated. Many health problems can interfere with regular ovulation. Progesterone helps to prevent the overgrowth of endometrial tissue. Using a bio-identical progesterone cream can help to rebalance a woman’s hormones.
  • Take a good probiotic. Choosing an appropriate probiotic, such as Floratone is recommended for endometriosis as it colonises the gut with beneficial bacteria to ensure strong immunity. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, apple cider vinegar and kefir are also excellent sources of probiotics

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The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition.