Endometriosis and Fertility Resource Page

Dietary changes that help endometriosis
Naturopathically, treatment for endometriosis will include a plan that provides both symptom relief and addresses the underlying cause of the condition. Since the endometrial tissue is sensitive to the hormone estrogen, many women experience worsening of symptoms due to an imbalance of the hormones estrogen & progesterone. Therefore, one of the facets of naturopathic treatment aids the body in proper production & elimination of these hormones. The remainder of this article will focus on addressing hormone balance as well as decreasing inflammation through dietary changes.

When a woman with endometriosis eliminates certain foods from her diet, it is likely that her symptoms will decrease. Red meat, dairy, & sugar contribute to inflammation throughout the body; & inflammation of the endometrium will cause pain. Caffeine intake is also associated with endometriosis. As little as one cup of coffee a day can increase a woman’s chances of developing endometriosis. Finally, alcohol can deplete the body of vitamins that are necessary to process & eliminate estrogens.

After talking about the foods that should be eliminated, it is appropriate to discuss foods that can be added to the diet. Eating fresh, organic fruits & vegetables will benefit a woman with endometriosis for several reasons. First, vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, beets, & artichokes all support the liver. The liver is the organ that is responsible for breaking down estrogens in the body and if it is not functioning properly, estrogens will build up in the body, worsening endometriosis. The fiber in fruits & vegetables enables the body to excrete estrogens efficiently through the gastrointestinal tract, preventing hormones from being recirculated in the blood. When hormones are recirculated there is the potential for estrogen excess. When the diet is tilted toward vegetarianism, there are less estrogens found circulating in the blood.

While a vegetarian diet will lessen the symptoms of endometriosis, there is one important meat that can be added to benefit a woman with endometriosis. A wild-caught, cold water fish such as cod or salmon contains essential fatty acids that work against inflammation. So adding wild-caught fish to the diet is another dietary strategy that can help endometriosis.

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