What is Endometriosis
Endometriosis is known as a reproductive disorder. It is also known as an inflammatory disorder. It is also known as an immune system disorder, a systemic and chronic pain condition, a gastrointestinal and urinary system disorder.
Endometriosis has psychological effects and may impact mental health. It is often found in conjunction with an array of other conditions such as anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a host of various autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, IBS, eating disorders and nutritional deficiencies such as anaemia.
With all this in mind, diet can play a vital adjunctive role to other therapies in helping to manage endometriosis symptoms and comorbidities. Education around nutrition can women with endometriosis in maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet where possible and may assist with hormonal balance.
Adequate nutrition can also circumnavigate nutritional deficiencies or help to rectify them.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Include fresh fruit and vegetables which are high in fibre including polyphenols. They are also rich in antioxidants and an abundance of micro nutrients. Aim for fruit and veg of the rainbow including 40 different plant foods a week where possible.
Reduce intake of highly processed foods including processed meat products, commercial baked goods and packaged foods with long ingredient lists.
Minimise refined sugars and carbohydrates such as soft drinks, sugary snacks and white foods as this may increase inflammation and lead to insulin resistance. Try to keep alcohol and caffeine to a minimum as these can exacerbate symptoms in some people.
Hormone balance
Maintaining hormonal balance through food is a mixture of balancing blood sugar levels, providing enough good fat to synthesise and create hormones and then supporting their metabolism and clearance from the body.
Live loving plant foods like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale can assist along with foods that may assist in modulating estrogen such as flaxseeds or linseeds and legumes.
Foods rich in luscious fat may assist as they can help reduce inflammation and support hormonal balance at the same time.
Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and trout, seeds and nuts, olive oil, avocado and avocado oil and coconut oil. Try to avoid trans fats which are in many processed and fried foods. Avoid margarine and refined vegetable and seed oils where possible.
Simple things can help if we maintain them every day like staying hydrated, balancing our meals and eating enough protein and incorporating anti-inflammatory spices and herbs into our diet can go along way (like turmeric!).
Along with regular exercise that suits your body, plenty of sleep, maintain a healthy weight range and trying to manage stress.
In some cases, nutritional deficiencies may need to be met with a therapeutic supplement until this is rectified but in general good quality magnesium is a safe option and may assist with many symptoms.
Endometriosis is so much more than a reproductive disorder. It is a whole-body condition which we still don’t fully understand the extent of. Women with endo face discrimination, stigma, misunderstanding and chronic pain most days of their adult life. In most cases a multi-disciplinary team of specialised support is needed for each individual woman.
This blog is written for educational purposes and is not intended to replace medical advice. Please see a qualified practitioner for all health concerns.
NOTE: The advice shared via our coaches is general advice and is never a replacement for speaking to a health care professional.
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