Nutritional recommendations for endometriosis patients

Study reviews different nutrients with regard to endometriosis prevention and management

Key Points

Highlight 

• A nutrition plan rich in antioxidants, PUFAs, and vitamins D, C, and E, while avoiding processed foods and red meat, is recommended for endometriosis management.

Importance

• Diet and lifestyle factors play a significant role in endometriosis development and progression.

• Phytoestrogens and polyphenols in foods have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, making them potential agents for managing endometriosis.

What's done here

• This is a review article discussing the potential role of diet in the development and progression of endometriosis.

Key results

• Phytoestrogens found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and soybean are associated with a decreased risk of endometriosis.
• Resveratrol inhibits the growth and invasive behavior of endometriotic cells.
• Vitamin C supplementation has shown potential in improving ovarian function and reducing endometrial implants.
• Spices and herbs with anti-inflammatory properties, such as turmeric and ginger, may alleviate pain in women with endometriosis.
• Moderate caffeine intake from tea and coffee may not increase the risk, but higher consumption might be associated with endometriosis development.
• High-fat dairy and cheese intake may reduce the risk of endometriosis, while high butter consumption may increase it.
• Fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea and inflammation in endometriosis.
• Vitamin D from fatty fish and cod liver oil may modulate immune responses in endometriosis.

Limitations

• The absence of a structured review of scientific publications
• Not using the PRISMA guidelines.
• A few of the tests cited being conducted only in vitro

Lay Summary

Diet and lifestyle factors have been implicated in the development and progression of endometriosis, in addition to genetic determinants. Piecuch et al. from Poland conducted a review study discussing the importance of different nutrients and nutritional recommendations in endometriosis. The article was published in the December 2022 issue of the journal Nutrients.

Estrogen is a key factor in endometrial cellular growth, and certain nutrients can affect endogenous estrogen levels. Phytoestrogens, found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and soybean, have been associated with a decreased risk of endometriosis. Polyphenols, such as phytoestrogens, have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, making them potential agents for managing endometriosis. It is shown that obesity paradoxically shows an inverse relationship with endometriosis incidence, with a higher body mass index associated with a lower risk of the disease. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits has been shown to have positive health effects due to the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols. Studies have indicated an inverse correlation between phytoestrogen consumption and endometriosis risk. 

Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes, berries, and nuts, has shown promise in inhibiting the growth and invasive behavior of endometriotic cells. What is more, Vitamin C has been associated with improved ovarian function and reduced endometrial implants in animal studies. Supplementation with vitamins C and E has shown the potential in lowering systemic indicators of oxidative stress in patients with endometriosis. 

Spices and herbs, such as turmeric, thyme, oregano, and ginger, contain polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects and has been associated with pain reduction in women with endometriosis. While the relationship between tea and coffee consumption and endometriosis is not fully understood, some studies suggest that moderate caffeine intake may not be associated with an increased risk, while higher consumption might be linked to the development of the disease.

Dairy products, rich in progesterone, estrogen, calcium, and anti-inflammatory ingredients, have been associated with a reduced risk of endometriosis. A higher high-fat dairy and cheese intake decreases the risk, while high butter consumption may increase the risk.

Fish oil, rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids "PUFAs", has been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea and inflammatory symptoms. Omega-3 PUFAs have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and have been associated with a reduced risk of endometriosis. Vitamin D, found in fatty fish and cod liver oil, may also modulate immune responses in endometriosis. Alternative diets like vegetarian/vegan diets, low-nickel diets, low-FODMAP diets, and gluten-free diets may provide relief for some symptoms.

The researchers conclude by saying that while these studies suggest potential associations between diet and endometriosis, further research is needed to establish causal relationships and understand the underlying mechanisms. Individual variations and other lifestyle factors should also be taken into account when considering the impact of diet on endometriosis.

Research Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558442/