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Many women who suffer from endometriosis have shared that they experience significant relief by using nutrition to alleviate symptoms.

Women with endometriosis should avoid fatty foods, such as red meat and [high-fat] dairy foods that may be high in PCBs and dioxins, to reduce their exposure to these estrogenic pesticides. Use organic food whenever feasible, or peel fruits and vegetables…Some research suggests a link between dioxins in the environment and increased levels of estrogen.
– Dian Shepperson Mills, British Nutritionist

The most common diets said to have significant and positive impact when incorporated are:

1. Anti-estrogenic

We already know that estrogen exacerbates endometriosis, so limiting foods that promote increased estrogen may help alleviate symptoms.

“It is critically important to know the difference between estrogen promoters and estrogen inhibitors” – Ori Hofmekler, The Anti-Estrogenic Diet

2. Wheat/Gluten Free

“Eating a wheat-free diet seems to help many women with endometriosis symptoms. Whether this is a result of gluten or another component of wheat is unclear. It may be worth excluding wheat for one month to see if it makes a difference to your abdominal pains at periods and ovulation.” Dian Shepperson Mills

The most common tips shared by women who use nutrition to alleviate endo symptoms are:

 

Nutrition Tips
  1. Cut out red meat, dairy, sugar and wheat
  2. Minimize or avoid soy
  3. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
  4. Cut out refined and concentrated carbohydrates
  5. Increase fibre intake
  6. Eat fresh (but peeled fruits and veggies)
  7. Increase daily water intake

Even though many women claim relief through nutrition, there are some doctors who aren’t sure that diet is beneficial in terms of endometriosis relief per se.

If you have endometriosis, speak with your doctor and/or nutritionist to see if a specific dietary plan or guideline might be worth trying.


Dian Shepperson Mills is also the author of Endometriosis: A Key to Healing and Fertility through Nutrition.