Diet against endometriosis: no to red meat, yes to oily fish and linseed

An anti-inflammatory diet could help women suffering from endometriosis very painful disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the endometrium (in the uterus) grows outside the uterus. It is one of the innovations that emerged from the symposium organized by the Youth Working Group of the Italian Association for Human Nutrition during the last National Congress in Arezzo. «Endometriosis is a chronic, benign inflammation of the female genital organs and pelvic peritoneum. It affects 2 to 10% of women of childbearing age (15-49 years) around the world and approximately 30-50% of cases are symptomatic,” he explains Cinzia Ferrarisdietitian and researcher at the Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine of the University of Pavia.

The stimulus for inflammation

Inflammation occurs as a response of the immune system to tissue formation in places where it should not occur. The stimulus for the growth of this tissue is the female hormone estrogen. It is logical to think that foods known to affect estrogen production, such as soy-based foods, are not recommended, while others with anti-inflammatory properties may have positive effects on symptoms. “The general indications favor an anti-inflammatory diet, although the evidence is conflicting,” the expert continues.

Food to avoid

‘There is consensus about therelationship between red meat consumption (tried or not) e increased risk of endometriosis. One explanation could be the possible effect steroid hormones: for example, an increase in the concentrations of estradiol, the steroid hormone estrogen. In fact, high levels of estrogen are involved in the induction of inflammation typical of the disease. In addition, animal fats in meat, such as palmitic acid, appear to promote the endogenous production of estrogen and thus increase the risk of endometriosis. A further hypothesis concerns iironof which meat is rich, associated with an increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory status.

Omega-3 acids

On the other hand, there are indications that do point to it decrease in the risk of this pathology with the intake of omega-3 fatty acidstypical for example flax seed And blue fish. It is not possible to give certain indications about which foods to consume and which to avoid. However, the European guidelines of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology report that, despite the scarcity of evidence, it would be better for the future to aim for a healthy lifestyle that also includes adequate nutrition, limiting alcohol consumption and regular alcohol consumption. fysical activity.”