A recent study reveals that adopting a plant-based diet may help, not only to prevent, but also to relieve pain caused by endometriosis. According to the scientific article “Nutrition in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis: A review” published in the medical journal Frontiers in Nutrition, red meat intake increases the risk of Endometriosis by 56 percent more.
What is Endometriosis?
The Italian Ministry of Health defines it this way: “Endometriosis is the presence of endometrium, mucous membrane that normally lines only the uterine cavity, outside the uterus and can affect women as early as their first menstruation (menarche) and accompany them until menopause.”
Who does he hit?
There are 190 million women worldwide who suffer from this condition and 3 million in Italy alone. Although the peak-i.e., 10-15%-is among women between the ages of 25 and 35, the gynecological disorder can also appear at a younger age, as well as in older adulthood, registering cases even in post-menopause, especially in women taking hormone replacement treatments. Another fact to consider is that 30-50% of women who have difficulty conceiving or are infertile are affected by endometriosis.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may manifest as painful menstrual cycles, chronic pelvic pain, pain during and/or after sexual intercourse, difficulty in defecation and urination, fatigue, depression or anxiety, as well as abdominal bloating and nausea.
So why does adopting a vegan diet prevent the risk?
The vegan diet is based on eating foods of plant origin, depriving itself of those of animal origin-not only meat and fish but also derivatives such as milk and eggs. Research explains how the decrease in meat and the consequent higher intake of fiber from plant-based foods causes there to be 10 to 25 percent less estrogen.
The authors of the article summarize by concluding thus, “The pathophysiology of endometriosis involves the actions of estrogen and inflammatory processes. Evidence suggests that dietary factors are highly correlated with them. Consumption of trans fatty acids-i.e., those naturally derived from foods of animal origin: dairy products and ruminant-derived meat-of palmitic acid and red meat is associated with an increased risk of endometriosis, whereas consumption of plant foods, particularly fiber and antioxidants, and vitamin D may have beneficial effects for prevention and treatment.”
Sources:
World Health Organization
Ministry of Health
“Nutrition in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis: A review” Frontiers in Nutrition.
