THE ENDO CLUB...Please Pray for Us!

PLEASE ALSO SEE THE OTHER PAGES ON THIS SITE CALLED"NON-TOXIC ENVIRONMENT AND THE ENDO DIET"

Hi Girls!  I know their is a lot of info here that can be overwhelming. Take it a little at at time, but make sure to scroll down to the interview with Diane Mills-she wrote the Book: Endometriosis-A key to healing through nutrition. To have success with this treatment plan, we need to make a long term commitment to better health. 

  Here are some Natural Treatments that I have found helpful, please consult your Dr. for any medical advice & treatments.  I am not a Dr.,  so please research everything written here and see your doctor for your own personal program as we are all different, yes we have endo in common, but most of us have other things that also come into play. I am just giving my example program for learning...

Please see what each product was used for. Both naturopath drs. started out with an herbal liver cleanse.
Mainly for the endo:
1)Vitex or called chaste tree berry to balance too much estrogen.
2)Natural progesterone cream. Thank You, Thank You! Dr. Lee! for endo suppression!
3)Endometriosis Diet
4)Fish oil for endo and overall health.
5)Slippery elm bark powder was used the 1st 6 months of treatment-took away all my digestion/stomach problems.
6)No pesticides, chemical free makeup, lotions, soap, shampoo...(avoid the word parabens ex: methylparaben... this was easy for me to switch brands-whole foods & trader Joes has a lot of natural brands.

For overall good health:
7)Emergen "C" packets from Trader Joes, contains a load of many vitamins.
8)Calcium/magnesium citrate before bed, sometimes add chamomile tea also-great to sleep well.
9)Light exercise 4 times per week.(oh easy to say, but not easy to do)

For more health problems:
Adrenal glandular & B5 tablets for adrenal gland fatigue.
Chromium picolonate for hypoglycemia.
B12 shots every other day for B12 deficiancy 
Iron tablets for Anemia. 
Evening primrose oil for PMS.
Acidophillis for a few months for candida and also Oregano oil.

10-11-2005 update. I do not take iron anymore or the adrenal glandulars. I also recently have added milk thistle and a superfood"green drink" by garden of life. This is like eating 10 servings of veggies a day and also contains sea vegetables which are great for detoxing. I also take a detoxing epson salt bath 1 time a week. I switch off between drinking noni juice and aloe vera juice once in a while. I have made great improvements!(see my story) and am feeling very well.

Now Imagine if I had done what my gynos. suggested: Lupron - that would not have fixed me-yes possibly it would have supressed the endo for a short time, which is one part of the picture, but what would it have done to my delicate hormonal system? and the rest of my body. The pill cannot fix my problems, removing organs, a hysterectomy would lead to another hormonal imbalance... How can 1 part of the body be fixed without paying attention to the rest of the body. The entire body needs to be treated, nourished and balanced as a whole.
Who knew?, this was just determined at 42-43 years old. Forget the past, On to getting it all fixed now. Thank You Lord!

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"This information used in permission by Dr. Lam"

It is a condition where endometrium (the lining of the uterus) is found in locations outside the uterus, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, abdomen,  deep inside the uterine muscle, . bowel, bladder,  utero-sacral ligaments (ligaments that hold the uterus in place), peritoneum (covering lining of the pelvis and abdominal cavity), or other parts of the body.  It can grow between organs and cause them to stick together.

The causes of endometriosis is not yet fully known. There are quite a few theories, from genetics to toxic environment. Backward bleeding, or "retrograde menstruation" ( when bleeding that goes up into the uterus) is thought to be the leading cause.  Endometrial cells are estrogen responsive, and estrogen dominance is the norm in developed society.  Many researchers  believed that estrogens and their close relative xenoestrogens (environmental estrogens) plays an significant causative role in this disease. Excessive estrogen is the strongest link  and a key causative factor in many diseases, including estrogen dominance related illnesses such as  endometriosis. Some have tried to link bleached tampons with pollutants residues as the cause, but this have yet to be proven.
Risk Factors

• Family history of endometriosis, especially mother or sister
• Late childbearing ( after age 30)
• History of long menstrual cycles with a shorter than normal time between cycles
• Abnormal uterus structure
• Diet high in hyrogenated fat ( trans-fat) such as French fries or cookies
• Stress

Symptoms and Diagnosis
Endometrial tissue respond to the same tissue as the uterus, it may bleed during menstruation. The most common symptom is pain and cramps that coincides with the menstrual cycle, and scar tissue can form wherever the endometrial tissue is located as it  can interfere with the function of the organs. Other symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse , abdominal pain and or low back pain and dirarhea during menstruation.  Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. The degree severity of the symptoms do not necessarily correlate with the degree of involvement, as each person reacts differently. Having endometriosis increase the risk for uterine fibroids or breast cyst, and may be accompanied by severe fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia.

The only way to diagnosis endometriosis is by laparoscopy, a surgical procedure where the surgeon place a small scope inside the pelvic cavity looking for endometrial tissues. This is often not successful, and diagnosis can take years.

Natural Treatment
Surgical intervention focuses on removal of endometrial tissues, while drug therapy focuses on balancing the hormonal picture with birth control pills. Both are not very successful. More than 500,000 surgeries are performed each year for endometriosis, and there is upwards of 40% of  recurrence, continued pain, and disability. This disease often subside with menopause when estrogen level is reduced in absolute terms. It also goes away when ovaries are non-function. This can be surgically induced by removal of both ovaries, or chemically induced by the use of drugs such  on a temporary basis.

This protocol is designed to reduced the body's estrogen load by reducing internal estrogen load though offsetting it with progesterone, increase estrogen clearance out of the body, and reduced external ingestion and environmental estrogen (xenoestrogen) insults.

Endometriosis is a very difficult condition to overcome. Patience is required.

1. Natural Progesterone
Natural progesterone should be considered. It helps to reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial and breast cancers, while unopposed estradiol causes that is frequently associated with firbrocystic breast disease, endometriosis, PMS, fibroids, and breast cancer. Specific dosage varies depending on the condition. For endometriosis, apply 20 mg of natural progesterone cream starting at day 8 and continue until day 26 of a usual 28-day cycle. Adjust the dosage to match relieve of symptoms as advised by your doctor. It takes upwards of 6 months to notice the effect, and if no results are seen within 2 months, the dosage may have to be increased upwards to 40 mg a day. As the desired results are obtained, the dosage can be adjusted downwards until the lowest effective dose is found. Continue until menopause, and if flare up occurs, increase the dosage to reduce symptoms. It is important to note that too much progesterone can cause drowsiness.

Getting a baseline salivary progesterone and estrogen level is best, and its best you consult a naturally oriented physician before you get started.

2. Dietary Adjustments
Overeating with trans-fat  is  the norm in developed countries. Populations from such countries, especially in the Western hemisphere, derive a large part of their dietary calorie from fat. They also show a much higher incidence of menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown that the estrogen level fell in women who switched from a typical high-fat, refined-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet even though they did not adjust their total calorie intake. Plants contain over 5,000 known sterols that have progestogenic effects. Cultures whose eating habits are more wholesome and who exercise more have a far lower incidence of menopausal symptoms because their pre- and postmenopausal levels of estrogen do not drop as significantly.

Fortunately, scientists have identified cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts to contain a high level of phytoestrogen. These important vegetables work by competitively occupying the estrogen receptor sites on the cell membrane to prevent estrogen from exerting its effects on the cell. About 3-5 servings a week is needed.

A plant-based unprocessed whole-food diet is recommended. At least 15 grams of fiber should be consumed a day. Avoid high-glycemic foods such as refined sugar. Avoid alcohol or drugs that can damage the liver which will lead to an increase in estrogen due to the lack of estrogen breakdown.

3. Coffee and Tea
Studies have shown that drinking more than two cups of coffee a day may increase estrogen levels in women. It could also lead to problems such as endometriosis and breast pain. An average cup of coffee (4 oz) contains about 100 mg of caffeine, and an average cup of tea ( 8 oz) contains about a third to half the caffeine content of coffee.

Having high levels of estrogen for women in such cases can be detrimental as it can lead to breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Those who have a family history of cancer also have a higher risk.

In a clinical trial conducted, about 500 women between the ages of 36 to 45 were studied. These women were not pregnant, not breast-feeding or having hormonal treatment. They were interviewed regarding their diets, smoking habits, height and weight. Their hormone levels during the first five days of their menstrual cycle was also measured.

The results showed that women who consumed more than one cup of coffee a day had significantly higher levels of estrogen during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Those who consumed at least 500 mg of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee had nearly 70% more estrogen than women who consumed less than 100 mg of caffeine daily.

Caffeine intake from all sources was associated with higher estrogen levels regardless of the women's age, body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking habits, alcohol and cholesterol intake. Coffee consumption increases estradiol levels. There are three different forms of estrogen in the body - estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Estradiol is the form that is pro-cancerous. Women should limit their intake of coffee to not more than one to two cups daily to decrease their risk of having more serious health problems.

Chronic high caffeine intake can also leads to adrenal gland exhaustion and the reduction if production of progesterone. The proper progesterone to estrogen ratio is therefore not maintained, resulting in further estrogen dominance.

Coffee (especially when accompanied with sugar) also creates an acidic internal environment. The body will try to neutralize the acid by withdrawing valuable minerals such as magnesium and calcium from the bone. This leads to mineral depletion if chronic and ultimately osteoporosis.

In addition to the above, coffee is a stimulant that leads the body to generate epinephrine as it tries to fend off insults with a flight or fight response. In response to the epinephrine, the adrenal glands (sitting on top of the kidneys) secrets cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone and one that is pro-aging to reduce the effects of epinephrine. Chronic excess intake of coffee can lead to adrenal exhaustion over time. The adrenal glands are also responsible for manufacturing pregnenolone, a precursor to progesterone. Deficiency in progesterone in turn upsets the intricate estrogen/progesterone balance, leading to estrogen dominance and a host of symptoms including fatigue, bloating, depression commonly associated with menopausal and pre-menstrual symptoms.

Thus, coffee consumption can lead to increased estrogen, adrenal gland exhaustion, and osteoporosis.

4. Detoxification
Estrogen is metabolized in the liver. Herbs that fortify the liver will speed up estrogen clearance from the body. Estrogen that is not metabolized by the liver will continue to circulate and exert it effect on the body, worsening any developing endometriosis.

The most impressive research has been done on a special extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) known as silymarin, a group of flavonoids compounds. These compounds protect the liver from damage and enhance the detoxification process.

Silymarin prevents damage to the liver by acting as an antioxidant. It is much more effective than vitamin E and vitamin C. Numerous research studies have demonstrated its protective effect on the liver. Extremely toxic chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride, amanita toxin, galactosamine and praseodymium nitrate produce experimental liver damage in animals. Silymarin has been shown to protect the liver against these toxins.

Silymarin also works by preventing the depletion of glutathione. The higher the glutathione content, the greater the liver's capacity to detoxify harmful chemicals. Moreover, silymarin has been shown to increase the level of glutathione by up to 35 %. In human studies, silymarin has been shown to exhibit positive effects in treating liver diseases of various kinds including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, fatty infiltration of the liver, and inflammation of the bile duct. The common dosage for silymarin is 70 to 200 mg one to three times a day.

In addition, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and medications that interfere with the liver's detoxification mechanism.

5. Maintaining ideal body weight:
Half of the adults in Europe and 61 per cent of American adults are overweight. If you are overweight, lose it as fat cells increase estrogen production. The higher the estrogen, the higher the chances of endometriosis. Cancer is more common in overweight people. The evidence on weight is strongest for post-menopausal breast cancer and cancer of the endometrium (lining of the womb), gall bladder and kidney.

Over-consumption of calories leads to increased metabolic activity in the body. This in turn leads to excessive free radical formation. Free radicals damage cells and causes genetic mutation, which ultimately can lead to cancer.

Obesity is normally defined by the body mass index or BMI, which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. An index of between 18.5 and 25 is considered healthy, while those with a score between 25 and 29 are classified as overweight and those whose BMI is higher than that are considered obese. The target weight should be 5 to 10 per cent below the ideal body weight. Your ideal body weight can be calculated easily. For women, the formula is 100 pounds plus 5 pounds for every inch above 5 feet. Therefore, for a woman standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, her ideal weight is 100 + (5 pounds/inch x 6 inches) = 130 pounds. Give or take 5 pounds for large or small frame size respectively.

6. Exercise
Properly performed exercises have been shown to modulate hormonal imbalance .  Moderate exercise also increase the body's production of endorphins, the natural pain relievers. Those who exercise regularly are also happier, less depressed, and have an optimistic outlook on life. This results in increased life expectancy. Statistically, life expectancy increases by two hours for every hour spent doing the proper exercises.

Precision anti-aging exercises must incorporate flexibility, cardiovascular and strength training exercises. All it takes is 5 minutes of flexibility training every day, 20-30 minutes cardiovascular training 3 times a week, and 15-20 minutes of strength training 2 times a week. A properly structured program takes an average of 30 minutes a day, which is less than 2% of the entire day.
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7. Nutritional Supplementation
The body of a hormonal imbalanced person needs to be fortified. Here is a summary of the daily nutritional consideration for those 45 and over:

Vitamin A (Antioxidant) - 15,000 IU (300% RDA) with no more than 5,000 IU in Vitamin A palmitate and the rest in natural mixed beta carotene. You will not get overdosed or feel toxic effects. More than 100 studies have shown that people with high levels of beta carotene in their diet have half the chance of developing cancer and heart attack.

Vitamin C (Antioxidant) - 1,000 mg (2,000% RDA) in the form of ascorbic acid (no need to spend more money on other forms unless you have a sensitive stomach or taking more than 2,000-3,000 mg per day). A study of Americans show that intake of 300 mg of vitamin C per day adds 6 years to a man's life and 2 years to a woman's life. Cardiovascular disease decreased by 40%. Take this in split doses as it is excreted within a few hours. No toxicity has been reported on long-term intake of up to 20,000 mg a day. It is important to incorporate ascorbyl palmitate (the fat soluble form of vitamin C) , L-proline, and L-lysine. The three work synergistically to rebuild damaged blood vessels and prevent atherosclerosis.

Vitamin E (Antioxidant) - 400 IU (1,333% RDA) in the form of water dispersible d-alpha tocopherol (the natural form). This amount has been shown in repeated researches to be the optimum dose for anti-aging and cancer prevention. The risk of not taking Vitamin E is statistically equivalent to the risk of smoking. A large scale Harvard study of 87,000 nurses showed that those taking more than 250 IU a day for 2 years have 41 % lower incidence of major heart disease. To take the equivalent of 400 IU in food would require 2 quarts of corn oil or 28 cups of peanuts a day.

Magnesium (Antioxidant) - 500-1,000 mg (125-250 % RDA). Less than 25 % of Americans meet even the low RDA standard. A 2,000 kcal diet is needed if no supplement is taken. Critical for proper heart function, normalize arrhythmias, and helps to reduce blood pressure. Requirement is higher if you take intake of sugar and fat is high in diet. The calcium to magnesium ratio should be between 1:1 to 1:2.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) - 800 mcg ( 200 % RDA) - a non-toxic nutrient that protects our chromosome from DNA damage and cancer. A Harvard study of 16,000 women and 9,500 men showed that those getting the post folic acid has the lowest incidence of getting pre-cancerous polyps in the colon. Folic Acid also helps with depression . No noticeable side effects at up to 10,000 mcg.

Vitamin B12 - 100 mcg- 1,000 mcg(1,666 % - 16,666 % RDA) - over 24 % of people over 60 years old and over 40 % of people over 80 years old are deficient due to decreased absorption with age. Deficiency also causes Alzheimer's Disease like symptoms. A must take for those over 50 years old as cheap and added insurance. Non toxic at 1,000 mcg daily for many years or up to 100,000 mcg in a single dose.

Chromium - 200 mcg (166 % RDA) in chelated form for better absorption - Very little is contained in food and as a result , 90 % of all Americans are deficient in the RDA of this trace element which is critical to normalize blood sugar. A Israel research shows that daily intake of 200 mcg of chromium improves insulin resistance in Type II Diabetes by up to 50 % in weeks.

Zinc - 30 mg (200 % RDA) in chelated form for better absorption - 33 % of healthy Americans over age 50 have zinc deficiency and don't know it. The percentage increases to 90 % for those older. You need a daily calorie intake of 2,400 kcal to get just the RDA. Zinc is critical for proper thymus gland and immune system function. Research has shown that daily intake of 30 mg of zinc reactive the immune system with dramatic improvements after 6 months in those with zinc deficiency.

Calcium - 500 mg (50 % RDA) in the form of calcium carbonate. In addition to keeping our bones healthy, calcium also fights cancer. Calcium carbonate contains 40 % calcium, compared to others such as calcium gluconate which contain 9 % elemental calcium. Don't take more than 500 mg at a time for best absorption. Calcium citrate is better absorbed, but only contains 11 % calcium. Calcium should be balanced with magnesium at 1:1 or 1:2 ratio.

Citrus Bioflavonoids - 100 mg - potent antioxidants derived from plants that have metal binding (chelating) properties. Commonly found in grape seed.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid - Eating 8 oz of fish a week is all you need to do. Otherwise, take 1,000 mg from fish oil to contain 360 mg EPA and 240 mg DHA. Most people taking fish oil have a tendency to develop a fishy " burp". Over 60 research studies have shown that a variety of ailments from arthritis to heart disease can benefit from fish oil (not cod liver oil which contains a high dose of Vitamin A and D which are toxic in high doses). 400 IU of Vitamin E should be taken simultaneously to potentiate the effect of fish oil.

Evening Primrose Oil or Borage Oil - 500 mg -1,000 mg (standardized to 9 % GLA) - an essential fatty acid. Strong anti-inflammatory properties and useful for arthritis, PMS, and skin conditions. Most researches use 3,000-6,000 mg a day. Borage oil is superior to EPO due to its higher content of GLA .

Digestive Enzyme containing lipase, cellulase, protease, and amylase. 2-3 tablets two times a day between meals.

DIM ( diindolymethane) 60-120 mg a day. This  is an active metabolited of indole-3-carbinol. It improves estrogen ratio in the body.

Avoid Iron or copper unless you are anemic.

8. Reduced Xenoestrogen Load

These are external estrogen from the environment that has molecular structure similar and behaves like estrogen once inside the body.

· Throw away all pesticides, herbicides, and fungicids.

· Throw away cosmetics that have toxic ingredients such and switch to organic and "clean" cosmetics

· Throw away nail polish and nail polish remover.

· Use organic soap and toothpaste.

· Don't use fabric softeners as it puts petrochemical right on your skin

· Use only naturally based perfume. Most perfumes are petrochemically based.

· Have a good water filter for your source of water.

· Do not use plastic goods since all plastic leach into the environment. This includes intrauterine device ( IUD)

· Eat only organic based whole food.

· Avoid surfactants found in many condoms and diaphragm gels.

· New carpet can give off noxious fumes. Beware.

· Be aware of noxious gas such as that from copies and printers, carpets, fiberboards, computer monitors that emit high level of electromagnetic force ( EMF).

· Avoid X rays as much as possible.

· Do not microwave food in plastic container, and especially avoid the use of plastic wrap to cover food for microwaving.

· Wash your food well to rid the pesticides. Bath the washed food in ozonated water for 20 minutes before cooking. 

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The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring. --Bern Williams

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Dietary modification to alleviate endometriosis symptoms:

"This interview 1st appeared on www.endometriosisZone.org & is reprinted with permission"

Mark Perloe, MD: “I’m Mark Perloe and I’m here with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine meeting in Seattle, Washington and I'm with Dian Mills who recently updated her book on nutrition. We talked earlier about how nutrition plays a role in fertility but I understand that the book is a bit more comprehensive. Can you first of all tell us the title of the book and when the new edition will be out?”

Dian Mills, Cert. Ed., BA, Dip. ION, MA: “Yes, the new edition was out in America on the 1st of August 2002. Mike and I have rewritten three new chapters in the book, one on the ovary, one on the nervous system because when I was in Helsinki the Danish and Swedish groups were saying, ‘Why are we so depressed all the time?” so I’ve explained a little bit about that. Then I put another in on food and what to eat and how to prepare shopping lists, more about these and everything else like that.”

Mark Perloe, MD: “One of the theories about endometriosis that I was so interested in is, women who had endometriosis. It may actually not be the endometrial implant that is to blame. There are women who have bladder systems, interstitial cystitis and have bowel related symptoms and fibromyalgia. There is a lot of thinking that perhaps this is a disorder of para-sympathetic nerve connection or pelvic neuropathy. What role would nutrition play in dealing with pelvic pain aside from the actual presence of a lesion?”

Dian Mills, Cert. Ed., BA, Dip. ION, MA: “Well, this is a good question because I always suspect that a lot of the pain which we get with endometriosis, I don’t know that it’s necessarily caused by the endometriosis itself. I think there are a lot of immune products in the peritoneal fluid, which are increasing inflammation, which are causing the bowel and bladder to go into spasms. Also you can look at digestion because if a person is not absorbing the nutrients correctly, due to whatever reason, that could also lead to more higher levels of pain perception in the body because they are not taking in the nutrients that would help dampen down the pain pathways.”

Mark Perloe, MD: “What nutrients specifically might be involved?”

Dian Mills, Cert. Ed., BA, Dip. ION, MA: “Ah, now this is interesting because there are lots of research papers on pain and nutrients. Vitamin C is an antihistamine so it can dampen histamine release. Vitamin E can help with pain because that will also help with histamine release and it also works as an antioxidant that can stop cell damage at the membrane if you’ve got free radical damage damaging the cell membrane, which could be weakening the cell membrane so that the endometriosis can attach. And the B vitamins, especially B1, B6 and B12 when taken in combination, work as well as any analgesic when they are in the right level in the body. 

Essential fatty acids, like omega-6 fatty acids from linseed oil and fish omega 3, evening primrose oil, borage oil, star flower oil front the six. What I find very interesting is that when people are eating a lot of processed foods they are taking in trans-fatty acids. That’s fats that have been hydrogenated and they’ve been changed in their shapes so they don’t lock into cells in the same way. Fats that are natural, the cis fatty acids have a horseshoe shape and lock into cell membranes and give them integrity. Whereas the trans fatty acids form just a kink shape and the cell membrane loses its integrity, Oils and magnesium are important at the cell membrane as they are seen from research to stop cancers attaching. So if you can change the balance to improve good cis oils and remove the bad trans oils from the diet it may be giving the cells more integrity. Also, if we think about this logically, all the hormones, so if you are using the correct oils and they’re being metabolized into prostaglandins series one and three, which are anti-inflammatory and you reduce the oils in dairy and meat which are pro-inflammatory, series two prostaglandins, you can possibly, or we see this happening, reduce pain levels. 

The other interesting thing that I found is that there has to be some mechanism with wheat with endometriosis. Wheat has been genetically modified and there are two hormones out of two, the genome. There is also problems with gluten sensitivity, and more people are becoming gluten sensitive and I find that when I’ve taken wheat out of the diet, in 80% of the women with endometriosis, their pain subsides.”

Mark Perloe, MD: “Fascinating.”

Dian Mills, Cert. Ed., BA, Dip. ION, MA: “And when they reintroduce the wheat the pain comes back.”

Mark Perloe, MD: “Is this all wheat flours? I mean are they, buckwheat, which is a protein, or whole wheat do you have it as much as the processed wheat?”

Dian Mills, Cert. Ed., BA, Dip. ION, MA: “Whole wheat, all wheat is a problem. Anything with wheat flour, like pastry cakes, pizza, pasta. Buckwheat isn’t wheat; that’s rhubarb family. That’s the same plant as rhubarb, so buckwheat isn’t wheat. That works in a different way. But there’s something different. I think there may be the hormones in the wheat or the phytic acid is locking up some of the minerals but certainly there seems to be some modality with wheat and endometriosis. It’s almost as though something within wheat is exacerbating the implant."

Mark Perloe, MD: “Some of us are going to get on a wheat-free diet. Would you just say try this for a period of time and see if it works?”

Dian Mills, Cert. Ed., BA, Dip. ION, MA: “Yes, I would say try it for two months. Don’t have anything with wheat in, modified starch, malto-dextrins, dextrins, rusk, you know anything like that, avoid. Rye, Ryvita, rye breads, rice cakes, rice, rice noodles, corn pasta and corn and rice pasta. Anything made with lentils, like popadoms; what else is there, minute buckwheat would be all right. You replace the wheat with other foods so that you are not lacking in any in any nutrients. Do that for 28-30 days alongside taking multi-vitamins and evening primrose and fish oil. Magnesium is helpful because that relaxes muscles in the uterus and the bowel. And also you may need to take a digestive enzyme and an acidophilus if you have digestion problems. And if you do that for a month and then challenge yourself with one slice of bread and see what symptoms recur over the next 24 hours. That’s quite a good way of looking at if you’ve got a food intolerance. You can do it with dairy foods as well. You will then know whether it is creating more pain and bloating, certainly abdominal boating can be reduced.”

For more about the book click here: A KEY TO HEALING THROUGH NUTRITION 

printed with permisission: www.endo-resolved.com

Controlled Diet for Endometriosis

Controlling your diet to help you deal with Endometriosis is an excellent starting point. As I have said earlier, we really are a reflection of what we eat, and the body responds very quickly to what is put inside it. Let me emphasise that point thus:

• Look how radically altered we become by too much alcohol - which can happen very quickly
• A Sumo wrestler is not born large - they eat themselves large
• Body builders do build up their bodies with power/weight lifting, but they also use a high protein diet to back it up
• Drink too much coffee and you have a caffeine rush
• Travel to another area and you may get upset by the change in water consumption
• When we are hungry, many of us suffer that awful drowsy blood sugar drop; eat something and we can pick up again very quickly

So the body is very sensitive to what is put in it, and sometimes that sensitivity is quick to show up. Unfortunately other sensitivities are not noticed and will creep up on us, which is when we suffer from dietary deficiencies and a lack of trace elements. There are times when our body gives us clues that we have a deficiency and we start to have cravings for certain types of foods.

The role of a controlled diet in Endometriosis management has proved exceedingly beneficial for many women. Some women have even been able to be totally symptom free with changes in diet. The plan of the endo diet is to relieve or prevent some of the disabling symptoms that occur with menstruation, as well as the general pain of endo. The goal is to decrease estrogen levels, stabilise hormones, increase energy, alleviate painful cramps and stabilize emotions.

Some women are achieving great health improvements by following a diet to address Candida yeast infection. By following the Candida diet these women are seeing improvements with their Endometriosis. There is speculation that there are links between Candida and Endometriosis.

A diet for Candida is very similar to a diet regime to help with Endometriosis, which is probably why these women are getting good results from a diet for Candida.
Lets start with pain and hormones in relation to diet..

Endometriosis is an estrogen-sensitive condition, but the painful menstrual cramping that occurs is predominantly due to prostaglandin synthesis in the body. Prostaglandins are naturally occurring fatty acids, which are derived from dietary sources. The body can produce different types of prostaglandins through a complex series of pathways.

There are the ‘good guys’ and the ‘bad guys’ of the prostaglandin group. The goal of a controlled diet is to block the ‘bad guys’ (PGF2a and PGE2) for their negative actions on the body and increase the ‘good guys’ (PGE1) for their opposite and beneficial actions. The action of the bad guys is to increase uterine contractions, and the good guys have a soothing effect. By changing the types of oils that are taken into the diet, the production of the good guys can be stimulated, which helps with uterine relaxation. These oils are composed of omega-3 acids, which lead to PGE1 production. Excellent sources of the omega-3 fatty acid producing oils are:

• evening primrose
• Safflower oil
• Walnut oil
• flax seeds/oil

It is also important to decrease intake of those fatty acids that will stimulate the bad guys which are found in saturated fats, butter, animal and organ meat, lard.

In addition to decreasing bad fat intake, the diet should also consist of high fibre. Not only does this help with good digestion, but it is also thought that a diet high in fibre can decrease total circulating estrogens. It is recommended to incorporate 25 grams per day of fibre. Good sources are:

• whole grains excluding wheat and rye
• beans, peas and pulses
• brown rice
• vegetable and fruits
• oatmeal

The following foods are recommended to modulate estrogen levels by incorporating one or two servings a day:

• mustard greens
• broccoli
• cabbage
• turnips

• wheat - this includes breads, cakes and pasta products, all based on wheat
• refined and concentrated carbohydrates
• sugar, in whatever form, including honey
• alcohol
• caffeine which is found in tea, coffee, soft drinks
• chocolate
• dairy produce including all milk and cheese
• fried food, margarine and hydrogenated fats
• soy products and soy protein - tamari can be used in small amounts
• tinned and frozen packaged foods as little as possible
• additives and preservatives
  Note: Meat, dairy and eggs promote the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.
  
  For a full explanation why you need to exclude most soy foods read here
  
  FOODS BENEFICIAL FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

• beans, peas, lentils
• onions
• garlic (raw or lightly cooked)
• carrots (contain beta-carotene)
• live yoghurt (good for healthy intestinal flora)
• rhubarb
• seeds and sprouted seeds
• ginger
• green tea

Foods containing natural plant sterols can be helpful. They are thought to block the estrogen receptors, so in turn excess estrogen in the body cannot ‘lock-in’ to these receptors. These include:

• peas, beans and pulses
• red and purple berries
• garlic
• apples
• parsley
• fennel
• brassicas: cabbage, cauliflower etc
• nuts and seeds
• celery, carrots
• rhubarb
• sage

Although the best source of vitamins and minerals is through a well balanced diet, many foods today are depleted in these vital trace elements. Today, most of us need to supplement our diet with some of the vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function optimally.

The following is a list of supplements that will help women with Endometriosis:

• Magnesium - is a mineral and is believed to ease cramping with menstruation
• Zinc - is essential for enzyme activity, helping cells to reproduce which will help with healing. Zinc is also reported to boost the immune system and helping to create an emotional sense of well-being
• Calcium - levels of calcium in menstruating women decrease 10 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation. Deficiency may lead to muscle cramps, headache or pelvic pain.
• Iron - women with Endometriosis tend to have very heavy periods which can lead to an iron deficiency. This can lead to anemia which is characterised by extreme fatigue and weakness. From Lori-Do not use iron unless on the advice of your Dr.-I suggest an herbal iron, but only if needed.
• B vitamins - these are important for the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the body. B vitamins are reported to improve the emotional symptoms of Endometriosis, and have proved helpful in dealing with PMT
• Vitamin C - is well known for helping to boost the immune system and help provide resistance to disease. It is also used in the body to build and maintain collagen within the body.
• Vitamin A - is another immune system booster
• Vitamin E - plays an important role by increasing oxygen carrying capacities and also strengthens the immune system
• Selenium - when taken together with vitamin E has been reported to decrease inflammation associated with Endometriosis, as well as immune system booster.

• Certain vegetables have substances that activate liver enzymes and help the liver to detoxify chemicals. This allows the liver to eliminate excess estrogen from the body more effectively. These vegetables include: broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts.
• Auto immune diseases are thought to be triggered by free- radicals in the body, which could be an added factor in Endometriosis. Free radicals are destructive molecules and are found naturally in the body but can be made worse by pollution, stress, illness and smoking. There are minerals and vitamins that will help to fight off these free-radicals because of their antioxidant properties, including: vitamins A,C,E, CoQ10, selenium, vitamin B complex, as well as specific supplements being sold specifically as Antioxidants.
• It is very common for women with Endometriosis to suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I used to suffer from it myself, and it took quite a while to define which foods would trigger it off. These triggers can vary from one woman to another. Even simple things like drinking a hot drink when it was too hot would trigger it off in me. You need to really pay attention as to what your own subtle triggers are, as well as which foods will set it off.
  
  TO SUM UP

• increase omega-3 fatty acids
• avoid meat, dairy products, wheat and sugar
• increase fibre
• modulate estrogen
• avoid caffeine and alcohol
• avoid refined foods, e-numbers, additives
• minimise or avoid soya products as they contain high levels of phytoestrogens, and soy contains a particular toxin which seems to be particularly detrimental for women with Endometriosis
• peel fruit and vegetables to remove toxic chemicals
• eat organic produce wherever possible
• drink lots of filtered or mineral water

If you are to change your diet to help deal with Endometriosis then there will be many changes in the foods you can and cannot eat.

As you can see by the advice above, there are many foods you are advised to leave out of your diet completely, especially if you are to reap the benefits.

These main foods are: meat, wheat and wheat products, sugar, dairy, caffeine, additives and all refined and convenience foods.

Your diet will be based mainly on: vegetables, pulses, beans, rice, fruit and fresh water

The prospect of adjusting your diet so radically may seem somewhat daunting. You may be wondering and concerned about:

• what on earth you are going to eat - mountains of plain vegetables, piles of fruit, gallons of plain water
• how do you have variety in your diet
• how do you find recipes which are still enjoyable and tasty, but still suitable fo a diet for Endometriosis
• how do you plan meals so that you do not become utterly bored with your diet
  Click here ... where you will find much more valuable advice about the diet for endometriosis and details of the book Recipes for the Endometiosis Diet from www.endo-resolved.com

Is all of this confusing to you? Is your head spinning? Need some Peace?
a great answer: PRAY, PRAY, PRAY-
see the prayer page.
http://www.theendoclub.com/prayers.htm