Want to Reduce Your Risk of Endometriosis? Eat Foods Rich in Omega-3
Endometriosis risk? More Omega 3-rich foods!
Omega 3 are once again allies for improving women’s health and wellbeing: those who consume foods rich in these fatty acids have a lower probability of developing endometriosis. This is demonstrated by a study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston (USA), whose results were published in the journal Human Reproduction1. According to the research, the effect of other fats is completely opposite. Women who consume many hydrogenated vegetable fats have a higher chance of developing this condition.
Causes and endometriosis, why act on diet
At the base of endometriosis onset is the growth of some cells of the uterine wall (the endometrium itself) on other organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the ovaries or the intestine. This disease affects about 10% of women and can become very disabling. Often the diagnosis of endometriosis is made late, around the age of 26. This situation can occur as early as the first menstruation. Like a normal endometrial cell, those growing outside the uterus also respond to the hormones regulating the menstrual cycle. This phenomenon can cause inflammation, pain, and infertility. The symptoms of endometriosis, painful, usually disappear during pregnancy. However, they can return as intensely as before at the end of the 9 months of gestation. The causes of the disease are still unknown. Likewise, the possible treatment methods are few. The use of painkillers is the only way to counter the discomfort. Beyond this, it is important to monitor the health status of the reproductive system to be able to face a pregnancy before the disease makes it impossible. Surgery is instead necessary to solve the problem. For this reason, acting on diet to prevent the onset of the disorder can represent a simple strategy to avoid having to intervene in a much more drastic way.
The role of Omega-3
The study published in Human Reproduction analyzed the incidence of endometriosis on the following sample: 70,000 women who between 1989 and 2001 filled out a questionnaire about their eating habits every 4 years. Among these women, 1,200 were diagnosed with the disease. However, the risk of endometriosis was reduced by 22% in those who preferred an Omega-3 rich diet. Women whose diet was rich in trans fats, such as those found in fried foods, margarine, and crackers, had a higher probability (48%) of developing the disease.
Preventing endometriosis: the role of diet
These results indicate that preferring a diet rich in Omega-3 can reduce the risk of endometriosis. A "good" diet based on Omega-3 includes tuna, salmon, mackerel, walnuts, and all other foods containing rich amounts of these valuable fatty acids.
Source:
1. Missmer SA, Chavarro JE, Malspeis S, Bertone-Johnson ER, Hornstein MD, Spiegelman D, Barbieri RL, Willett WC, Hankinson SE, “A prospective study of dietary fat consumption and endometriosis risk”, Hum Reprod. 2010 Jun;25(6):1528-35. Epub 2010 Mar 23.
