Meat Linked To Endometriosis

Simply eating less meat may help to lower the risks of endometriosis and infertility new studies in a top reproductive medicine journal(1) have found. For women trying to conceive it is great news that something as simple as a change of diet could reduce the risks of endometriosis, and reduce endometriosis recurrence after laparoscopic surgery.

Endometriosis is known to affect approximately one in twenty women and is a leading cause of infertility. It’s a complicated disorder that has many of the hallmarks of both auto-immune disease and chronic inflammatory diseases. Animal fats have long been known to increase inflammation in the body and this may be one of the mechanisms by which red meat increases endometriosis risk.

When endometriosis has been removed laparoscopically it tends to grow back sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Understanding the triggers for endometriosis can help women to extend the fertile window after surgery.

Red meat seems to be especially connected to increased endometriosis risks - the more you eat, the more your risk increases, especially beef and ham. Other studies have discovered that the more omega-3 fats women consume - such as those found in salmon, pumpkin seed, walnuts and flaxseeds - the more they lessen their risks of having the disease.

Adding fish oil supplements to your diet can fast-track the benefits of diet change on endometriosis, allowing for a speedy infusion of anti-inflammatory fats to start reducing inflammation fast.

The lead researcher Dr Fabio Parazzini of the study (1) explained that:

"...for those with a high intake of beef, other red meat and ham, there was an increase of about 80-100 percent in relative risk."

This is a huge risk increase for one dietary item. If you have endometriosis you may benefit from exploring vegan cook books and using beans, lentils and nuts - along with oily fish - as primary protein sources.

If you do eat meat, choose grass-fed beef which has been entirely pasture fed, this form of meat has a much more favorable fatty acid profile than meat from grain and growth hormone fed animals. Similarly, wild salmon has a much better fatty acid content that farmed fish which is also high in contaminants such as PCBs. Stick to wild fish.

If you are choosing a fish oil choose wisely, many brands are cleaned of mercury and other common contaminants and processed very carefully to avoid rancidity. A fish oil that smells or tastes unpleasant is probably rancid.

You can make the transition to a low-meat or meat-free diet gently. Chili and hot pots are a great way to begin using less meat and more legumes and vegetables without the transition seeming to dramatic. Meat free eating can be delicious and inexpensive when you have had a bit of practice and have found a few dishes that you love.

References:

[1] Selected food intake and risk of endometriosis. Human Reproduction. (2004) 19 8: 1755-1759 Parazzini et al.