Guest Post: Tania Tod discusses a recent medical study exploring dietary fat intake as a risk factor for endometriosis with a focus on trans-fat and omega-3 fatty acids.
Endometriosis is a debilitating medical condition in which the lining of the uterus, which is supposed to provide the environment in which a fertilized egg can implant itself, grows outside of the uterus. Endometriosis can affect the ovaries, the bowels and bladder, and the abdominal cavity. It can be extremely painful, and is a leading cause of infertility in women. Now, a new study brings some good news to women trying to conceive with endometriosis. It suggests that Omega 3 fatty acids could prevent and halt its development.
Alternative practitioners have been “prescribing” Omega 3 for all kinds of inflammatory diseases for decades. Could there be something to their logic? A new study from Brigham and Women’s hospital says there is. According to the study, those with diets rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are less likely to suffer from endometriosis.
It is not the total amount of fat that a woman consumes that matters, the study indicates, but the type of fat in her diet. Those whose diets contained the highest amounts of trans fats were found to be at a 48 percent increased risk of endometriosis, while those who consumed the largest amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids had 22 percent less chance to suffer from the condition.
The researchers made their conclusions on the basis of the Nurses’ Health Study II, which surveyed over 70,000 women. That is not a small sample which can lead only to speculative conclusions! If the conclusions of the Brigham and Women’s hospital study are true, these findings could benefit millions of women.
What fats should I avoid, and which foods are good sources of Omega 3?
Trans fats are unsaturated fats. They are man-made, using a process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil. Trans fats increase your “bad” cholesterol, and lowers HDL (“good” cholesterol). Nutritional labels in the United States mean that you are easily able to identify any trans fats in processed foods, just by reading the labels.
Omega 3 fatty acids are available as a supplement, but food sources are more easily absorbed by the body. Excellent sources of Omega 3 include oily fish like salmon and mackerel, all kinds of nuts, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.
This study certainly brings hope. But Omega 3 alone cannot cure endometriosis. If you have already been diagnosed, you might still benefit from eating foods like the ones listed above, you will also need medical help. If you are trying to get pregnant with endometriosis, an natural methods like using an ovulation calendar and charting to conceive might help you, but many women will still need fertility drugs like Clomid to get pregnant.
Tania Tod is a RN, who’s worked as a certified Personal Fitness and Aerobic Trainer for the past 9 years. As someone who’s trying to conceive, she also shares her experiences at her new blog aptly titled, “Trying To Conceive.”
Reference:
- 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.
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