Happiful – August 2019

62 • happiful.com • August 2019

It’s estimated that

one in 10 women

of reproductive

age in the UK have

endometriosis

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

An anti-inflammatory green

smoothie could be a wonderful

addition to your diet, and help

those with endometriosis

symptoms. With smoothies, you

can have this daily, and simply

change up some of the fruit and

veg you add for a bit of variety!

Recipe:

• 1 cup of dark green vegetables
  (spinach, kale, or watercress)


• 1 cup of fruit (berries, mango)


• 1/2 an avocado or 1 tbsp ground
  flaxseeds


• 250ml dairy-free milk


• Powdered turmeric (or ginger)

Method:

• Choose either spinach, kale, or
  watercress, and add to a blender
  with the fruit, to sweeten.


• For a boost of fats, add 1/2 an
  avocado, or ground flaxseeds,
  which provide a hit of omega 3.


• Pour in 250ml dairy-free milk,
  or use water if you prefer. The
  more liquid you add the runnier
  it will be, so experiment with the
  consistency you like best.


• Add a pinch of ginger, or
  powdered turmeric. Blend it all
  together and enjoy!

the opportunity for the unwanted

recycling of oestrogen, and high

levels of oestrogen compared to

progesterone.

• Endometriosis and irritable
  bowel syndrome (IBS) seem to
  go hand-in-hand, with many
  women who have endometriosis
  reporting this. A recent study
  published in the European Journal
  of Obstetrics & Gynecology and
  Reproductive Biology found that
  IBS is five times higher in women
  with endometriosis, compared to
  women without endometriosis,
  prompting thoughts of a possible
  link.
  A bacterial imbalance in the gut
  can also impact the microbes and
  bacteria in the large intestine,
  small intestine and pelvic area.
  This could potentially cause
  inflammation that damages the
  cells and activates the immune
  cells in the body leading to a
  dysfunctional immune system,
  which is also a potential trigger.


• In the 1920s, Dr John
  Sampson believed ‘retrograde
  menstruation’ could be one
  explanation behind the condition.
  He believed that endometriosis
  could be caused by menstrual
  tissue flowing in reverse through
  the fallopian tubes, and landing
  on the pelvic organs where it may
  stay and grow.


• Another possible cause could
  be simply down to our genetic
  disposition – an individual might
  find their risk of developing
  endometriosis increases if it
  runs in the family. Additionally,
  hormonal developments like early
  puberty might be influenced by
  genetics.

HOW NUTRITION CAN HELP

Given the importance of

gut health, including the

detoxification of hormones

through the liver, it makes sense to

investigate how improving our gut

health could help to manage the

symptoms of endometriosis.

Because those with

endometriosis are likely to have

inflammation in the gut and pelvic

area, the emphasis is therefore on

an anti-inflammatory diet to help

with this.

This would mean eating oily

fish for their omega-3 content,

or seeds, nuts and avocados,

olive oil, colourful foods like

dark berries, carrots, sweet

potatoes, and leafy vegetables,

which provide vitamins and

minerals that help lower

inflammation and strengthen

our immune system.

Green tea, cinnamon, ginger,

and turmeric are also good

at helping the body to fight

inflammation. Cruciferous

vegetables like broccoli, kale, and

Swiss chard contain magnesium,

along with a compound called

indole-3-carbinol that assists

the body in healthy oestrogen

metabolism. Furthermore many

of these foods (also beans and

pulses) are rich in fibre, which

can all help to restore hormonal

imbalance.