Want to decrease your risk of endometriosis? Eat foods rich in omega-3

Endometriosis risk? More foods rich in Omega 3!

Omega 3 once again allies in improving women's health and well-being: those who consume foods rich in these fatty acids are less likely to developendometriosis. This is shown by a study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston (United States), the results of which were published in the journal Human ^{Reproduction1}. According to the research, the effect of other fats is totally opposite. Women who introduce a lot of hydrogenated vegetable fats are more likely to develop this condition.

Causes andndometriosis, why to act on nutrition

At the root of the onset of endometriosis is the growth of certain cells in the wall of the uterus (the endometrium, in fact) on other organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the ovaries or intestines. This disease affects about 10 percent of women ratta of a disease and can become very disabling. Often the diagnosis of endometriosis is made late, around the age of 26. This can occur as early as the first menstruation. Like a normal endometrial cell, those growing outside the uterus also respond to the action of hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. This phenomenon can cause inflammation, pain and infertility. The painful symptoms of endometriosis usually fade during pregnancy. However, they can return as intense as before at the end of 9 months of gestation. The causes of the disease are still unknown. Likewise, possible methods of treatment are few. Theuse of painkillers is the only way to counteract the discomfort. In addition to this, it is important to monitor the health of thereproductive system so that a pregnancy can be addressed before the disease makes it impossible. On the other hand, surgery is necessary to solve the problem. Therefore, acting on nutrition to prevent the onset of the disorder can be a simple strategy to avoid having to take much more drastic action.

The Role of Omega-3s

The study published in Human Reproduction analyzed the incidence of endometriosis on the following sample: 70,000 women who completed a questionnaire about their eating habits every 4 years between 1989 and 2001. Of these women, 1,200 were diagnosed with the disease. However, the risk of endometriosis was found to be reduced by 22% in those who preferred adiet rich in Omega-3. Women whose diets were high in trans fats, such as those found in fried foods, margarine, and crackers, were more likely (48 percent) to develop the disease.

Preventing endometriosis: the role of diet

These results indicate that preferring a diet rich in Omega-3 may reduce the risk of endometriosis. A "good" Omega-3 diet consists of tuna, salmon, mackerel, nuts and all other foods that contain rich doses 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.