Greetings!
I wanted to talk about vitamin and mineral deficiencies that are common among women with endometriosis. There are a variety of health issues that are incredibly common among this group such as we have higher rates of heart disease, depression, anxiety, gut issues, or even more likely to be allergic to so so so many foods!
Our liver is one of the big issues with endometriosis because doctors understand there is some type of hormone component impacting this chronic illness. If the liver is not functioning properly, then all of the toxins that are coming within our body are not being put away properly. The liver is the powerhouse that grabs what it needs to keep the body functioning healthily but when overloaded with toxins and stress, it goes into overdrive like anything else would. Imagine when your every day life, you are trying to maybe work, maybe be in school, maybe raise a child on top of it, cooking meals, doing shopping, paying bills, etc. Now, imagine that all 10 of your friends decide to put all of their emotional baggage on you, something that is not yours to take on and is now adding to the stress that you are already have. This is the liver and many of our livers are struggling because of the foods we consume, our exposure to pesticides and other oestrogen disrupters that are now in our every day lives. It's hard and it's complicated but all we can do is try to do our best to get our bodies to the way they were supposed operate. This a physical component, definitely, but this also has to do with our mind and soul.
Below are a list from the book, Alternatives for Women with Endometriosis, that discuss the important vitamins and minerals for those that are diagnosed with endometriosis!
1. Vitamin A, B, C & E
Foods that can deplete the body of Vitamin B complex (B-1, B-2, B-3, & B-6) include refined sugars, fats, caffeine, salt, alcohol and processed foods. Another thing that is known to deplete the essential B vitamins is hormonal birth control which is an interesting point to look at as many of us go on the pill or get the IUD, etc. to help with our pains however, that same thing that is help eliminating the pain is really just adding to the damage put onto the liver causing the issue to arise in the first place. Vitamin B-6 is especially important because when we have the proper amounts in our body, research has shown that are bodies are producing good prostaglandins! Prostaglandins are what causes our uterus to contract along with other muscles yet, when we have bad prostaglandins or we have to much then this can lead to over contraction thus, giving us things like painful cramps! The B-complex's strengthen the immune system, prevent fluid retention, deal with fatigue, and increase your enegery.
Vitamin A & C help by making our periods much higher and boost our immune system, which we need so dearly. Vitamin C is also known for minimising scarring and inflammation.
Vitamin E is great for breaking down oestrogen when their is way too much in our system (liver support!). It keeps scar tissue flexible and soft and has the capability of minimising scar tissue and adhesions.
2. Get Your Minerals
Minerals important for reducing cramping are magnesium, calcium, potation, zinc and selenium. Magnesium helps by increasing the calcium absorption within our systems and helps our bodies produce good prostaglandins. Calcium keeps our muscles toned, potassium regulates muscle contraction, and selenium and zinc strengthen the immune system.
3. Surprise! Let's touch on your gut flora while we are here
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a good intestinal bacteria that helps the body maintain normal levels of intestinal flora. If we have imbalances of this in the body, we can deal with things like an excess growth of candida or diarrhoea. Actually, a common thing we are given that so easily by doctors now is antibiotics which are often prescribed for yeast infections, destroy the gut flora that we actually need. This is when we have to start supplementing to get the food bacteria back into our gut or using natural methods to heal these infections instead! This bacteria specially helps with digestive issues, restore the acid-base balance in a woman's reproductive system that has been changed by hormones.
I hope that you all enjoyed this! I personally take a probiotic to help with my gut flora because my gut has been off the chain for years and years, I take magnesium, vitamin D, and a women's daily vitamin to keep up with my vitamin and mineral intake. Do you take anything to help with your endometriosis? Comment below!
Thanks for reading! And remember, Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Beastly.
Xoxo,
Moonli
Editor: Carol, R. (1994) Alternatives for Women with Endometriosis. Chicago: Third Side Press.
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