Endometriosis, Diet, and Healing Strategies

Cory River

You know, there's been a lot of talk lately about endometriosis. It’s one of those conditions that seems to be creeping into more and more lives, and not just for older women or those approaching motherhood. What’s surprising is how it’s affecting adolescents, teens really, and that alone challenges the standard factors we often hear about, like, oh, delayed childbirth or changes in family planning. So we’ve gotta ask ourselves... is there something deeper going on here?

Cory River

Now, let’s take a moment to really think about the nature of the pain that endometriosis causes. It’s not just discomfort. This is debilitating pain, the kind that can disrupt every aspect of daily living—work, relationships, even sleep. At its core, though, there’s a biological explanation. One key player in this drama? It’s something called prostaglandin E2. And prostaglandin E2, well, it’s a hormone that triggers muscle contractions, especially in the uterus, leading to those waves of pain many women describe as truly unbearable.

Cory River

Here's where it gets interesting. The levels of prostaglandin E2 are heavily influenced by arachidonic acid, a compound that, you might be surprised to hear, originates from an omega-6 fatty acid known as linoleic acid. This linoleic acid is found in so many of the vegetable oils that dominate our modern diets. Once it’s consumed, our bodies convert it into arachidonic acid, and boom, an inflammatory cascade begins, fueling pain and discomfort.

Cory River

But this connection between food and health is not new. In fact, ancient healing traditions, whether from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or even Japanese Kampo, have long recognized the link between dietary habits and inflammation. They didn't have terms like linoleic acid or prostaglandin E2, but they spoke of foods that 'heat' the body or disrupt balance in ways that, honestly, resonate with what we’re seeing in scientific findings now. Isn’t that remarkable?

Cory River

So, this interplay of diet, inflammation, and hormones raises a powerful question—not just about how we treat endometriosis but how we think about it. Is it possible that diet, something so fundamental, plays a bigger role than we’ve ever imagined?

Cory River

Let’s dive deeper into what we can call the four dietary culprits—or poisons, really—that seem to drive a lot of the inflammation and hormonal disruption at play in endometriosis. These are vegetable oils, dairy, sugars, and gluten. Now, it's tempting to think, "How much damage can these really do?” But when you break it down, the impact is surprisingly profound.

Cory River

Take vegetable oils, for instance. They’re everywhere—in fried foods, processed snacks, even salad dressings. These oils are packed with linoleic acid, which, as we discussed earlier, the body converts into arachidonic acid. And that? Well, it fuels the production of prostaglandin E2, leading to more inflammation and pain. It’s like adding logs to a fire you’re trying to put out.

Cory River

Then we have dairy. Now, dairy might not seem like an obvious contributor, but its dual nature makes it especially challenging. First, it’s a significant source of arachidonic acid, and second, it contains natural estrogens that can disrupt hormonal balance. When you combine these two factors, you’re essentially amplifying the very systems that exacerbate endometriosis symptoms.

Cory River

And sugary foods? They might feel comforting in the moment, but they come with a hefty price. Sugars, especially those in high fructose corn syrup, are linked to systemic inflammation throughout the body. With inflammation already heightened by prostaglandins and hormonal imbalances, every bit of sugar adds to the strain. You see how it starts to form this tangled web?

Cory River

What’s fascinating, though, is how often these ingredients show up in places we don’t even think about. Let’s take, say, those whipped cream toppings you see on coffee shop drinks. They might look harmless, even indulgent, but they’re typically made of vegetable oils, emulsifiers, and lots of sugar—a cocktail of the very poisons we’re talking about. It’s these hidden sources that can make all the difference in controlling symptoms.

Cory River

And here’s the hopeful part. There are women who’ve eliminated or reduced these ingredients and seen remarkable changes. I mean, we’re talking about less pain, shorter cycles, even reports of cysts shrinking or disappearing. It’s not just anecdotal, either. These stories align with what we know about inflammation and hormones—it just, it just clicks.

Cory River

So, what can we do to address this? I mean, really address it—not just manage the symptoms, but actually support the body in healing and finding, finding balance? It all starts with awareness and, honestly, a willingness to make changes, even small ones, that can have, well, ripple effects for our health.

Cory River

First, let’s talk about diet. Reducing or even eliminating foods high in linoleic acid—like those vegetable oils we mentioned—can be a game changer. Instead, oils like olive oil or even avocado oil, which have properties that are less inflammatory, can serve as nourishing alternatives. These choices allow the body to, you know, lower that chronic inflammatory response over time.

Cory River

Dairy is another area where, where mindfulness can really help. Opting for alternatives—like plant-based milks or yogurts without added sugars—can make such a difference. This doesn’t mean you have to cut out everything forever. It’s more about experimenting and observing, seeing how your body responds when you give it a break from these potential triggers.

Cory River

And sugar? Well, this one’s tricky because it’s everywhere, and, let’s face it, we’ve all felt the pull of a sweet treat during stressful times. But swapping out processed sweets for natural options, like fresh fruit, can satisfy that craving while supporting your body. And if you’re thinking about reducing sugar overall, even a small shift—like cutting back on those sugary drinks—can help recalibrate your system.

Cory River

Now, alongside these dietary strategies, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of self-care practices that bring balance to both mind and body. Practices like mindfulness meditation or gentle yoga don’t just soothe stress. They can actually influence the body’s inflammatory responses, fostering a sense of calm that extends, extends to the physical systems driving discomfort.

Cory River

What I find profound, though, is how these changes—simple yet intentional—create positive feedback loops. When pain decreases, you feel more motivated. And as motivation grows, it becomes easier to stick with these supportive habits. So, it’s less of a battle and more of a flow, you know?

Cory River

Ultimately, healing is about integration. It’s recognizing that what we choose to eat, how we nurture our mental health, and the moments we take to simply breathe—all of it matters. Endometriosis may be complex, but our approach doesn’t have to be. It starts with small, meaningful steps.

Cory River

And that’s all for today. I hope this episode sparked some ideas and maybe, just maybe, offered a new way to think about what’s possible. Until next time, be well and take care of yourself. You deserve it.