Any recommendations of vitamins / foods t... - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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Any recommendations of vitamins / foods to help with endo pains?

MID123 profile image
10 Replies

Does anyone have any experience trying different vitamins or natural remedies for endo pains? Or diets that have worked for them - food to cut out or eat more?

Over the years I have cut out gluten, red meat, dairy etc from my diet but nothing has made any difference... so I’ve gone back to eating normally. Although I do eat a lot of broccoli and cauliflower, I read online they are good for replacing iron.

I have also tried taking probiotics but they made me really quite ill.

If anyone has tried anything that they recommend I would appreciate hearing from you ! X

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MID123 profile image
MID123
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Alexandra0206 profile image
Alexandra0206

Hi, Iv changed my diet recently and after a lot of research I take an Estrogen metaboliser, Tumeric (amazing anti inflammatory) Selenium, magnesium and 5HTP - this is like a natural anti depressant and has really helped me to stay as upbeat as possible.

The book ‘Heal Endometriosis Naturally’ by Wendy K Laidlaw is full of amazing tips for diet / supplements and how to weed out the toxins and estrogen mimickers in what we put in and on our bodies every day. I’ve replaced all of my cosmetics to try to go as pure and natural as possible too after reading that common parabens are known endocrine disrupters.

Figured what have I got to loose and it makes me feel like I’m doing something positive ☺️ Hope some of this helps you, good luck Xxx

MID123 profile image
MID123 in reply to Alexandra0206

Oh that’s interesting. I hope you don’t mind me asking, do you buy those yourself or are they prescribed?

Yes that’s just what I need. Although I’ve had endo for years and have learnt a lot to help there is still so much I don’t know!

Thank you for your message x

Alexandra0206 profile image
Alexandra0206 in reply to MID123

I buy them, the only thing the doctors want to prescribe is painkillers - nothing to try to address the root of the problem. Iv had some success with homeopathy too, again the focus it to try to address the body’s over production which simplified is what endo is. Doctors can be so depressing with their ‘chronic’ and ‘recurring’ and ‘it’s not known why’ I was determined to try different things rather than just accept that it will always come back and there’s nothing anyone can do! The more research I do the more I’m convinced there are a lot of things we can do to try to treat the cause rather than just the symptoms Xxx

MID123 profile image
MID123 in reply to Alexandra0206

I feel exactly the same, that’s why I wanted to ask what other people have tried. My doctors haven’t seemed to know a great deal about it and don’t seem to care really so it is up to us to research and find treatment for ourselves that suit our needs!

Thank you for your advice, I’m just looking into them now! I’ve thought about homeopathy in the past so I might give it a go ! X

EndoJaz profile image
EndoJaz

I have chia seeds, flax seeds and take psyllium husks for constipation issues, they really help. Just eat a healthy diet with lots of veg and colour, less red meat, bad fats and dairy. Lentils are great. Good luck, we r in an impossible situation with Drs not acting fast enough and leaving us at the bottom of the pile. x

StefaniaJW profile image
StefaniaJW

1) Cutting out meat is very, very wrong. You need to switch to grass-fed meat or game, which you can eat once or twice a week. Two servings of in-season veggies should accompany every serving of meat.

2) Taking probiotics (unless you've recently taken antibiotics or had severe diarrhea) can often cause more harm than good because it can lead to a prevalence of certain bacterial strains in your gut over others, impair gut bacteria variety and therefore health. DO NOT TAKE PROBIOTICS unless prescribed please.

3) You need to start eating 3-4 portions a week of omega-s rich fish (freshly caught) such as salmon, sardines, mackerel or such. Lots of veggies (at least 3 portions a day, both cooked and raw). Lots of fresh, in-season fruit. Some seeds are ok (e.g. chia seeds). Whole grains and those gluten free (e.g. corn, rice, quinoa) are good too.

Use coconut oil to cook and extra virgin olive oil raw on veggies and meat or fish.

Drink green tea instead of coffee. Drink plenty of water. Sleep at least 9 hours per night.

3) As far as supplements go, you will need (per day): 300-375 mg of magnesium, 10 mg of zinc, 55 mcg of selenium, 1,4 mg of vitamin B6, 300-400 mcg of folic acid, 2,5 mcg of vitamin B12, 1,4 mg of vitamin B2 or riboflavin (optional) and 12 mg of vitamin E (optional, do not take everyday). Vitamin C can be good too but I'd focus on stronger antioxidants such as astaxanthin or pycnogenol.

Vitamin D is also a great anti-inflammatory vitamin that helps modulate the immune system, makes the nails stronger, skin less dry and in general helps with autoimmune or immune-related disease. Most women with endometriosis lack it so I'd suggest getting it checked out with a doctor and getting a prescription for a supplement.

4) Overall, I think you might have more serious underlying issues such as leaky gut, SIBO, enzyme deficiency or food intollerances. I would look into these with a great nutritionist.

Everything starts from gut imbalances, endometriosis included :)

Best of luck!

h_grahh profile image
h_grahh in reply to StefaniaJW

It's so nice to see proper nutritional information given!

Just a note about supplements - generally people don't need supplements unless they're deficient and specifically prescribed them by a doctor. More often than not the supplement you're taking is far more than you need and it just gets excreted out of the body. If you think you're deficient go and see a dr for a blood test or similar and go from there. Even if you are deficient, most of the time you can manage this just through diet. Supplements are often overpriced and unnesseccary.

MID123 profile image
MID123 in reply to h_grahh

Yes, I’ve been tested for a lot of things - deficiencies and intolerances - all negative. The pains I get are mostly endo related I think so I’m looking for nutrition info to help with that mostly.

I’m a student so trying to find something other than supplements that might help because, as you said, they are quite expensive!!

StefaniaJW profile image
StefaniaJW in reply to MID123

Also, check out healendo.com for THE BEST nutritional advice when it comes to endometriosis, endo-belly, inflammation, digestive issues, ecc..

MID123 profile image
MID123 in reply to StefaniaJW

That’s great information thank you for your message! I will look into some of those!

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