Turmeric and ginger, folks - turmeric as an antioxidant to flush out toxins; ginger as an anti-inflammatory.

[lazylanc]

Cheap kitchen ingredients that are easy to take and no side effects...! Sure I won't be "allowed" to say this, but despite doctors saying causes of endometriosis still aren't fully known, or perhaps just agreed upon (retrograde menstruation one theory, for example) my research has shown two whopping big indicators - autoimmune issues, and hormonal imbalance. I certainly tick both boxes but can't get doctors to recognise or test for it. Books in my local library seem to have better information written 20/30yrs ago.....progress, what progess??

[esbjorn]

Hi

and don't forget natural aromatase inhibitors - button mushrooms and possibly green tea! To boost your immune system; oily fish (vitamin D), sunshine and carrots (and most veg & fruit generally of course but especially carrots). My staple diet for a bad flare up (if you can face eating anything): carrot soup & mushroom soup.

Anybody else have any kitchen staples to add?

A recent study in the US into another autoimmune disease; Rheumatoid Arthritis is more prevalent amongst women in those US states with a lower average of sunshine hours throughout the year. The difference was apparently clinically significant and the women had been followed over a number of years.

Do you have any particular books in respect of autoimmune disease or endometriosis you would recommend? (and yes I also have more than one autoimmune disease).

I've also heard turmeric is very good for you and have started using it more!

Take care

[lazylanc in reply to esbjorn]

Oh brill - ta for that! Glad I'm already on lots of carrots, but hadn't heard of button mushrooms...hopeless fungal fan so that's good news. As a newbie to this fantastic website, I've only realised that one book I've been delving in is already on here: endometriosis.org/resources.... Not a good reader so am finding it hard to read from A-Z to get proper overview, and the early chapters on endocrinology are fascinating but hard to digest and remember for novices. Since I was inappropriately directed to psychiatry last year - cos it's not a mental health issue, it's all about hormones! - there's Patrick Holford's "Optimum nutrition for the mind" if that's relevant to you. Also a great pioneer in the study of hormones, American John R Lee has written a series of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About...", which sounds alarmist but then it comes from the commercially driven culture of US medicine! He's done ones on Premenopause, Menopause and Breast Cancer - and is good at looking at natural versions of progesterone. Let you know if and when I've read it! All of that hasn't addressed your mentioning autoimmune, as I've not looked into that much at all - so if anyone else can shed some light? Or if you have any other food tips? Twould be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your response... E

[esbjorn]

Hi Emma

sorry for my very, very late THANK YOU. Great tips - thank you very much . Already on endometriosis.org but hadn't heard of the books/authors. Hope you are doing well. Still a bit up and down here but mushrooms and sunshine (at last) always help..