How Turmeric Can Help Endometriosis and Painful Periods

Are you one of many women who suffer with painful periods or have been diagnosed with Endometriosis? While there are a number of effective natural treatments that can help relieve pain, Turmeric is one of my favourites - as it may help relieve pain and inflammation, but also support other underlying issues that are typically involved.

There are a number or underlying factors that may be contributing to your painful periods or Endometriosis. These include -

• hormonal imbalances - most commonly involving high estrogens in relation to progesterone

• increased inflammation and oxidation

• digestive and/or bacteria imbalances

• altered immune response and possible auto-immune activity

• poor liver function which impairs removal of toxins and excess hormones

• dietary and lifestyle influences

Turmeric is one of the most researched plants and has been shown to have many actions related to these underlying factors - which may be why it can be so effective at relieving the pain of Endometriosis. Studies show that curcumin (the active constituent of Turmeric) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune modulating, antidepressant, anti-tumour, anti-growth or proliferative, gut healing and hormone regulating properties. What an amazing spice!

These actions may help to reduce excess growth of endometrial cells, support the liver in removing excess estrogens, reduce inflammation and support the immune system.

Turmeric is best absorbed with added lipids/fats - so look for a quality supplement in a lipid form. Black pepper has also been shown to improve absorption. If you are including turmeric in cooking, make sure to add some fats and pepper to your meal - such as cooking with ghee or coconut oil. You will likely need a supplement to reach an effective dose for treatment, but there are many health boosting reasons to include in your diet also!

Supplements can be increased around the painful days of your cycle. I commonly use a turmeric supplement which combines other great anti-inflammatory nutrients such as quercitin and herbs including Boswellia and Ginger. It’s likely you may need other support/supplements to relieve painful periods and Endometriosis, but turmeric can be a great place to start.

Other things you can include are more ginger in cooking or drink as a tea, increase herbs and spices in cooking (many of these have anti-inflammatory and health promoting properties, and add heaps of flavour to food!), limit or avoid dairy products (A2 dairy, and sheep/goat dairy can be easier to digest and less inflammatory) and include a variety of cruciferous vegetables and fibre.

These actions can also help to reduce inflammation, improve estrogen clearance from your body and reduce pain.

Please share this with other women who could benefit from this knowledge!

RESEARCH

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0753332217346838

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941414/

• https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/5/9183/htm

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

Endometriosis Treatment

If you've been diagnosed with Endometriosis or experience painful periods you can find relief with the right treatment!  An imbalance in hormones, immunity and inflammation are all possible contributors to the painful symptoms, and fortunately there are natural treatments that can improve these underlying imbalances and your symptoms.  

If you have been prescribed the Pill or Mirena for period pain, unfortunately these will not be resolving the underlying issues.  While they have a place in the short term and can help reduce pain, using other tools to resolve the underlying imbalances will offer you true long term relief from pain.

Here are my top three pointers for addressing Endometriosis - 

AUTO-IMMUNITY

Research indicates that Endometriosis may be an auto-immune condition, and if so this changes the treatment approach to rebalancing a haywire immune system rather than just looking at hormone levels.  A huge part of our immune system resides in our digestive tract, in particular our gut bacteria and the integrity or strength of our gut lining.  In auto-immune conditions the gut lining has become impaired or 'leaky', allowing substances to pass from our digestive tract to our bloodstream that normally wouldn't get through, and this sets off an immune response.

Auto-immune conditions can impact different body parts - such as Rheumatoid Arthitis (joints), Hashimotos (thyroid) or Multiple Sclerosis (nervous system), however they all have the same underlying issue - an immune system that has gone haywire.  These auto-immune conditions and leaky gut can develop over time from multiple factors including stress, antibiotics, antibacterial products, processed foods, sugars, alcohol and pesticides on food.

There are specific herbs and nutrients which can help improve gut integrity in addition to reducing or eliminating the above influences.  Glutamine, zinc carnosine, licorice, aloe vera, turmeric, slippery elm along with vitamin A and D are all important for gut integrity.  Including broths, slow cooked meals and fermented vegetables can also support gut health.  It's best to start slow if introducing fermented foods and if they upset your digestive system you may need to work on improving your gut health with a practitioner first.

TURMERIC

This amazing spice has many researched health properties which explain why it can significantly help with Endometriosis symptoms.  Turmeric can help reduce the inflammation, oxidation and cell proliferation involved in Endometriosis, along with supporting or moderating the immune system.  

If there are elevated levels of estrogens, turmeric may also help reduce these and support liver detox which is how your body removes excess hormones.  Look for a good quality supplement with either black pepper or with turmeric as a phospholipid/fat form for optimal absorption - Curcumin is the active component of Turmeric.  Some supplements also contain Boswellia or Ginger which are also great anti-inflammatory herbs and can also help reduce period pain.

HORMONAL IMBALANCE

Many women may develop hormonal imbalances over time especially in our modern stressful and chemical laden environments!  An imbalance between progesterone and estrogens can contribute to painful periods and Endometriosis.  Ongoing stress has a huge impact on other hormone levels, while chemicals in body care and plastics are known to disrupt hormone balance.  Use of the Pill can also contribute to hormonal imbalances.

Hormone levels can be assessed through saliva testing by a Naturopath and it is possible to return your hormones to a happy balance through supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes.  

One of the most effective supplements at improving estrogen levels is DIM or I-3-C for short - this compound is derived from broccoli and helps to metabolise and reduce excess estrogen.  Working on stress management and using herbs such as Rehmannia and Withania can help support your adrenals and reduce the impact of stress on your body and other hormones. Vitex or Chaste Tree can be helpful when progesterone is low.

You can also support your liver and digestive system to metabolise and remove excess hormones by including adequate quality protein, fats and a variety of vegetables and herbs - especially cruciferous (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts), garlic, onion, ginger, rosemary and turmeric.

If you suffer from painful periods or Endometriosis I'd love to help you address the underlying causes and find relief from pain.

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances, anxiety and fatigue.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.

Top 5 Foods For Happy Hormones

Hormones play a huge role in women's health and are used in the body to send messages and instructions to different tissues and organs.  Some of our major hormones include

• Progesterone, Estrogens and Testosterone

• Thyroid Hormones

• Cortisol and Adrenaline

• Insulin, Ghrelin and Leptin

These hormones influence many aspects of our health including

• Menstruation

• Fertility

• Energy

• Moods

• Weight Regulation

Our bodies love to be in balance or homeostasis and our hormones are no different.  When a hormone imbalance develops over time, this can lead to symptoms and disease.

The top 5 foods to support happy and balanced hormones are -

QUALITY FATS - such as olive and coconut oil (cold pressed), olives, coconut products, avocados and butter from grass fed cows.  Hormones are made from cholesterol and other lipids (fats) - which is one huge reason why low fat diets are a terrible idea for women!  

Although we have been told fats are bad for us for decades, the right fats are essential for optimal health - on both the inside and out!  Adding fats to your food helps you to absorb certain vitamins and minerals, helps to keep you full for longer, provides energy and supports youthful skin.  Processed vegetable oils in plastic packaging are the damaging fats you will want to avoid.

QUALITY PROTEIN - eggs from true free range chickens, wild fish, grass fed meats and poultry, legumes/nuts/seeds (if tolerated - cooked/soaked for easier digestion).  Most of these proteins will also include some fats, and help to build hormones.

FOODS TO SUPPORT GUT HEALTH - include a variety of colourful vegetables (spray free when possible) which contain fibre, slippery elm powder, chia seeds, flaxseed meal, hemp seeds/meal, prebiotics such as artichoke, asparagus, onions/leeks and garlic, and fermented vegetables (if tolerated).  Your digestive system helps to bind and eliminate excess hormones and ensures optimal absorption of nutrients for hormone production and use. 

FOODS TO SUPPORT YOUR LIVER - cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and brussels sprout.  These contain I-3-C (Indole 3 carbinol), a compound which helps to reduce excess estrogens and support hormone metabolism, for which the liver plays a large role.  Onions, garlic, rosemary and turmeric are also great for liver support.  

(Avoid eating a lot of raw cruciferous vegetables if you have an underactive thyroid).

SEAWEEDS - contain iodine and other minerals which are essential for hormones and tend to be lacking in many diets.  Seaweeds can easily be added to foods while cooking, or sprinkled on top or meals.

Two of the major foods to avoid or minimise are sugars and soy.  Some fermented organic soy products such as tempeh, miso and tamari are ok for most women, but too much soy in general can affect estrogen levels. Sugar increases your need for insulin, and constant intake will increase your risk of diabetes (and the many complications that come with that), increase weight and contribute to other hormonal imbalances.

Keep it simple by filling up on a variety of colourful vegetables (spray free when possible) and add enough fats and protein to keep you satisfied for a few hours.  This can differ between women and at different times in your life - so always take notice of how your body is feeling and what foods help you to feel your best.

If you have a significant hormone imbalance supplements can help to correct this, and then you can maintain hormone balance through diet and lifestyle. I would love to help you get your hormones back into balance so you can feel your best!

Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances and thyroid issues.  The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype.  You can contact Marion here.