Which Dietary Supplements are beneficial in Managing Endometriosis
Dietary supplements are frequently suggested for endometriosis, and there are even specialized vitamin and mineral supplements available. Do nutritional supplements have a role in addressing endometriosis, and if they do, which specific should you consider using?
What Exactly are Dietary Supplements?
Dietary supplements, often abbreviated as NHS (Nutritional and Herbal Supplements), are products comprising specific nutrients like vitamins, minerals, or trace elements. These nutrients are presented in concentrated or isolated forms, available in various forms such as (effervescent) tablets, powders, capsules, and more. Additionally, dietary supplements encompass plant and individual nutrients like protein powder.
Dietary Supplements are not Universally Essential
This holds true if you are in good health and maintain consistent eating habits. However, women grappling with endometriosis are not in an optimal health state. Does it not become logical to consider dietary supplements? Not necessarily. In theory, even amidst endometriosis, it is plausible to obtain all required nutrients, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and secondary plant compounds through a well-balanced, healthy diet. Yet, exceptions do exist to every rule.
Who Can Benefit from Dietary Supplements?
Certain scenarios warrant the usefulness and health benefits of dietary supplements:
- Women aspiring to conceive or those who are already pregnant should consider incorporating folic acid supplements [1].
- Pregnant women specifically require additional iron and iodine, which can be supplemented through dietary supplements during pregnancy.
- Individuals who lack exposure to sunlight or have limited outdoor activities, leading to insufficient skin UV exposure, may need to take vitamin D supplements. This mainly pertains to those who spend excessive time indoors.
- Competitive athletes and certain individuals with chronic illnesses encounter heightened nutritional demands that cannot be met through a standard diet due to intensified stress or metabolic conditions. In these well-defined cases, specific dietary supplements are necessary. However, endometriosis does not fall within these conditions.
- Individuals following a vegan diet often struggle to absorb adequate vitamin B12 solely from their food intake. Despite claims made in various “vegan” literature or counterarguments presented online, scientific evidence unequivocally demonstrates that the quantity of vitamin B12 obtained from vegan sources falls short over the long term.
- For vegetarians who exclude fish from their diet and, particularly for vegans, the consumption of specific omega-3 fatty acids (DHA & EPA) becomes crucial, These can be sourced from red algae or through capsules derived from red algae or fish oil. Contrary to misconceptions, there are no vegetable oils that encompass all omega-3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA are classified as essential, implying that the body cannot produce them and their presence is vital.
Furthermore, addressing proven deficiencies due to other causes is essential. This can be diagnosed through a medical evaluation. Many of these vitamins and trace elements bear significance in functions that relate to inflammation or even directly impact endometriosis. Whenever possible, however, sourcing these nutrients from a regular diet is preferable. Dietary supplements should be considered only when diet alone cannot meet the requirements.
Potential Health Risks of Dietary Supplements
While the idea of “more is better” might apply to vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, it is essential to recognize that overconsumption of these seemingly health-promoting substances can be perilous. Here are a few instances:
- An excessive intake of magnesium can trigger diarrhea and result in muscle weakness and lowered blood pressure.
- An abundance of calcium has the potential to induce irregular heartbeats and even lead to heart attacks [3].
- Vitamin A, when ingested in excessive amounts, can cause visual disturbances and other symptoms of poisoning, potentially resulting in fatalities [2].
- Surprisingly, an excessive intake of vitamin D can have a reverse effect: rather than aiding calcium storage in bones, it can lead to calcium dissolution. The calcium leached from bones can subsequently cause harm to organs.
These illustrative examples of vitamins and minerals, frequently consumed through effervescent tablets or multivitamin supplements, underscore a critical point: even readily available dietary supplements can inflict substantial harm to your body!
Is it Beneficial to Use Dietary Supplements for Endometriosis?
In a nutshell: generally not. This holds true unless you fall within specific exceptions, such as being pregnant or expecting a pregnancy, being an athlete engaged in competitive sports, avoiding outdoor activities, or abstaining from the consumption of both sea fish and red algae.
As of now, there is no conclusive evidence that synthetically produced or isolated vitamins, minerals, or trace elements can be assimilated by the body to the same degree as they would be in their natural interplay with elements like secondary plant compounds present in whole foods. Consequently, the money spent on various supplements might not yield the intended positive outcomes, and the potential risks could outweigh the benefits [4]. This notion extends to isolated components like resveratrol (more on this here) and phytoestrogens as well.
A well-balanced, healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from certified organic cultivation is capable of meeting all your nutritional requirements – even in the context of endometriosis. It is advisable to conserve funds that might otherwise be spent on dietary supplements and instead channel those resources into adopting a nourishing diet featuring organically cultivated food.
References
After a move to France, I opened my own practice for nutritional counseling and was part of the permanent team of a rehabilitation center to support people on their way back to everyday life after accidents or serious operations with the right, healthy nutrition for them.
13 years later, a change of location back to Germany provided a new occupation: since 2014, I have been writing full-time about nutritional medical topics in health magazines, on online blogs and websites, among other things.
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