Fruits and veggies: a natural aid for endometriosis

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A recent study has brought some good news for women suffering from endometriosis, a painful condition affecting millions.

Researchers have discovered that flavonoids, compounds found in various fruits and vegetables, might help reduce the symptoms of this disease.

The study, published in the journal Endocrinology, sheds light on how flavonoids can help fight inflammation, a key factor in endometriosis.

This condition occurs when cells similar to those lining the uterus start growing elsewhere in the body, causing inflammation and pain. Sadly, there’s no cure yet, but these findings offer some hope.

Flavonoids are not new to the scientific world. They are known for their health benefits, like fighting cancer, reducing inflammation, and even acting against viruses. However, exactly how they work has been a bit of a puzzle.

Stephen Safe, a professor at Texas A&M University, explains, “People who eat more fruits and veggies tend to live longer and are less likely to get many diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”

His research now adds endometriosis to this list. Eating foods rich in flavonoids could lower the risk of developing endometriosis or at least ease the symptoms.

Some of these flavonoid-rich foods include broccoli, berries, onions, and even red wine. Safe’s expertise in developing cancer drugs helped in this discovery.

His lab studies specific cell receptors related to inflammation, which is crucial in treating endometriosis. They found that more than 20 flavonoids affect these inflammation-regulating receptors.

Two flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, were especially effective. You can find them in apples, broccoli, berries, tea, onions, and red wine. These seem to be the most promising for helping with endometriosis symptoms.

However, Safe cautions against rushing to buy flavonoid supplements. More research is needed before they can be recommended as a treatment.

The best way to get these benefits, for now, is through your diet. Eating flavonoid-rich foods is more effective than taking supplements occasionally.

This discovery is a step towards developing better treatments for endometriosis. But for now, it seems that adding more flavonoid-rich foods to your diet is the way to go. This finding isn’t just about endometriosis; it’s a reminder of the powerful health benefits of fruits and vegetables.

If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.

For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.

The research findings can be found in the journal Endocrinology.

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