Dietary fats linked to endometriosis
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Research based on the Nurses' Health Study II has shown that certain types of dietary fats may increase the risk of endometriosis, while other types are associated with a lower risk. The study analysed 12 years of data, which equated to 568,153 person-years. Nearly 1200 cases of diagnosed endometriosis occurred over this time.
The women who consumed the most long-chain omega-3 fatty acids were 22 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis compared to the women who consumed the least. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are the "good" fats found in oily fish and are associated with maintaining cardiovascular health.
Conversely, those women who consumed the most trans-unsaturated fat were 48 per cent more likely to develop endometriosis than those who consumed the least. Trans-unsaturated fats are commonly found in deep-fried foods, some take-away foods and baked goods such as pastries, cakes and biscuits.
The authors of the study suggest that increasing long-chain omega-3 fatty acids intake and decreasing trans-unsaturated fats intake could reduce a women's risk of developing endometriosis, potentially making it the first indentified modifiable risk factor.
According to Jean Hailes gynaecologist Dr Elizabeth Farrell, "Women who have an unhealthy weight are more likely to have more oestrogen, which if they have a tendency to endometriosis would stimulate growth of the endometriosis cells. Avoiding animal fats and trans-unsaturated fats and having more omega-3 fatty acids is important for health and wellbeing. This is an interesting observational study showing once again that healthy eating with appropriate foods/oils may have a positive effect on an illness or reduce its risk. More research however is needed to see how dietary oils may affect endometriosis cells."
Content updated May 4, 2010
www.jeanhailes.org.au
The women who consumed the most long-chain omega-3 fatty acids were 22 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis compared to the women who consumed the least. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are the "good" fats found in oily fish and are associated with maintaining cardiovascular health.
Conversely, those women who consumed the most trans-unsaturated fat were 48 per cent more likely to develop endometriosis than those who consumed the least. Trans-unsaturated fats are commonly found in deep-fried foods, some take-away foods and baked goods such as pastries, cakes and biscuits.
The authors of the study suggest that increasing long-chain omega-3 fatty acids intake and decreasing trans-unsaturated fats intake could reduce a women's risk of developing endometriosis, potentially making it the first indentified modifiable risk factor.
According to Jean Hailes gynaecologist Dr Elizabeth Farrell, "Women who have an unhealthy weight are more likely to have more oestrogen, which if they have a tendency to endometriosis would stimulate growth of the endometriosis cells. Avoiding animal fats and trans-unsaturated fats and having more omega-3 fatty acids is important for health and wellbeing. This is an interesting observational study showing once again that healthy eating with appropriate foods/oils may have a positive effect on an illness or reduce its risk. More research however is needed to see how dietary oils may affect endometriosis cells."
Content updated May 4, 2010
www.jeanhailes.org.au
