Endometriosis: A Key to Healing Through Nutrition. Michael Vernon

take in too many anti-nutrients (such as coffee, chocolate, alcohol, refined sugars, fizzy pop and cigarettes), if we are surrounded by pollution (lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminium, food additives, pesticides and fungicides), or eat processed foods low in essential minerals (such as zinc, magnesium, manganese, chromium and selenium) and essential fatty acids, then it becomes more difficult for our poor bodies to cope.

      FREE OXIDIZING RADICALS

      Alex Comfort, the gerontologist, says ‘FoRs are highly reactive chemical agents that will combine with anything that is around – like conference delegates.’ To add insult to injury, ‘free radical damage’ to the cell membrane could be another problem. Free oxidizing radicals (FoRs) occur naturally in the body and are formed when glucose is burned to produce energy. Free oxidizing radical means that the molecules are incomplete; they have an electron missing, giving them an uneven, negative electric charge. As a result, the FoRs will rush around the body like mad things trying to steal an electron from an already complete molecule in order to make themselves whole.

      However, changes in our diets and the environment have also caused an increase in the number of free radicals produced. FoRs are present in burnt food, fried food, sunshine, smog, industrial factory fumes, pesticides, tobacco smoke, upholstery and carpet treatments, barbecued food, and chemicals used in the building and paint trade. The high levels of FoRs can cause the body to become overwhelmed so that it can no longer make them all safe.

      FoRs can cause injury, inflammation and mayhem to cell membranes, collagen (the building block of all human tissue) and to the DNA in the nucleus. Wherever they have been, they leave behind a compound which has been denatured and can no longer function as it should. For example, proteins are rather like tight curly hair; once they have been denatured, the proteins uncurl and lose their power. Protein-based hormones, such as oxytocin and prolactin, can be damaged in this way. The FoRs also damage the fats and oils in our bodies, including those oils making up the cell membrane, the steroid hormones, prostaglandins and the immune cells of the lymphatic system. All this thieving of electrons causes a domino effect, cascading through localized tissues and causing untold damage, as the cell loses control of its internal and external biochemistry.

      FoRs cause damage in four main areas:

      1 Double bonds and DNA. FoRs love the double bonds of DNA molecules and are attracted to them because of the electrons they contain. If DNA function is impaired it can no longer reproduce itself faithfully. Cellular mutations may occur, and the production of new enzymes, hormones and proteins can become faulty.

      2 Immune cells. Because immune cells are so complex, they are susceptible to FoR damage. If the immune cells are damaged by FoRs they can no longer identify and attack invading ‘aliens’ effectively, thus leaving our body tissues open to more damage than would normally have taken place. This damage may lead cells to attack ‘self’ tissue as in auto-immune diseases, which could be the case in endometriosis.

      3 Cell membranes. The cell membrane is made up of lipids (oils) and the FoRs attack the lipids’ double bonds allowing harmful chemicals into the cell that may damage its working. Arachodonic acid from animal fats may trigger the cell walls to secrete prostaglandins which cause a proinflammatory reaction in the surrounding area, as happens with endometriotic implants.

      4 Proteins. These are most susceptible to free radical damage. Once the electrons have been stolen from proteins they lose all their normal activity. This is very serious as all protein-based hormones, such as oxytocin, relaxin, inhibin and prolactin, and enzymes suffer irreparable damage. Collagen (the substance which holds cells together) is affected and wrinkles in skin can result. Skin and internal mucous membranes age more rapidly.

      The question is, therefore, how to reduce the amount of damage caused by FoRs?

      There are several enzymes in the body which exist in order to ‘mop up’ FoRs:

      1 Super oxide dismutase (SOD) releases an electron to neutralize the FoR. For SOD to work, it needs regular supplies of copper, zinc and manganese from the diet. SOD forms part of a vital collection of genes which influence the repair of damaged DNA.

      2 Glutathione peroxidase neutralizes FoRs by giving them an electron and stopping the damage before it begins. The amount of glutathione peroxidase present in the body is entirely dependent upon our absorption of selenium and vitamin B2 (riboflavin).

      3 Catalase can only work when iron is present in sufficient quantity. It is an enzyme which plays an important role in the body’s metabolism and it also neutralizes the effects of FoRs.

       Antioxidants

      Antioxidants are specific nutrients which can disarm the FoRs by adding an electron to the FoR and balancing the electric charge. The best-known antioxidants are vitamins A, C and E, and the mineral selenium. But coenzyme Q10, Quercetin (a flavinoid, see Glossary), and the amino acids taurine, glutathione and cysteine are also involved. Other substances which help support antioxidant activity are copper, manganese, iron, sodium and the vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, para-amino benzoic acid, choline and inositol. If our digestive systems are poor at absorbing these vital nutrients or our diets do not contain them in sufficient quantities, then we will sustain more FoR damage to our cells.

      Does this mean that the damaged cell membranes may be prone to developing endometriosis? We don’t know. More research is needed, but we can try to protect ourselves through our diet.

       SUMMARY

      1 The menstrual cycle is a complex mixture of interactions between the pituitary, the ovaries and the uterus.

      2 The pituitary secretes the hormones FSH and LH which stimulate the ovary to produce mature eggs and steroid hormones (oestrogen and progesterone). The ovarian steroids, in turn, prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy by stimulating the uterine endometrium to become a lush tissue that secretes the nutrients required by a developing embryo.

      3 Endometriosis is a disease that is characterized by the presence of uterine endometrium in areas outside of the uterus, primarily within the abdomen. These rogue patches of endometrial tissue are known as endometriotic implants.

      4 Endometriotic implants interfere with the menstrual cycle in a subtle fashion that is not fully understood. But they can lead to pain and infertility in some women. The hormonal messages get mixed up in endometriosis.

      5 Weakened cell membranes may make it easier for endometriotic implants to take hold.

      6 Magnesium and natural cis-vegetable and fish oils are known to improve the integrity of cell membranes, which may prevent the endometriotic implants from sticking like ‘Velcro’.

      7 By reducing free radical damage the cell membrane may sustain less injury. Antioxidants such as selenium and vitamins A, C and E help to disarm free radicals. (A daily portion of fruit and vegetables will help to improve the dietary intake of these.)

      8 Optimum nutrition and a healthy digestive system help to ensure that all cells work efficiently.

      You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

       Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi, 1869–1948

3 Ovaries, ovarian cysts and syndrome X

      To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.

       Jose Ortega y Gasset

      The ovary is a complex organ that works on a cyclic pattern to secrete hormones and mature existing ova, ripening them ready for release at ovulation. They react to the monthly hormone cycle that is dependent upon the release of hormones in the brain – from the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. In most women, this cycle just continues normally month in and month out, year in and year out, from teen years to the early 50s. Puberty usually begins at around the age of 13 to 14. In the 19th century, this was around the age of 17 years. In modern Western society, the onset is becoming earlier and earlier – many girls