Functional Nutrition and Endometriosis

Presenting EndoSummit2019's Lunch and learn at the Endometriosis Summit will be Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC Founder of the Integrative Women’s Health Institute, is passionate about empowering women who struggle with chronic pelvic pain conditions and hormonal imbalances, and female athletes, and supporting women’s health and wellness professionals globally.
She writes: As a functional nutritionist, once I have a clear diagnosis for my patient of endometriosis, the patient has decided for or against surgery, or I suspect endometriosis but it has yet to be diagnosed or ruled out, I take a very systematic approach to optimizing her digestive, immune, endocrine, nervous, and musculoskeletal physiologic systems with the goal of eliminating her pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.
We begin by optimizing her digestion.  Without optimal digestive FUNCTION, it doesn’t matter what food plan a patient is on or what supplements she takes since none of the nutrition therapies can be well absorbed.  Also, since gastrointestinal issues can overlap with endometriosis, making the pain worse, it’s important to relieve diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or other gastrointestinal symptoms.  It’s important to optimize stomach acidity, digestive enzyme function, intestinal permeability, and to create a healthy gut microbiota environment in the colon, and eradicate small intestinal bacterial or fungal overgrowth (SIBO or SIFO.)
Then, we address immune function, with a focus on reducing inflammation, and eliminating exposure to food sensitivities or allergies (including celiac disease.) Optimizing the function of the intestinal barrier (aka healing “leaky gut”) is a key component to optimizing the functioning of the interface between the digestive and immune systems.  Optimal immune function can not be restored until the intestinal epithelial barrier is healthy.
Often, women who have struggled with the pain and fatigue of endometriosis for a long time, have compromised mitochondrial function.  Thus, antioxidant support, sleep support, and giving appropriate exercise and recovery recommendations is key. 
Plus, if the brain is inflamed, or neurodegeneration begins due to inflammation, reduced blood flow or anemia, or dysglycemia are an issue, it’s important to support optimal brain function.  This can be done with sleep strategies like getting enough daylight exposure (without sunglasses), turning off all blue light screens by 8pm, eating an antioxidant rich diet, and taking antioxidant supplements.
Finally, optimal hormone balance and support of the liver to appropriately metabolize estrogen is key to reducing the symptoms of endometriosis.
There are a number of food plans, nutrient supplements, and herbs that can support the optimal functioning of all of these systems, but first we need to understand exactly how this specific woman is depleted and what she is eating or doing that could be contributing to her inflammation, toxic load, leaky gut, or other systems compromises.
Thus, begin with an elimination diet.  We have created a evidence-based pelvic pain relief assessment elimination diet for our clients that lightens the load on the digestive and immune systems, adds anti-inflammatory and mitochondria-supporting nutrients, is simple to cook, and tastes delicious. 
Register to see Jessica at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-endometriosis-summit-patient-practitioner-town-meeting-tickets-52736747030?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete
Follow Jessica Drummond http://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com 
Twitter: @jessrdrummond
Facebook: @IntegrativePelvicHealth
Instagram: @integrativewomenshealth

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