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Being on the no-milk mailing list I was curious if there was a connection between dairy and endometriosis. So I asked. I did get three responses. For the originals see: Searchable Archives of Mailing List Posts
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 21:21:05 -0500
Sender: Milk/Casein/Lactose-Free List
From: Don Wiss
Subject: Endometriosis

In looking at some past posts I noted that Dan Twogood mentioned a connection between endometriosis and dairy. I am interested in learning more about this connection. For example, has anybody out there had success controlling their endo with a dairy-free diet?
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 1997 07:24:52 -0600
Sender: Milk/Casein/Lactose-Free List
From: Dawn
Subject: Re: Endometriosis

Don Wiss wrote:

> For example, has anybody out there had success controlling their
>endo with a dairy-free diet?

YES! :) And not just "controlling" it completely but totally eliminating it! And since endometriosis can cause infertility for women and is often treated with a hysterectomy, kind of sad that nutrition therapy isn't the first approach in medicine. For ten years I struggled with it and nearly gave in to the pressure to have a hysterectomy like the rest of the women in my family ("Its all a matter of genetics, dear"). After going dairy-free for 3 years I no longer have any problems at all, and in fact just gave birth in July to my son--something a few years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of being possible. Don if you are looking for more info on this, John Robbins (of the Baskin Robbins family) wrote a bit about it in his book Reclaiming Our Health. Robbins rejected the family business and is a strong advocate for living dairy free. Kind of says something to me that a man who's family fortunes are in the ice cream/dairy business would be one of the strongest advocates for a dairy free life style.
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 1997 10:39:45 PST
Sender: Milk/Casein/Lactose-Free List
From: Lynda
Subject: Endometriosis

It is important to distinguish the difference between controlling the *progression* of endometriosis and controlling the *symptoms* of endometriosis. There is no information which supports anything regarding the control of endometriosis *progression* with dietary modification. And, since endometriosis can only be assessed by surgery (laparoscopy, for example), one cannot presume that dietary modification truly "improves" the progression endometriosis unless surgery is done to show that.

However, dairy products are sources of fatty acids that can make the body produce series 2 prostaglandins which are associated with endometriosis pain. So, by eliminating dairy products, one can reduce the amount of series 2 prostaglandins the body produces, which results in improvement of pain symptoms.

So, the answer is twofold: yes, restriction of dairy products can help reduce the pain symptoms of endometriosis. When this approach is supplemented with sources of essential fatty acids in foods like fish oils and seed and nut oils, it can work even better at reducing the pain associated with endometriosis. But the progression of endometriosis is unlikely to be affected by restriction of dairy products.
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 08:15:48 -0800
Sender: Milk/Casein/Lactose-Free List
From: Dan Twogood
Subject: Re: Endometriosis

> >>In looking at some past posts I noted that Dan Twogood mentioned a
> connection between endometriosis and dairy. I am interested in learning
> more about this connection. For example, has anybody out there had success
> controlling their endo with a diary-free diet?<<

> ...So, the answer is twofold: yes, restriction of dairy products can help reduce
> the pain symptoms of endometriosis. When this approach is supplemented with
> sources of essential fatty acids in foods like fish oils and seed and nut oils, it can
> work even better at reducing the pain associated with endometriosis. But
> the progression of endometriosis is unlikely to be affected by restriction of
> dairy products.
>
> Lynda

I disagree.
That "answer" comes from the mentality that disease is something that just happens because of, I don't know, genetic weaknesses, or just because. People who think this way (most doctors) are vehement about defending the notion that dietary manipulation may help, but won't solve any health problems.

I'm sorry, but I totally disagree. I have seen the "symptoms" of endometriosis go away many times. I have seen infertile women give birth after dairy foods were eliminated. To tell a patient "you're really not better, you just seem that way," is habit based on theory, no proof, and shows the extreme attachment to dogma. To say that "it is unlikely that the progression of the disease will change" is consistent with that medical practice of dashing all hope. I believe in the opposite--ALWAYS give hope. The progression of endometriosis WILL stop, and I'm probably right.

To suggest supplements goes further in the direction of error, in my opinion. Disease is not to due to the lack of anything in this country. Disease is due to excess. Treatment is elimination, not addition.

But my philisophy is, if it doesn't hurt, go ahead. So take fish and nut oils if you want. Take supplements if you want. Eliminate all dairy foods if you want. None of it is harmful, and all of it may help. But for us intellectual types (or whatever we are) to sit here and say this absolutely won't help, or this CAN'T be, or this is unlikely to help,is foolishness.

Doctors for years said you can't reverse heart disease, but Dean Ornish has shown that you CAN. You CAN, you CAN, you CAN.

Please stop saying you can't when you don't know. Don't say maybe not, say maybe. Don't say it's unlikely, say maybe. Give hope.

So the bottom line in this post is that dairy foods cause endometriosis, and the elimination of dairy foods will eliminate endometriosis (if the damage has not become irreversible.

Daniel A. Twogood, D.C.