Despite preconceived ideas, sugar consumption in France has remained stable in recent decades. However, sugar creates an addiction just as strong or even stronger according to some studies than drugs such as nicotine and heroin. It affects the same system in the brain, the opioid system. Like a drug, the more we use it, the more our body thinks it needs it.
Sugar and sweetened food products can interfere with the way white blood cells in the immune system remove debris. Reducing your consumption of these foods can have a direct beneficial impact on your immune system, but not only… This is what we will explore in this article.
Sugar and estrogens
Sugar increases the amount of fat cells, which increases estrogen production. The consumption of foods containing sugar leads to the production of insulin by the pancreas and can promote the increase of fat cells and, of course, weight gain. Fat cells produce an enzyme called aromatase, which produces small amounts of estrogen. Therefore, the more fat cells you have, the more estrogen you produce. A diet with excess sugar can be linked to hormone-dependent diseases such as breast cancer.
The intestine, our second brain.
Just like our brain, it too is impacted by sugar.
Sugar reduces the number of beneficial bacteria that live in the intestine. It therefore impacts the composition of our microbiota. As these bacteria are necessary for the absorption of nutrients from our diet, a diet rich in sugar can quickly lead to poor nutrition and vulnerability to intestinal problems. It hinders the absorption of the calcium, chromium and magnesium minerals we need for the proper functioning of the hormonal system and energy production. Chromium and magnesium are also essential to balance the amount of glucose in our system. Therefore, without these nutrients, we can suffer from a blood glucose problem called hypoglycemia, which can then lead to diabetes
Sugar and inflammation.
Sugar blocks the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, which actively promotes the inflammatory nature of endometriosis.
Conversely, an excess of glucose in the blood also promotes the production of prostaglandin 2 (PGE2), the chemical substance released by our immune system to cause inflammation.
Our immune system is not only responsible for fighting viruses and bad bacteria, it is also essential to the healing process. To do this, it releases a sophisticated cocktail of chemical substances called “prostaglandins” that increase or decrease inflammation. This inflammatory state is a natural protective mechanism to protect delicate tissues and organs from a threat that is considered physiologically abnormal and bad. This process uses a large amount of nutrients. He then uses these nutrients to heal damage and regulate inflammation.
However, sugar, like alcohol, is an anti-nutrient, which deprives the body of precious vitamins and minerals.
The link between sugar and the immune system
According to some studies, women with endometriosis have a weaker immune system, which can, however, be strengthened by a healthy and adapted lifestyle. We will come back to it in a few lines.
Natural “s killing” cells in the immune system would not function as effectively as they should; endometrial plates that should be considered “invaders” and destroyed by chemicals released by the immune system are not. Instead, they are left intact and migrate to other parts of the body, causing additional inflammation. It is therefore vitally important to support this system in order to control the inflammatory process.
Strengthen your immune system
This goes through 3 main pillars that are found in both naturopathy and yoga: the body, mind and emotions.
Spiritual food as food is key. The hormonal system and the immune system need a large number of nutrients, such as the B family (especially B6), vitamin C, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, methionine and vitamins A and E. If one of these nutrients is missing, it can compromise both your immune function and your reproductive system.
In case of deficits, be sure to choose food supplements that can be assimilated by the body, without excipients and without pro-inflammatory elements such as iron, copper or manganese (hence the importance of consulting your doctor in particular for iron supplementation).
Many people turn first to an anti-inflammatory diet. Be careful not to induce nutritional deficits that would cause dysfunction of your body and fatigue.
Fatigue is also an undervalued symptom of endometriosis. Just as sleep is too often forgotten in the management of endometriosis. We talk about it (too) little. However, sleep and endometriosis is a duo that can be very wise to consider and address if you want to reduce your endometriosis pain and suffer less from chronic exhaustion. This article honors sleep as a natural treatment for endometriosis!
Psycho-emotional management plays an essential role in the management of the disease and its symptoms.
In addition to movement, the creation of space in the pelvis, yoga is a wonderful practice to relieve endometriosis pain naturally and improve the well-being and quality of life of women with endometriosis.
Yoga is a wonderful complement to traditional hormonal and drug treatments as well as traditional medicines such as Chinese medicine (acupuncture), naturopathy or Ayurveda to relieve your pain and symptoms of endometriosis naturally, improve your quality of life and (re)live your life.
I have experienced it personally and observe it daily with the women I have the chance to accompany by transmitting them individualized tools from yoga and ayurveda.
And science says so too!
A recent scientific study on endometriosis reveals that yoga reduces pain and improves the quality of life of women who practice.
No wonder when women turn to yoga or professionals who can help them relieve their pain and symptoms naturally by natural methods such as yoga.
But is it suitable, should it be adapted and how?
For women with endometriosis or adenomyosis
I would be delighted to exchange with you by video about your background and needs. We will see together if holistic support can help you relieve your pain,
For yoga teachers, therapists, physiotherapists, osteopaths…
We were not taught this in our studies and training.
If the heart tells you, you have the opportunity to train and support 1 in 7 women with endometriosis to relieve their pain and improve their quality of life:
MASTERCLASS ENDO FLOW A series of 3 masterclasses dedicated to endometriosis for yoga teachers, wellness professionals or medical environment who wish to acquire the foundations to support with more confidence and women who suffer from endometriosis thanks to yoga tools.
ENDO FLOW TRAINING A 50-hour certifying yoga training dedicated to endometriosis and pelvic pain for yoga teachers, therapists and paramedical professionals to raise your expertise and career and confidently support women who suffer from endometriosis thanks to yoga tools.
References Nutritional aspects related to endometriosis, Gabriela Hal
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