Endometriosis - The red meat debate


endometriosis and red meat


There seem to be varying points of view as to whether red meat should be omitted from the diet to help with endometriosis.  There are always two sides to a story and some say that eating grass-fed red meat is OK with endometriosis, especially as those with endometriosis tend to suffer from low iron due to heavy periods.

However, there are numerous research articles that have found when women eat more red meat and processed meat, they tend to have a higher incidence of endometriosis.  Additionally, there is powerful evidence and feedback from those with endometriosis, who say they feel so much better when they stop eating red meat.


There are various favourable arguments to stopping red meat when dealing with endometriosis and inflammation which include:


  • Red meat can increase negative prostaglandins which are responsible for muscle cramping, uterine cramping, pain signals and inflammation.
  • Red meat can increase levels of estrogen
  • Additionally, meat contains natural estrogens, and can increase your own natural estrogens
  • Processed red meats are particularly harmful and commonly contains sodium, nitrates, phosphates and other food additives. 
  • Factory-farmed meats are high in certain endocrine disruptors and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
  • There is little evidence to show that grass-fed meat is better for your estrogen levels. Cattle that are raised and fed as being grass-fed can still be given hay, haylage, silage and crop residue (which is open to speculation), so grass-fed cattle may not be as squeaky clean as promoted.
  • Grass-fed beef is no longer regulated by governments in most countries and fake grass-fed meat is now entering the market.
  • On top of that, most of the grass-fed beef sold at Walmart (USA) and other major chains is imported from Australia, Uruguay or other countries, but may still be labelled product of the USA.  This begs the question, how is meat from another country to be regulated?  75% to 80% of grass-fed beef sold in the U.S. comes from abroad, according to reports.
  • Due to the increased cost of raising cattle as grass-fed, the price of the meat can be as much as 70% higher, which encourages the market to be flooded with fake grass-fed meat.


Commercial meat issues:

  • Current commercial farming and manufacturing practices in non-organic red meat can be full of hormones including estrogen, antibiotics and unwanted chemicals.
  • Processed red meats are particularly harmful and commonly contains sodium, nitrates, phosphates and other food additives. 
  • Factory-farmed meats are high in certain endocrine disruptors and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).


Many with endometriosis tend to eat red meat due to suffering enema caused by heavy periods.  There are other food sources of iron including: Cashew nuts, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, oats, quinoa, spinach, dark chocolate, blackstrap molasses, lentils, chickpeas, and kale.

The foods with the highest iron content are sesame seeds, oats, cashews, lentils, hemp seeds - in that order.

Do not forget that you can also use an iron supplement and your doctor can advise on a product and which dose to use.  The only problem with iron supplements is they can cause constipation but if you add magnesium to your diet (which you should anyway) then this can help to lessen the constipation problem.

The take-away to this advice – if you can guarantee that the meat you purchase is organic grass-fed beef AND it causes you no problems with symptoms of pain or triggering a flare, then maybe you are lucky. You need to be feeding your body with nutritious food but you do not want to be feeding your endometriosis.

For those who do have problems, which can be discovered by eliminating red meat from your diet for a while and then reintroducing it, then stopping red meat is obviously the best solution.  You will probably still be able to eat white meat like chicken and turkey, as well as plenty of fish options. You will find a detailed breakdown of implementing diet changes to help reduce your endometriosis symptoms here.


https://endometriosisnews.com/2018/06/26/higher-endometriosis-risk-linked-red-meat-study/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29870739/

https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/19/8/1755/2356458

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3374872/


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About the Author

Hi, I am Carolyn Levett, the Founder here at endo-resolved - I am an Integrative Health Coach having studied nutrition, naturopathy and aromatherapy as well as being a published author of three endometriosis books. I used to suffer from severe endometriosis and was fortunate to be able to regained my health and recover from this disease with the support of nutrition, natural therapies and lots of determination.

My motivation is to help other women with endometriosis to heal their bodies so they may start to overcome this awful disease without having to totally rely on toxic drugs and surgeries which can cause further damage  -  with healing thoughts, Carolyn.