ASK BONNIE for June 2002

Question #1:

What do you suggest for Endometriosis?

Answer #1:

Endometriosis is a puzzling disease affecting women during their reproductive years, More than 5 million American women suffer from this disorder. In endometriosis, tissue that normally lines the cavity of the uterus appears in locations where it should not be (i.e., ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic cavity, bladder, stomach, and elsewhere).

Endometriosis may produce no symptoms or severe pain, especially during menstruation. Until recently, the cause of endometriosis was considered unknown. Now, many gynecologists believe that the disorder results from some abnormality of the immune system which allows uterine tissue to travel where it does not belong. The National Women's Health Network takes this suspicion further, relating it to a weakened immunity due to dioxin exposure (i.e., environmental pollutants including toxic waste, herbicides, pesticides, solvents, and organochlorines). Candidiasis (yeast overgrowth) can also be related to endometriosis, due to its suppression of the immune system and hormone imbalance properties.

Thus, building up the immune system through a compatible diet, dietary supplementation, and avoidance of harmful chemicals in your food, air, and water may help prevent or minimize the severity of the disease. I have counseled many former endometriosis sufferers who never saw the disorder reappear after laser surgery and building up their immune systems. Especially important are the following suggestions:

1. Avoid harmful food additives (dyes, hormone/antibiotic laden animal foods, nitrates/nitrites, preservatives, etc.)

2. Avoid chlorinated water

3. Eat a balanced diet of organic proteins/carbohydrates/fats.

4. Avoid caffeine, sugar, most dairy products, saturated fats, fried and fast food.

5. Eat more raw foods, especially fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

6. Take a natural supplement of 400-800IU to assist to assist hormone balance and to stimulate your immune system.

7. Take a B-Complex supplement, especially high in vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) to aid water balance, blood cell productivity, energy, stress reduction and hormone balance. 

8. Take low acid vitamin C (at least 1000 mg throughout the day) to assist in stimulating the immune system and healing process).

9. Take 200-400 mg of highly absorbable magnesium as a catalyst for 300 bodily functions including acid balance, stress relief, and hormone balance.

10. Take essential fatty acids (EFAs) of omega 3 especially (ideal ratio is 2:1 omega 6 to omega 3) fats for building immunity and total balance.

11. Consider doing dong quai, raspberry, ginseng and other herbs that assist female hormone balance.

12. If you suffer from a chronic yeast overgrowth, use antifungals and follow a yeast-free diet. 

Bonnie's favorite supplements for a healthy immune system and hormone balance:

Twinlab Allergy Fighters - take one after breakfast and one after dinner

Metagenics Mag Glycinate $19.95 no tax - take one before breakfast, dinner, and bed

Twinlab Daily One Caps (with iron) - take one after dinner 

Metagenics E Complex 1:1 (200IU) - take one after dinner

Metagenics EPA/DHA Complex - take two after breakfast

Women's Liberty Tea (Traditional Medicinals) - drink one cup daily

If not consuming at least 800 mg of calcium from food daily...
Metagenics Cal Apatite (with boron) - one before breakfast and bed.

Question #2:

I have chronic diverticulitis which flares up every few months. every doctor I talk to seems to have different and sometimes contradictory advice on diet both during and afterwards. What do I need to do to keep this under control?

Answer #2:

Diverticultis occurs from years of eating incompatible foods that have caused small holes (pouches) in the intestinal wall where food particles get stuck. The only way to reverse the process is to avoid incompatible foods (based on genetic predisposition, food sensitivities, and food allergies), and until the area heals, avoid irritants such as small products, nuts/seeds, raw fruits and vegetables, cow's milk, and acidic foods (orange juice, tomato sauce, coffee, etc.). Take a probiotic supplement to prevent infection in the "pouches," and zinc for healing.

When I have clients with flare-ups, they reduce their symptoms very quickly with weak tea, cream of rice, converted rice, applesauce, canned fruits in juices, squash, cooked carrots, soup made from organic chicken/turkey, onion, parsley, carrots, squash, water, salt and rice, and mild, well-cooked fish such as sole or tilapia seasoned with salt, garlic/onion powder, and parsley. When the symptoms subside, we gradually add back foods to check for tolerance.

Have a happy, healthy day.

Past Ask Bonnie entries: 1999 June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec,                                              2000 Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec                                  2001 Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec                                  2002 Feb, Mar, Apr, May

 

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