Michael Vernon - Endometriosis - A Key to Healing Through Nutrition

Thorsons

An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain in 1999 by Element Books Limited This edition published by Thorsons 2002

Copyright © Dian Shepperson Mills and Michael Vernon 1999

Text illustrations: Janice Sharp

Photography: R.S.A. Photography Ltd

Note: the information contained in this book is true and complete to the best of the authors’ knowledge and is given for the purpose of helping people who suspect or know that they suffer from endometriosis. This book is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical treatment. The ultimate decision concerning care should be between you and your doctor. The information in this book is general and is offered with no guarantees on the part of the authors or Element Books. The authors and Publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

Dian Shepperson Mills and Michael Vernon assert the moral right to be identified as the authors of this work

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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Source ISBN: 9780007133109

Ebook Edition © JANUARY 2017 ISBN: 9780007386420

Version: 2017-01-24

Praise for

Endometriosis:

A Key to Healing and Fertility Through Nutrition

‘Many women with endometriosis have found that nutrition can play a major role in overcoming some of the most debilitating effects of the disease. Dian Mills has studied the role of nutrition in treating endometriosis and, together with Michael Vernon, has made this information available in an understandable and compassionate way in this very helpful book.’

Mary Lou Ballweg, President

INTERNATIONAL ENDOMETRIOSIS ASSOCIATION

‘The book is simple, easy to comprehend and will be embraced by a large majority, particularly those afflicted with endometriosis. It will be essential reading for scientists and the general public interested directly or indirectly in endometriosis.’

Dr O A Odukoya

DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY

JESSOP HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN SHEFFIELD

‘Endometriosis has an effect on all aspects of the life of a woman who suffers from this debilitating and perplexing condition. Modern medicine has made great strides in bringing help and relief to many women. Unfortunately, to date, there is still no known cure.

‘During my years as Chair to the NES it became obvious that women are more than willing to help themselves. Regrettably, the tools to do this have been few and far between. With the publication of this book women will now have the opportunity to try to help themselves without resorting to powerful drugs and/or surgery, or to use the information as complementary alongside orthodox medicine. I welcome a book that will give women a choice.’

Diane Carlton, SRN, D/N Cert

SENIOR PRACTICE NURSE

CHAIR TO THE NATIONAL

ENDOMETRIOSIS SOCIETY 1983–97,

FOUNDER AND CHAIR OF THE SHE TRUST

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Praise

Foreword

1 What’s happening to me?

2 How endometriosis affects your body

3 Ovaries, ovarian cysts and syndrome X

4 Coping with the pain of endometriosis

5 Why is my fertility threatened?

6 Many treatments, few cures?

7 The holistic approach to endometriosis

8 The nervous system and low moods

9 Strengthening the immune system

10 Digestion and the reproductive system

11 Nutrition for endometriosis and fertility

12 Food – the best choice for health

13 Furthering research: let’s find the cure

14 Colour the body healthy: key steps to recovery

15 The keys to wellness are in your hands

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

References

Glossary

Recommended reading

Useful addresses

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

About the Publisher

I would like to emphasize maternity as the frontier of human welfare and that the defence of mothers is the defence of nations. There is no place in the public health field that offers greater opportunity for service to mankind and the welfare of the human race than the application of newer and ever increasing knowledge of nutrition at the human frontier.

Ina May Hobbler, 1952

This human body, at peace with itself, is more precious than the rarest gem. Cherish your body, it is yours for this one time only. The human form is won with difficulty; it is easy to lose. All worldly things are brief, like lightning in the sky. This life you must know was the tiny splash of a raindrop. A thing of beauty that passes away even as it comes into being. Therefore set your goal, and make every day and night a time to obtain it.

Lama Tsong Khapa

14th century Tibetan scholar and yogi

Nuchi gusui – may your food and lifestyle heal.

The Okinawa Way Book

If you try, you might. If you don’t, you won’t.

W Pickles

Women with endometriosis commonly complain that doctors do not take their symptoms seriously. There is a feeling that if doctors did listen and if only doctors knew more about endometriosis, women would not have to suffer years of pain without a definitive diagnosis. The frustration is justified as recent research has shown that it usually takes about ten years from the onset of symptoms for the diagnosis to be made.

I think that this apparent indifference to symptoms, such as painful periods and painful sex, merely reflects the lack of interest shown by society in general to health problems that are specific to women. I also think that sufferers themselves should be trying to raise awareness about endometriosis among both the medical profession and the general public. Endometriosis should be as well known as asthma or diabetes given how many women it affects and how much misery it creates.

The principal problem, however, is that not enough is known about the condition. Despite over 20 years of intensive research, we still do not understand what causes endometriosis; why there is such discrepancy between the intensity of symptoms and the severity of disease, or how best to treat patients. When doctors struggle in the dark because they do not comprehend a condition, it is inevitable that patients will receive care that they perceive to be unsatisfactory.