Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of endometriosis Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis involves ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and infertility. Validated and Promising Interventions include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Low Nickel Diet, and Metronidazole therapy.
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STOPs
STOPs
A STOP (Suggested Termination Of Practices) is a recommendation that advocates for the discontinuation of certain medical interventions, treatments, or practices based on emerging evidence indicating that these may be ineffective, harmful, or counterproductive in the management of specific conditions.
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Karen Pendergrass
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
What Was Studied
This study explored the potential link between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the risk of laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis. Using data collected from the Nurses’ Health Study II, the researchers analyzed dietary habits over a 22-year period, investigating whether certain food groups and nutrients influenced the likelihood of developing endometriosis.
Who Was Studied
Participants included premenopausal women aged 25–42 years who were enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II cohort. These women completed biennial surveys assessing health status, lifestyle factors, and dietary intake. Those with a history of endometriosis, cancer, infertility, or hysterectomy were excluded from the analysis, ensuring a focused evaluation of diet and disease development.
Most Important Findings
The study found an inverse relationship between fruit consumption, particularly citrus fruits, and the risk of endometriosis. Women who consumed citrus fruits frequently were less likely to develop endometriosis. Conversely, no significant association was found between total vegetable intake and the disease. Cruciferous vegetables, however, were unexpectedly linked to an increased risk. Beta-cryptoxanthin, a nutrient found in citrus fruits, appeared to play a protective role, and the beneficial effects of fruit consumption were especially notable among participants who had a history of smoking. These findings suggest a potential role for specific dietary components in either mitigating or exacerbating the risk of endometriosis.
Implications
The findings highlight the importance of dietary considerations in understanding endometriosis risk. The protective association of citrus fruits underscores the potential of targeted nutritional interventions to reduce risk. The increased risk observed with cruciferous vegetables raises questions about the role of gastrointestinal symptoms, as these vegetables are high in fermentable oligosaccharides, which could exacerbate symptoms and lead to increased diagnosis rates. Future studies exploring these dietary patterns in greater depth are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms and to guide dietary recommendations for those at risk.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis involves ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and infertility. Validated and Promising Interventions include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Low Nickel Diet, and Metronidazole therapy.