The big campaign to have more Omega’s in our diet is certainly out there and everywhere you look, someone is suggesting that we should include these “essential” oils in our diet. In most cases, it is suggested that we couldn’t possibly get them through our diet and hence having to now explore supplements or taking the oil in it’s liquid form.
When it comes to Endometriosis, there are two things we basically need to appreciate about oils.
Omega 3 oils are of huge benefit to us. The main reason is that Omega 3 oils reduce inflammation, clotting and the typical responses by the “bad” prostaglandins in the body. Please read this article to understand Prostaglandins a little better: http://www.cureendometriosis.com/endometriosis-pain-bodies-pain-message/
Unsaturated oils are terrible for us. These are the highly processed vegetable oils, margarines, soy oil, corn oil and even homogenized milk. They dramatically lower our immune system, cause hormone imbalances and aging. – none of which we want to add to the burden of endo healing!
So, what should we do?
Replace all your cooking/vegetable oils with Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. These both withstand heat well and will actually reduce inflammation in the body. (especially coconut oil). You can certainly use the more elaborate oils like Avocado Oil, Macadamia Nut oils, Almond Oils etc as salad dressings but only in small quantities and never heated.
Find a good source of Omega 3 Oil.
Here’s the information I have found:
There are various sources of Omega 3 Oil. The main ones suggested are Flaxseed Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Pumpkins Seeds, Walnuts and Oily Fish.
Initially I was actually going to make this blog post about Flaxseed oil and was totally convinced that this was the best oil for us endo girls. I dug a little deeper.
Flaxseed contains plant based Omega 3’s. According to Dr.Mercola only a small percentage of EPA and DHA is actually converted by the body from Flaxseed oil. He illustrates that high volumes of ALA, which is what is found in Flaxseed oil can increase the risk of cancers. It has also been proven that Flaxseed oil is often found to be rancid. Rancid oils in the body are basically toxic on the body.
So, I thought okay, that doesn’t sound good, perhaps I should just eat enough Omega 3 for my body. The best sources of Omega 3 is from oily fish such as Salmon. Unfortunately, these are the same fish that often contain high amounts of mercury and other toxins they have absorbed from our waters. Most of the fish we buy are also bread for consumption. What that means is that they are fed on corn or grains, which are high in Omega 6. These are inflammatory. This means, the only way we can get Omega 3 from fish, is if the fish are caught wild. I don’t know about you, but fishing is certainly not one of my favourite pass-times, so I might need to try and find a local fisherman to help me with that one! In the meantime, I will eat heaps of Pumpkin Seeds, Chia Seeds and Walnuts. Even better if we sprout them! Eating heaps of sea based plants are great sources too – like Seaweed. Here is an article I did which explains the inflammatory response in the body.
The thing is, with endo, we kinda want to consume a high quantity of Omega 3, so the good prostaglandins have all they need, especially over that time of the month!
Please watch this video, from Dr Mercola which explains heaps more about oils and Omega 3’s.
So, it seems the best source is actually animal based Omega 3 Oils. Our bodies convert those the best and we get the right levels of EPA and DHA. The best source seems to be Cod Liver Oil or Krill Oil – you can order through the link if you live in the US. I have struggled to find Krill Oil here in New Zealand, so I have started taking Cod Liver Oil, in liquid form. It has lemon included in it, which makes it easier to swallow.
I know many of you swear by Flaxseed oil and I would love to hear your thoughts on all of this. It seems to be a topic of great controversy….
Chia seeds are also a brilliant source of Omega 3, even better than flaxseed (or linseed, as it’s also known).
That is really interesting info about farmed fish being fed grain based foods, I will have to be more aware of that when I next go shopping for salmon.
Melissa
3 wks, 3 days ago
Yeah I had no idea of how this actually lands up in our tummies! Hence why fish and chicken may also cause inflammatory reactions in us!
Adina
3 wks ago
I take Green Pastures fermented CLO. Some people don’t like the taste but I don’t think it’s bad. I also eat wild caught salmon and fish eggs weekly. Interestingly Grass fed beef contains more Omega 3 fatty acids than Farmed fish. It is a function of what they eat. Wild Salmon eat smaller fish who eat sea plants (high in Omega 3) and this concentrates the Omega 3 fats in the salmon like you said this is the problem with farmed fish fed corn and soy. Like wise Grass fed beef have a good about of Omega 3 fats because it’s in what they eat. Industrial raised cows are fed a lot of corn and soy.
I would say that there are no “bad” prostaglandins it’s a function of balance. I understand where you are coming from my body is riddled with out of control inflammation, but like most things regarding health it is about balance. Our bodies need to be able to inflame and also to anti-inflame. I know it’s just semantics but I think as a society we tend to put things into good and bad categories when balance is the key. Love your blog and your research and am grateful for all the work you do.
Melissa
3 wks ago
Hi Adina,
Yeah, it is kinda wrong to call them bad prostaglandins. I guess when we handle inflammation everyday we begin to perceive it negatively
Where do you live that you can get Wild Salmon? I struggle to find it here in New Zealand.
My pleasure and thanks for sharing!
Adina
2 wks, 6 days ago
Melissa
I am lucky that I live in Washington State so I am able to get wild caught Alaskan Salmon for a very good price all the time. I guess I often take this for granted. If I was any kind of fisherman (woman) I could go down to the river in the summer and catch my own as they are coming into spawn. I did have some generous co-workers with these skills that shared with me this last year.
Melissa
2 wks, 5 days ago
That is awesome! Maybe I should come and visit Alaska Sounds like a wonderful thing to do!
Hey Melissa! Yep, flaxseed and flaxseed oil have amazing effects on the body.
I am a total flaxseed oil ‘nut’ and have a website all about its health benefits.
Flaxseed contains essential fatty acids, fiber, protein, cancer fighting lignans and a whole host of vitamins and minerals. It really is amazing stuff and can prevent and treat a number of medical conditions.
I have it every day and have so much energy. Also since I started taking it, my previous joints pains have totally gone.
Sarah
Melissa
2 wks, 1 day ago
Hi Sarah,
I have read that too! Unfortunately, it is also highly Oestrogenic which is not a good thing if you suffer from Endometriosis or any womanly conditions. The health benefits are mainly on Omega 3 oils, which we can get from other sources like Chia Seeds (much more stable and keeps for up to 3years in a jar!) and the others that I have mentioned in the article. I guess it depends on what you are struggling with and what you are seeking to heal.
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8 Responses
Chia seeds are also a brilliant source of Omega 3, even better than flaxseed (or linseed, as it’s also known).
That is really interesting info about farmed fish being fed grain based foods, I will have to be more aware of that when I next go shopping for salmon.
Yeah I had no idea of how this actually lands up in our tummies! Hence why fish and chicken may also cause inflammatory reactions in us!
I take Green Pastures fermented CLO. Some people don’t like the taste but I don’t think it’s bad. I also eat wild caught salmon and fish eggs weekly. Interestingly Grass fed beef contains more Omega 3 fatty acids than Farmed fish. It is a function of what they eat. Wild Salmon eat smaller fish who eat sea plants (high in Omega 3) and this concentrates the Omega 3 fats in the salmon like you said this is the problem with farmed fish fed corn and soy. Like wise Grass fed beef have a good about of Omega 3 fats because it’s in what they eat. Industrial raised cows are fed a lot of corn and soy.
I would say that there are no “bad” prostaglandins it’s a function of balance. I understand where you are coming from my body is riddled with out of control inflammation, but like most things regarding health it is about balance. Our bodies need to be able to inflame and also to anti-inflame. I know it’s just semantics but I think as a society we tend to put things into good and bad categories when balance is the key. Love your blog and your research and am grateful for all the work you do.
Hi Adina,
Yeah, it is kinda wrong to call them bad prostaglandins. I guess when we handle inflammation everyday we begin to perceive it negatively
Where do you live that you can get Wild Salmon? I struggle to find it here in New Zealand.
My pleasure and thanks for sharing!
Melissa
I am lucky that I live in Washington State so I am able to get wild caught Alaskan Salmon for a very good price all the time. I guess I often take this for granted. If I was any kind of fisherman (woman) I could go down to the river in the summer and catch my own as they are coming into spawn. I did have some generous co-workers with these skills that shared with me this last year.
That is awesome! Maybe I should come and visit Alaska
Sounds like a wonderful thing to do!
Hey Melissa! Yep, flaxseed and flaxseed oil have amazing effects on the body.
I am a total flaxseed oil ‘nut’ and have a website all about its health benefits.
Flaxseed contains essential fatty acids, fiber, protein, cancer fighting lignans and a whole host of vitamins and minerals. It really is amazing stuff and can prevent and treat a number of medical conditions.
I have it every day and have so much energy. Also since I started taking it, my previous joints pains have totally gone.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I have read that too! Unfortunately, it is also highly Oestrogenic which is not a good thing if you suffer from Endometriosis or any womanly conditions. The health benefits are mainly on Omega 3 oils, which we can get from other sources like Chia Seeds (much more stable and keeps for up to 3years in a jar!) and the others that I have mentioned in the article. I guess it depends on what you are struggling with and what you are seeking to heal.