Plant-Based Diet for Endometriosis

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, San Diego

Disqualifiers: Smoking, Alcohol abuse, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a whole food plant-based diet can help women with endometriosis feel better. Participants will either follow this diet or maintain their regular eating habits for 12 weeks. The goal is to determine if dietary changes can reduce symptoms like pelvic pain. Women diagnosed with endometriosis who have experienced symptoms for some time might be suitable for this trial.

As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to investigate dietary changes that could enhance the quality of life for those with endometriosis.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants should have stable health conditions and medications for the past 3 months, which suggests you may continue your current medications if they have been stable.

What prior data suggests that this dietary intervention is safe for women with endometriosis?

Research has shown that a whole food plant-based diet might be safe for people with endometriosis. Studies have found that women with endometriosis who followed a gluten-free diet, similar to plant-based diets, experienced a 50% reduction in pain over three months. Additionally, plant-based diets might lower estrogen levels, a hormone linked to endometriosis symptoms.

Another study discovered that women who consumed a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in plant-based foods, had up to 94% lower chances of having endometriosis. This suggests that plant-based diets can be well-tolerated and may help reduce symptoms. Overall, evidence indicates that plant-based diets are safe and might be beneficial for managing endometriosis. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using a whole food plant-based diet for endometriosis because it offers a natural, non-invasive approach to managing symptoms. Unlike standard treatments like hormonal therapies and pain medications, this dietary intervention focuses on reducing inflammation and balancing hormones through nutrient-rich foods. By emphasizing plant-based nutrition, the approach might also provide additional health benefits, such as improved digestion and increased energy levels, potentially transforming overall well-being for those affected by endometriosis.

What evidence suggests that a whole food plant-based diet might be an effective treatment for endometriosis?

This trial will evaluate the effects of a whole food plant-based diet on endometriosis. Research has shown that a plant-based diet might help with this condition. A study in the UK found that women with endometriosis who followed a gluten-free diet for three months experienced 50% less pain. Other studies have linked increased fruit fiber intake to a lower risk of developing endometriosis. A review also suggests that a plant-based diet could help prevent and treat the condition. These findings indicate that eating more plant-based foods might reduce symptoms and improve well-being for women with endometriosis. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sanjay K Agarwal, MD

Principal Investigator

UCSD

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women aged 18-45 with a diagnosis of endometriosis, experiencing moderate pelvic pain. Participants must consent to study procedures and agree to follow the assigned diet strictly for 12 weeks. They should be in stable health and not have had changes in their medications recently.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing and able to follow all study requirements.

I have been diagnosed with endometriosis.

I have signed the consent form.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to follow a whole food plant-based diet or stay on their usual diet for 12 weeks

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain and quality of life after the dietary intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Whole Food Plant-Based Diet

Trial Overview The study tests if a whole food plant-based diet can help manage symptoms of endometriosis compared to usual diets. Women will be randomly placed into two groups: one follows the special diet, while the other continues their normal eating habits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Experimental arm which will receive the intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive the dietary intervention

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

This group with continue on their usual diet

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, San Diego

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,215

Recruited

1,593,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12299565/

The Role of Plant-Based Diets and Personalized Nutrition in ... A UK-based study found that women with endometriosis who followed a gluten-free diet for three months experienced a 50% reduction in pain [89].

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9983692/

Nutrition in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis Increased fruit fiber has been associated with a reduced risk of endometriosis in two independent studies (34, 42). Plant-based foods contain increased amounts ...

3. healio.com healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20230306/plant-based-diet-may-aid-in-preventing-treating-endometriosis

Plant-based diet may aid in preventing, treating ... A plant-based diet and vitamin D possibly beneficial in preventing and treating the disease, according to a review published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79746-9

A cross-sectional study on the relationship between dietary ... This study aims to analyze and explore the relationship between dietary fiber intake and the risk of endometriosis providing insights for future clinical ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05175248

NCT05175248 | Nutritional Intervention for Endometriosis In a 12-week parallel study, women with a verified diagnosis of endometriosis will be randomly assigned to follow a low-fat plant-based diet or to stay on ...

6. nutritionj.biomedcentral.com nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-022-00812-x

Food groups and nutrients consumption and risk of ... For instance, some observational studies showed that a plant-based diet leads to a decrease in the bioavailability of estrogen, estrogen ...

7. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20251022/Mediterranean-diet-linked-to-dramatically-lower-odds-of-endometriosis.aspx

Mediterranean diet linked to dramatically lower odds of ... Women who followed a Mediterranean-style eating pattern had up to 94% lower odds of endometriosis, suggesting that plant-based, ...

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2087

Diet and Endometriosis: An Umbrella Review A higher intake of vegetables and dairy products may reduce the risk and/or symptoms of endometriosis, while a high intake of caffeine and butter may increase ...