Dietary intolerance and endometriosis : an immunological link in the pathogenesis of an enigmatic disease?

Abstract

The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains enigmatic. Not one theory explains all cases of endometriosis, however, there is a growing consensus that the initiation of endometriosis is retrograde menstruation. The consolidation of endometriotic colonization appears to be mediated through altered immunological processes in the peritoneal milieu. The diverse findings in the immunological reaction to endometriosis suggest several etiological agents. Some workers have looked into dietary intolerance focusing on the various components in the diet that may act as etiological agents which alter the body’s immunological response. This altered immunological response may contribute to the establishment and progression of endometriosis. Studies in their varied forms, as in the animal model, in vitro and observational studies have been carried out, so as to elucidate a connection between dietary components and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Also analyzed in significant detail are the common immunological mediators between nutrition and endometriosis. These studies indicate that the linkage of dietary intolerance and endometriosis is complex and is further compounded with the multifaceted mediation of the immunological process. There is variance in the connection between dietary intolerance and endometriosis, possibly due to multifarious variables including differences in population nutritional components, genetic and immunological characteristics. Endometriosis may indeed be the final common pathway of various inflammatory processes reacting differentially to a diverse number of elements, some of which may include dietary intolerance. Dietary modification to alleviate symptoms and attenuate the progression of endometriosis may have to be tailored to the pattern of the patient’s dietary intolerance.