THE IMPACT OF SELECTED DIETS AND NUTRIENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF ENDOMETRIOSIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that significantly reduces women's quality of life, leading to chronic pain and infertility. Despite developments in research, there is still no effective treatment that can cure patients completely. Recent findings suggest that dietary interventions can alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of this disease. Aim: The aim of this article is to review the latest research on the impact of specific diets and nutrients on endometriosis. Material and methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The analysis focused primarily on scientific publications published between 2016 and 2026. Results: Recent reports indicate the role of dietary interventions in the treatment of endometriosis. It has been shown that certain nutrients can improve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease by reducing inflammation, lowering oxidative stress, and regulating estrogen levels. Appropriately selected dietary strategies can not only alleviate pain or help limit the growth of endometriotic lesions, but also improve fertility. However, despite the promising results, the available data are partially inconclusive and require additional clinical trials. Conclusions: A properly tailored diet can be an important part of supporting endometriosis treatment. However, additional well-designed randomized trials are needed to unequivocally determine the impact and effectiveness of dietary interventions on the development and progression of this disease. The obtained data may contribute to the formulation of precise dietary recommendations.