Study Results
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Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
120 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2022-03-02
2026-12-31
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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Diet may play important roles in endometriosis through its effect on circulating estrogen concentrations and inflammatory processes. Reduced fat intake and increased fiber intake have been shown to reduce estrogen levels, a key determinant of endometriosis activity. Some evidence suggests a pathogenic role for the gut microbiome, which influences the mucosal immune system and pelvic inflammation. The microbiome is responsive to short term dietary intervention, although long term changes have not been well characterized.
Therefore, the investigators propose a novel intervention strategy using a plant-based diet to improve pain, inflammation, and quality of life.
The morbidity caused by endometriosis is substantial in terms of pain, reduced quality of life, lost productivity, and effects on relationships. Current medical therapies are limited in efficacy and have major side effects. Typical palliative surgery does not cure endometriosis. Better understanding of diet's ability to influence the disease process has the potential to improve quality of life and daily functioning without the cost and side effects of current therapies.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Plant-based Intervention Group
Intervention group participants will adopt a low-fat, plant-based diet for 12 weeks. Participants will be provided with a commercially available supplement containing 100 micrograms of vitamin B12 and asked to take it daily during the study. Alcoholic beverages will be limited to 1 per day. Participants will be asked to keep their physical activity level constant.
Plant-based Intervention Group
Participants in the intervention group will be instructed in ways to adopt a plant-based diet, use appropriate methods of food preparation, and make meals enjoyable and appetizing. The plant-based diet primarily emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, beans and legumes, and fruits. Animal products and added oils will be proscribed and the use of ultra-processed foods, sugar, and sugar-sweetened beverages will be discouraged. Fat intake will be limited to 20-30 g/day.
Control Group
Control group participants will be asked to maintain their usual diet for the duration of the 12-week study period. Participants will be provided with a commercially available supplement containing 100 micrograms of vitamin B12 and asked to take it daily during the study. Alcoholic beverages will be limited to 1 per day. Participants will be asked to keep their physical activity level constant. At the conclusion of the 12 weeks, control group participants will be offered instruction in the plant-based diet.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Plant-based Intervention Group
Participants in the intervention group will be instructed in ways to adopt a plant-based diet, use appropriate methods of food preparation, and make meals enjoyable and appetizing. The plant-based diet primarily emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, beans and legumes, and fruits. Animal products and added oils will be proscribed and the use of ultra-processed foods, sugar, and sugar-sweetened beverages will be discouraged. Fat intake will be limited to 20-30 g/day.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
2. Age 18-45 years
3. Stable health condition and medications for past 3 months
4. Modified Biberoglu and Behrman (B\&B) pelvic pain score of at least 5/9
5. Able to follow a plant-based diet for 12 weeks
6. Willing to be randomly assigned to either a plant-based group or a control group that will not make any dietary changes for 12 weeks
Exclusion Criteria
2. Smoking or drug abuse during the past six months
3. Alcohol consumption of more than 2 drinks per day or the equivalent, episodic increased drinking (e.g., more than 2 drinks per day on weekends), or a history of alcohol abuse or dependency followed by any current use
4. Unstable medical or psychiatric illness
5. Already following a plant-based diet
6. Pregnant or breastfeeding, or plans of pregnancy within the study period
7. Hysterectomy or ovariectomy
8. Fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease
9. Endocrine inflammatory conditions, such as Cushing's syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and Addison's disease
10. Lack of English fluency
11. Unable or unwilling to participate in all components of the study
12. Evidence of an eating disorder
18 Years
45 Years
FEMALE
No
Sponsors
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Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Neal Barnard, MD
Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Locations
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Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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Kennedy S, Bergqvist A, Chapron C, D'Hooghe T, Dunselman G, Greb R, Hummelshoj L, Prentice A, Saridogan E; ESHRE Special Interest Group for Endometriosis and Endometrium Guideline Development Group. ESHRE guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2005 Oct;20(10):2698-704. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dei135. Epub 2005 Jun 24.
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Other Identifiers
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Pro00059650
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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