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Tomatoes could help treat endometriosis

By Lucy Hutchings on Wednesday 12 November 2008

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Tomatoes

Eating tomatoes could help alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis, new research has revealed.

The painful condition afflicts around two million women, and affects the lining of the womb, causing pain and discomfort in the abdomen.

Now scientists have discovered that lycopene, the bright red pigment that gives the fruit its colour could help prevent internal scarring, caused by the condition.

A study discovered that cells from internal scar tissue reacted positively when exposed to the antioxidant. The presence of proteins, which had caused adhesions (abnormal tissue) to form were cut by 80-90%, when lycopene was introduced.

Study leader, doctor Tarek Dbouk, of Wayne State University in Detroit, commented, 'What we found in our laboratory study is that lycopene can help with the adhesions that these conditions cause. One of the major complications of endometriosis is that it causes inflammation which induces adhesions. The inflammation basically causes scarring.'

He added, 'The lycopene worked to reduce the abnormal activity of these cells. So, hypothetically speaking, we might be able to reduce the adhesion effects of endometriosis.'

The findings could also have positive implications for patients who have abdominal surgery, as lycopene could help to reduce internal scarring.

Dr Douk added that the dosage of lycopene needed for a positive effect for both surgery patients and sufferers of endometriosis could be limited to simply eating more tomatoes.

He said, 'It is certainly possible that you could get the amount you need from your diet.'

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