Greetings!
July 16, 2012
Thank you for your continued support of my newsletter. Each month I look forward to writing about a new topic that will help you achieve your wellness goals.
Approximately, 80 percent of women experience PMS at some point in their lives, and one-third of thirty to forty-year-old women experience PMS regularly. Many women believe that this is their burden to bear. They suffer quietly and needlessly, and this month, I wanted to share some possible solutions.
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Holistic Solutions for PMS
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Abdominal cramps, fatigue, breast swelling and tenderness, headaches, nausea, mood swings, and acne are just a handful of symptoms that occur during PMS.
 PMS is a symptom of imbalance in the body. Women's hormones can be thrown off balance due to stress, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, toxicity, and a host of other factors.
The two hormones estrogen and progesterone are closely interrelated and work together to achieve ovulation and menstruation. When these hormones are not in the proper ratio, PMS symptoms may occur.
A majority of the time women with PMS symptoms have an excess of estrogen, but they may also have an imbalance of progesterone. Estrogen is broken down primarily in the liver, but also in the gut. If a women's liver is taxed and her gut is unhealthy, there is greater likelihood that she will have problems breaking down estrogen. This inability of the liver to break down estrogen can be a major contributor to dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation.
Xenoestrogens are estrogen mimickers that disrupt normal hormonal activity in our bodies. Pesticides, BPA, and parabens are some of the chemicals that mimic estrogen and cause imbalances in the human body. They are also difficult to detoxify through the liver, putting an extra burden on the liver. It is impossible to avoid all xenoestrogens in our modern world, but you can make choices in the products you buy to limit exposure.
- Buy organic or hormone-free animal products and organic produce, skin and hair-care products without parabens, pthalates, and phenoxyethanols.
- Don't use heated plastics, plastic lined items and styrofoam, as the polycarbonate escapes when heated.
- Any plastic that says, "microwave safe" may be leaching polycarbonate into your food.
- In general, don't store any of your food in plastic containers. Storing your food in glass containers is probably the safest way to store any food.
Nutritional tips may help reduce some PMS symptoms. Eliminate all food sensitivities, which can be determined by a health care provider if you are not aware of your own. Eat calcium-rich foods, including dark leafy greens like kale and collards. Collards have the highest nutrient profile of all the greens. Avoid processed foods, trans fats, dairy products, and refined carbohydrates. Choose low glycemic foods as they don't spike your blood sugar, and don't lend to hormone imbalance.
Methylxanthines or caffeine is probably the biggest food toxin contributor to PMS. Many women are sensitive to caffeine and have a problem breaking down caffeine and its derivatives.
 Caffeine can disrupt the liver, kidneys, and endocrine system if a woman is sensitive to it. This is why it is so important for a woman with PMS to cease from consuming food or drinks with caffeine. This includes chocolate, guarana, yerba mate, cola, certain teas, and coffee.
Vitamins and mineral deficiencies are a common finding in women who have PMS. The vitamin B6 or pyridoxyl 5' phosphate has been shown to help certain women with PMS. Pyridoxyl 5' phosphate protects the body from electromagnetic fields, which are theorized to cause hormonal imbalances. Calcium and magnesium supplementation may also help certain women with PMS symptoms. Many minerals have a positive effect on the nervous system and endocrine system.
Many herbs are used successfully in balancing the body and relieving a woman from PMS symptoms. Certain herbs regulate the endocrine system by targeting the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and regulating the synthesis of hormones. Herbs may act on follicle stimulating hormone, prostaglandins, progesterone and estrogen to help balance the amount of these hormones that are produced.
Some herbs that can be helpful in PMS syndrome are chaste tree, dong quai, and black cohosh. Certain herbs are better used at different times in a woman's cycle, and also at different times per day.
Muscle testing is a clear and concise way to determine the herbs, vitamins, minerals and supplements that are necessary to rid a woman's body of PMS. It eliminates any guessing and provides a solution for PMS.
If you or someone you know suffers from PMS, I would be happy to help you, your family or friends with this problem.
Healthfully yours, Dr. Lou Granirer |
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