by Christina Swigart, Licensed Nutritionist

Are you one that looks forward to menopause so that you can escape from the monthly mood swings, bloating, cravings, and cramps? PMS - nobody wants it, but many do not know how to be free of it. Did you know that you can balance your hormones naturally, through nutrition, without having to resort to the birth control pill?

I frequently see women in my office who try to cope with their monthly PMS issues on their own, some even using painkillers and antidepressants to rid themselves of the symptoms. The thing that is important to understand is that these prescriptions are only alleviating the symptoms and not getting to the imbalance that lies beneath. That is where proper nutrition comes in. You have the ability to biochemically rebalance your hormones, without medications, in a way that not only gets rid of the symptoms but also improves your health and prevents future problems.

This chicken salad is a great way to add healthy fat, lean protein and vegetables on a hot summer day.

For those women who need additional support there is one key nutrient that I often recommend to help rebalance hormone levels. Each individual has specific needs, but one thing I start with for any woman who has PMS is GLA. GLA is an essential Omega-6 fatty acid that plays a big role in your body's ability to maintain hormonal balance. You want to make sure you are getting a useable source and I like Borage Seed Oil. A good dosage for most women is 600-800 mg of GLA per day. It can take 1-3 months to really get up to a good level in your body, depending on how deficient you are. The better you eat, the sooner you will see a difference.