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Women's Wellbeing > PMS and Food
Most women at some time experience PMS and for many it can a
persistent health problem which can last many years. Nutritional supplements will often restore
normality to a woman's cycle and recovery is helped by restricting
specific foods and exercising.
Foods to restrict are:
Sodium (salt - sodium chloride)
Salt is essential for the maintenance of human life, it controls the amount of
water within our bodies, maintains the relationship between
cells and body fluids and aids in the contraction of muscle
tissue and is a vital ingredient of blood plasma and
digestive secretions.
At the same time, it is important to remember that excessive salt
can be fatal and it is commonly used as a preservative. Medical research has
shown that a healthy adult requires an intake of about ten grams of salt per day.
However much of the salt sold today is pure sodium chloride, fresh
sea salt may be a better option as it contains many other
minerals that are also needed by our bodies. Excess salt can:
-
Alter levels of estrogen during a woman’s
period
- Cause water retention leading to PMS-related
bloating
- Cause breast tenderness and headaches.
- Affect heart and circulation
-
Processed foods, fast foods and snack foods contain high levels of
sodium
Rich and Fatty foods
These are more difficult for the body to process especially when
the body is stressed, and they contribute to weight gain and depression
especially when combined with sugar.
Sugar is in many of
our foods affecting our health in many ways. Sugar can cause
hypoglycemia, diabetes and heart disease, and sudden changes in
blood sugar levels can trigger mood swings. While we need sugar is
naturally in our diet when it includes complex carbohydrates such as
whole grains, pasta, rice, cereals and beans.
Caffeine
A
stimulating social drug which unfortunately for women elevates estrogen levels
and the risk of PMS, breast and ovarian cancer and fibroid tumors.
Learn more.
Excess caffeine can
- Cause or aggravate breast tenderness
- Cause tension, headaches and irritability
- Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, colas, chocolate and some medications
Alcohol is well known for causing premenstrual depression and headaches,
it also thins blood and should
be avoided.
Post Menstrual Stress -
Woman's Moon -
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