What Dairy Does to Periods
More than twenty years ago I discovered something: When I stopped having dairy, I stopped having period pain.
Since then, I’ve worked with thousands of patients who have had the same result. For many women (not all), stopping dairy can dramatically improve period pain, heavy periods, endometriosis, acne, and PMS. How Soy Affects Hormones and Health
Soy contains phytoestrogens or “plant-estrogens,” which sounds bad but by out-competing estradiol, phytoestrogens can have a beneficial anti-estrogen effect in women of reproductive age.
That’s why soy and other phytoestrogens can make periods lighter and improve estrogen excess symptoms such as PMS and heavy periods.
High-Dose Fructose Can Cause or Worsen Insulin Resistance (But Fruit Is Okay)
High-dose fructose can cause or worsen insulin resistance, abdominal weight gain, fatty liver, heavy periods, and PCOS.
High-dose fructose comes from table sugar (sucrose), high-fructose corn syrup, and even some natural sweeteners such as agave, coconut sugar, dates, dried fruit, and fruit juice.
Whole fruit is healthy and does not cause insulin resistance because 1) whole fruit contains only low-dose fructose, and 2) fruit also provides beneficial nutrients, fibre, and polyphenols.
How Vitamin B6 Relieves Premenstrual Mood Symptoms
Thank you to my nutrition professor, who first taught me about vitamin B6 (pyridoxine or pyridoxal-5-phosphate) for PMS. It is an effective, reliable treatment for premenstrual mood problems, including PMDD.
Back then (35 years ago), vitamin B6 relieved my own premenstrual symptoms so dramatically that it was my eureka moment in natural health and menstrual health. Thanks to B6, I realised that although period symptoms are common, they’re not normal.
How Iodine Protects Breasts
Iodine has a long history of use for breast symptoms such as pain and cysts. Research suggests it may also help reduce the risk of breast cancer and even play a role as an adjuvant treatment.
For example, iodine deficiency has been linked to the development of breast cancer, while supplementation shows potential benefits for breast cancer.
Rescue Prescription for Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopause is the two to twelve years before menopause. It can cause heavy periods, mood swings, insomnia, and night sweats.
Menopause (also called post-menopause) is the life phase that begins one year after the last period. The first couple of years can cause hot flashes, weight gain, and insomnia.
Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms can be relieved by natural treatments such as magnesium, taurine, progesterone, and transdermal estrogen.