Wellness for Women
Q. I know you can’t give me individual medical advice, but might there be a couple of supplements that may nourish my body? My medical doctor knows that I have monthly breast pain and menstrual cramps with general body pain that lasts for 3 to 5 days. They suggested OTC medications. Is there something natural that I should talk to my medical provider about and try for a couple of months?
A. In my clinical practice I routinely see this triad of symptoms. During the female menstrual cycle there is a process called neuroendocrine balance that can get disrupted. In short, the nervous system and hormones can become dysfunctional. The fact that these symptoms occur like clockwork seems to point in this direction. The Western world suffers from excess inflammation that arises from diets that are often too low in fresh veggies and produce, and too high in grains and processed foods. If that is the case for you, focusing on a whole food diet that is closer to farm-fresh may assist.
Staying well-hydrated is essential. The general rule for my patients is that during most of the day my patients target near-clear urine. Darker yellow urine can often point to insufficient water intake. Sadly, coffee does not count toward optimal hydration. In fact, coffee can contribute to being under-hydrated and contribute to body aches and pains. And there is a correlation with both chocolate and coffee as culprits of breast discomfort in susceptible individuals.
Over the past 27 years of practice for menstrual-related body pain, breast tenderness and cramps, my go-to supplements are Evening Primrose Oil and Turmeric, either as a stand-alone or in a combination of other botanicals such as Rosemary and Ginger. I also find that patients with overall muscle cramps, a heightened startle response, or craving for chocolate often do well when adding magnesium to their wellness pursuits while working with their personal healthcare provider.**
Peace and Abundant Blessings,
Dr. Chris Meletis, N.D.
References:
Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E: http://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/15/1/59.pdf
Turmeric: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26051565
Ginger: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
Rosemary: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19053868
Magnesium: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3208934/
About Dr. Meletis, N.D.
Chris Meletis, N.D., has more than 25 years of experience practicing natural medicine. Based in Portland, Oregon, he shares his vast knowledge with fellow healthcare providers and his patients, and generously give to those in need. A lecturer and author, Dr. Meletis as written over a dozen books and hundreds of national articles. He was named Naturopathic Physician of the Year in 2003 by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and was inducted into the National University of Natural Medicine Hall of Fame in 2018.
**The information shared here is not intended as either diagnosis or treatment. Working with one’s healthcare provider(s) is essential when creating a comprehensive wellness protocol.
