Is there anything that can help with period pains?
Period pains are triggered by a group of local hormones called prostaglandins. Eating the right fats and avoiding the wrong ones can help change the ratio of the different types of prostaglandins from the pro-inflammatory ones which cause the pain, to the anti-inflammatory ones.
Arachidonic acid, a fatty acid found in dairy produce, meat and shellfish, is converted to pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fats on the other hand can be converted to the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Good food sources of omega 3 essential fats are oily fish, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil.
So try cutting out or at least reducing the foods that can worsen symptoms whilst increasing your intake of oily fish (twice a week) and/or flaxseed oil. For some women cutting out dairy products and meat just in the week leading up to their period can do the trick whereas for others it can take several months of dietary changes before they see an improvement. Certain nutrients, in particular vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc, are important for the conversion of the omega 3 essential fats to the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Supplementing those as part of a nutritional programme may be of benefit.
Written by Dr Karin Elgar
