Friday 25 October 2013

HRT Expert Marla Ahlgrimm on Ways to Manage PMS

Marla Ahlgrimm
Wisconsin pharmacist and natural hormone therapy expert, Marla Ahlgrimm talks about how women can manage symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Q: What is the best way to ward off PMS related food cravings?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Most experts recommend managing carbohydrate cravings by keeping an emergency “survival kit” at home, work or in your purse. Low glycemic vegetables, yogurt, nuts, or a few complex carbohydrate crackers are snacks that should be considered. Maintaining blood sugar levels by eating 6 small meals a day goes a long way in decreasing cravings for chocolate, refined white flour snacks or salty snacks.  

Q: What is the best way to get the family involved when changing your diet to alleviate PMS symptoms?

Marla Ahlgrimm: If you have children, it is best to let them help with grocery shopping and allow them to pick out healthy foods and snacks for themselves. It can be difficult to convince a child that healthy changes are not only important for their body but taste good as well. When children have some sense of control over what they eat, they are more likely to stay away from processed foods and indulge in creative and healthy eating.
Q: How important is sleep when you have PMS?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Regular sleep is the necessary for the body to repair itself after daily activity. While it can be difficult to sleep premenstrually, it’s vital to help manage fatigue and irritability.

Q: What is the best way to keep track of PMS symptoms?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Managing PMS means keeping a daily list of when and how severely symptoms affect you. It is best to use a menstrual calendar daily so that symptoms can be recorded before sleep and evaluated monthly.

Q: Is meditation helpful for PMS?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Meditation, yoga or even just a few quiet minutes alone can decrease the stress hormone cortisol and recharge the body and mind, making it easier to manage many symptoms of PMS.

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