We are always talking about how important dairy products are for bone, muscle and cognitive development and maintenance at all stages of life, but we rarely stop to think about how the richness of their nutrients can help us in specific situations such as premenstrual discomfort.
Although only 40% of women meet the criteria for the clinical diagnosis of Pre Menstrual Syndrome, all of us, to a greater or lesser extent, suffer from some symptom that affects us throughout our reproductive life. The management of these physical and emotional symptoms can be supported by the good results of the contribution of dairy products, from a chocolate milk, an ice cream, a spoonful of milk caramel or a portion of flan that comforts us when our spirits are irremediably collapsing, to what we cannot feel as directly as the adjustment in a hormonal imbalance.
More than 150 symptoms have been documented, but the most popular are anxiety, cramps, depression, breast pain and tenderness, general malaise, irritability, concentration problems, cravings and an emotional uneasiness that is the subject of an endless number of jokes, which… unfortunately have tragicomic support: a clinical study of premenstrual tension conducted in a prison population showed that 62% of violent crimes were committed by inmates in the premenstrual week. These can be days of rage, even if we don’t get to the crime girls, we know.
All this physical and emotional disorder has its origin in the hormonal imbalance that occurs in the luteal phase and until menstruation begins, except in perimenopausal women, who keep the symptoms later. Yes, girls. That’s how complicated we can be. And gentlemen, instead of knowing what sign we are, it may be more useful to know what stage of the cycle we are in (conquest tips).
With dairy consumption we can help balance low concentrations of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and B6 and hormonal imbalance related to estrogen, progesterone and/or aldosterone and alterations in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, since milk has tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes the release of serotonin in the body, improving mood and reducing irritability and moodiness.
Anxiety, sadness and those irrepressible cravings for sweets are also justified by the decrease in serotonin levels. It is again recommended for this purpose to consume foods that increase it, such as those rich in tryptophan, a natural component of milk, and as we said, an essential amino acid precursor of serotonin.
Vitamin B6 reduces pain and so does lowering the level of estrogen. By increasing the intake of calcium and vitamin D from dairy products we can achieve this result as it would directly affect estrogen levels during the period.
The clinical study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology revealed that by treating the female inmates I told you about at the beginning, with a therapy consisting of vitamin B complex supply and supplemental feeding of milk and cheese in the premenstrual period, a significant improvement was reported.
The results showed increased work productivity, improved behavior and attitude, fewer requests for painkillers and sedatives, and a marked increase in overall morale.
You looked at the almanac and figured out what stage of the cycle you’re in. It’s time for your glass of milk. I’ve had mine and I feel much better.
It’s good to consume dairy products, even on those days.
