HEAVY
PERIODS
Browse books on Heavy Periods
About Heavy
Periods
Excessive
menstrual bleeding is a common complaint which is usually preventable through
proper nutritional measures, so long as the cause is determined.
The most common cause is the body producing too much arachidonic acid,
which is hormone-like substance (called prostaglandin series 2).
This excess prostaglandin series 2 is probably the main reason for
excessive menstrual bleeding and menstrual cramps.
Other
factors in heavy periods include iron deficiency, underactive thyroid, vitamin A deficiency,
vitamin K deficiency, essential fatty acid deficiency (omega 6), endometriosis,
fibroids and birth control devices.
It’s
easy to imagine that a woman may develop an iron deficiency if she is bleeding
heavily during menstruation, but it’s not so well recognised that chronic iron
deficiency can actually be a cause of
heavy bleeding.
Nutrition facts & Diet
Advice for Heavy Periods
The following nutrition guidelines should be
considered:
-
Increase
green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, almonds and other
nuts, all of which will provide omega 6 essential fatty acids, which also
have the effect of keeping arachidonic acid levels down.
-
Eat
oily fish, pumpkin seeds, linseeds (flaxseed) and walnuts for their omega
3 content.
-
Eat
sprouted alfalfa seeds for their vitamin K content.
-
If
not pregnant, eat organic liver
for the vitamin A content – if you can’t get organic, leave it alone,
and get a vitamin A supplement instead.
-
The
green vegetables and nuts and seeds mentioned above also contain calcium
and magnesium which will help relax muscles and relieve cramps.
-
Reduce
animal fats which lead to an increase in arachidonic acid.
-
If
you also have PMS, avoid sugar and alcohol and all refined foods.
-
Take
regular exercise.
Health Supplements
and Heavy Periods
Often, a combination of
supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may
wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice.
Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are
shown below:
Herb:
Shepherd’s purse (capsella bursa-pastoris)
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