Link Between PMS and Inflammation
It's becoming common knowledge that inflammation is the root of most modern disease. While we need some inflammation to help heal the body from things like ankle sprains or a sore throat, low-grade chronic inflammation is associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.
Recently, a new study suggests that inflammation is behind period pain.
"Scientists have finally discovered why periods hurt so much, following a ground-breaking study into menstrual pain," The Independent reports. The pain is caused by acute inflammation, as measured by the C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a protein produced by the liver; its levels rise when there is inflammation present in the body.
So how does one keep it in check?
Here are 5 ways to fight inflammation through diet:
1. Keep blood sugar stable! Limiting sweets, eating whole grains (without overdoing them), eating a balanced plate and timing your meals is the golden ticket here.
2. Eat more monounsaturated fat than saturated fat (about a 2:1 ratio). Try not to go too crazy with fatty meats, dairy and coconut oil and use olive oil as your primary cooking oil and you're all good.
3. Eat more omega-3 and less omega-6 fats. Omega 6's aren't bad for you but these days we're seeing the ratio between them get flipped on it's head and it's making us sick. Keeping a balance between 6 and 3 is really important. Be sure you get your 3's through more fish, flax/hemp seeds, walnuts, and fortified eggs and fewer foods made with corn, soy and vegetable oils (this is where your 6's come in strong!).
4. Consume more vegetables and dark, leafy greens.
5. Spice it up! There's many delicious anti-inflammatory spices out there but ginger, turmeric, onions, garlic, & chili peppers are the top contenders. Put them on everything. :)
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Love, health, and Omega-3's! Stephanie