Serah Sannoh chose to examine peer-reviewed publications on food and menstrual period discomfort as part of her senior research thesis for her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University, partially as a result of her own problems with the problem.
What did she discover? According to Sannoh’s recent study, meals high in omega-6 fatty acids increased inflammation, which is a major cause of menstruation pain, whereas an omega-3 fatty acid-rich diet decreased inflammation.
Dysmenorrhea, another name for menstrual discomfort, is caused by contraction of the uterine muscles. The situation is made worse by prostaglandins, substances implicated in inflammatory reactions.
Sannoh, who is currently a medical student at Temple University in Philadelphia, said, “I would just advise young women to take a look at their lifestyle and the food that you have, dietary practises, and see if there are any adjustments that could assist ease the pain that you suffer.
90% of adolescent girls report monthly pain, but many of them don’t get help. According to the survey, it is a major reason why young women miss school.
Red meat, sugar, salt, dairy, caffeine, and oils are just a few of the things that Sannoh’s studies identified as being hazardous.
Omega-6 fatty acids are particularly prevalent in the American diet, according to Sannoh.
According to the study, those who follow a vegan diet have the lowest rates of inflammation.
Sannoh asserted, “Diet does have an impact on your health, and I feel that this is sometimes disregarded. People occasionally merely want to know whether there are any medications they can use. And that’s good, but if there’s a holistic method to stop the first stage of this unpleasant cascade, I think some individuals would do better to accept that, and it would also help them have better overall health.
Sannoh stated that even so, more study is necessary.
I think this could be used for people of all ages, but that’s another reason I want more study done on the topic so we can understand the long-term impacts of these diets.
Sannoh was slated to discuss her research findings at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society on Wednesday in Atlanta. Up until it is published in a journal with peer review, this research is regarded as preliminary.
Prostaglandins’ effects were further discussed by Dr. Monica Christmas, head of the Center for Women’s Integrated Health at the University of Chicago. High concentrations may cause the blood arteries that supply the uterus with blood to tighten more. When that blood supply is restricted, cramping may result.
Ibuprofen, Midol, Aleve, and other non-steroidal medications all work because they prevent the release of prostaglandins, which reduces the vasoconstriction process, according to Christmas. “With this trial, the researchers are asking, ‘Hey, look, can we just have folks follow an anti-inflammatory diet and is it enough to block the release of prostaglandin so that you don’t have that vasoconstriction?'” It appears to be, too.
Because of the health advantages, Christmas eats primarily a plant-based diet in her own life, with the occasional exception of sushi and dairy.
Even though Christmas frequently treats menopausal patients, occasionally these patients also present with severe symptoms as arthritis, mood fluctuations, and excessive weight gain. But an early switch to a less inflammatory diet might be beneficial.
“Do we actually offset some of the things that kids may suffer later on if you have adolescents that are really homing in on sticking to an anti-inflammatory diet, which is also really simply a good way to eat at an early age?” Christmas enquired.
According to Christmas, eating inflammatory foods can also raise one’s risk of developing diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Christmas suggests following a Mediterranean diet rich in fresh herbs and spices, oats, bright fruits, and green leafy vegetables.
“I believe that the best way to eat is to have people nourish their bodies with foods that will have them have their most optimal health, longevity, think better, function better, and live an overall healthy life, and minimise their risk of co-morbidities that increase as we get older,” said Christmas.
Information about
There is additional information on period discomfort at the US National Library of Medicine.
Sources include Serah Sannoh, a BS graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ; Monica Christmas, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Chicago; she also serves as the director of the Center for Women’s Integrated Health and is a board member of the North American Menopause Society. The annual meeting of the society will be held in Atlanta.
