Mommy- Must Have: Travel Tips

I love to travel! I have been blessed with the opportunity to see different parts of the world throughout my lifetime.  Whether backpacking around Europe for the cultural experience or to work in a traditional hospital in Vietnam, I really love exploring new territory and learning new things.  I truly believe that this doesn’t have to change when you have children.  My 16 month old toddler wasn’t going to stop me from traveling to be with my sister when she had her baby.  And the fact that she lives in The Netherlands is just a bonus. ;)

No matter where you go or how you get there traveling can be a challenge for both parents and children combined.  You leave behind the comforts and routine of your home and this can really be stressful.  You have figured out how to make them comfortable and happy when at home, but when it comes to something new it may throw everyone out of balance.  Being that I recently experienced flying with my 16 month old son (solo!) fairly successfully I thought I would share my travel must have’s and health tips.

So away we go:

  1. Engage them in many different activities.  As a parent you know how much your child loves variety and perhaps you have also noticed that if you can provide enough variety for your child you can likely avoid most melt-downs.  Bring a few of their favorite toys and books and perhaps have a few new things in the mix to keep them stimulated.
  2. Try a natural calming formula.  There are so many great homeopathic and herbal combinations that encourage your child to feel relaxed or even encourage sleep.  These are safe, effective and well tolerated by most.  Be sure to work with an ND when selecting the right combination for your child.  If you have found homeopathics ineffective in the past it is likely due to it not being the best remedy for your child.  Homeopathics are based on similimum or essentially ‘like cures like’ so if the product or remedy selected is not the most appropriate for your child then it is likely going to be ineffective.  Take the guessing out of this by working with a qualified practitioner to help you be successful at giving your child exactly what they need.  Some products to consider are Rescue Remedy, Passifloriplex, Tiliacalm, Boiron Calm and Kids Relief Calm Syrup.
  3. Healthy foods & snacks.  Lets be honest, the packaged food served on the plane or offered at gas stations are not health promoting foods.  Pack delicious and nutritious snacks for the trip, perhaps even your child’s favorite foods to excite and distract them.  Some of the foods we brought were homemade cookies and muffins (gluten and dairy free), puffed cereals, corn chips, Lara bars, Baby Gourmet fruit and veggie packs, raisins, carrots and quinoa crackers.  I brought a lot of food which was something I thought was wise and then when we were hungry I didn’t have to compromise my nutritional beliefs.
  4. Support their immune system.  Protect your family by supporting their immune system.  Being in an airplane with recirculated air can make you more susceptible to infection.  If you are breastfeeding take echinacea before the flight or supplement your children with vitamin C, D and anti-microbial herbs to help them defend against infection.  A tip I heard from Bryce Wylde is to apply an ointment in the nasal passageway to trap the pathogens and prevent them from entering the body. I think this is a great idea!
  5. Nursing or bottle feeding with departure and landing.  The pressure changes can be quite painful for your child so have them nurse to help naturally adjust the  pressure in their ears  can be quite effective.  You can do this with a bottle to help them until they are old enough to handle it on their own.
  6. Beat the Jet lag.  Jet lag can really interfere with your holidays so it’s important to do what you can to support your body through this difficult time change challenge.  Try to plan many outdoor activities upon arrival as the daylight can help your body adjust.  Being barefoot and connected to the earth can also be quite beneficial (this is especially easy if it’s a beach destination).  Dehydration can make jet lag worse so be sure to hydrate appropriately before and during your flight.  Also avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will further dehydrate you.
  7. Pack extra.  This is more a mommy tip then a health tip, but I feel it is valuable.  Pack extra clothes, diapers, bottles, food, etc.  I find every time I travel I run out of clothes or my son wets through his diaper (which doesn’t happen otherwise) and I have been caught on a plane with soiled clothes with no other options.  It can be stressful and I think the way for parents to feel calm about the experience is to be prepared and when you think you have packed enough pack a little bit more.  Life experience has taught me that this is valuable advice.

Going on vacation is such an exciting thing, but I know the anxieties leading up to the flight or travel experience can be a bit daunting so I hope these tips help ease your mind and make your time on the plane a little less stressed or dare I say stress- free… ;)

Wishing you and your wee ones a comfortable travel experience!

In great health & wellness,

Dr. Michelle

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MyBalanceIs… Juggling mommy-hood while still making health a priority

Health is not merely the absence of disease, it is about living optimally.  This can be extremely challenging when you are juggling children, a spouse, meal plans and career all the while striving to feel good.  Becoming a mom myself, I can appreciate all the challenges being a multi-tasking mom can present.  As an ND, I believe achieving and maintaining optimal health is an absolute essential for performing at your best no matter which hat you are wearing.  So here are my tips for finding the balance in life and achieving good health mentally, physically and emotionally through all the days of your life.

  1. Set healthy boundaries between work and home life.  As you can probably imagine, it is healthy to ensure proper separation between work and home life.  Yes, this is easier said than done.  With all the ease and convenience advancements in technology have brought to us now, it’s difficult to truly shut off and be present in your home life.  However, it is more important than ever to make the strongest efforts to be mindful of your time and precious relationship with your kids.  Simply put, when you miss the moments, you miss your life.
  2. Leaving technology at the door. We have a rule in our home that we leave our smart phones at the door when we walk in… and it has worked for us!   We want our kids to remember us having conversations with them in person rather than via text or as Facebook friends.
  3. Include your family in your physical activity.  Your days of going to the gym for an hour or two of a great workout may be over or at least less frequent, so you must get creative with your physical activity.  Find ways for you and your family to get active together.  Our bodies are desperate for more physical activity and your children need at least an hour per day, so help them achieve this goal.  Lead by example and teach your children how important physical activity truly is.  Sitting on the couch is making you unhealthy, so get outside and play!
  4. Plan and prep your meals for the week.  Why not grocery shop and cook with purpose.  Our Sundays are dedicated to preparing for the week.  Together, we decide what meals and snacks we would like to prepare.  We bring our post-it laden cook books and buy only what we need.  We then cook together.  It’s a great habit that keeps us nourished with healthy food every day.  We are what we eat and food=mood, so choose wisely.
  5. Pack your lunch.  A great way to ensure that you eat healthfully throughout the day is by eating food prepared by you or a family member.  You know what’s in your meal, you can eat when you are hungry and you will be less tempted by bad workplace snacks when you have options.  Not being prepared makes those doughnuts twice as enticing because you are likely hungry, have low blood sugar and are not overly jazzed about having to pay for your lunch.  Preparation is the key to success and decreases the likelihood of eating poorly or making bad meal choices.
  6. No is an answer.  All those stressed out women (and men) say yeah… Yeah!  We are all plagued by stress and many responsibilities.  And yet for so many, it is easier to be pleasant and kind than to be honest and express that your current workload is more than enough.  I see a lot of women who are mentally and emotionally unhealthy because of their inability to say no or ask for help.  You are not “less” when receiving help from others or letting others know that, at this time, you cannot help although you would love to make them happy.  Remember, when you do this you are sacrificing your health and nothing is worth that!
  7. Make yourself a priority… no, actually do this!  It feels good to say, right? Well it feels even better to do it.  Remember you cannot give others what you do not have or do for yourself.  You will be a better mom, spouse, entrepreneur or employee when you spoil yourself, healthfully.  So go to that yoga class or take that vacation, there is no need to feel guilty.  In order to fire on all cylinders, you need to recharge the battery!
  8. Prevention is key!  When you are feeling well, you’re less motivated to do what is required to keep you in optimal health.  Your healthy habits can fall by the wayside when you are feeling all those good feeling hormones and endorphins coursing through your body.  Once you achieve it, you must actively maintain it, otherwise you will slowly slip back into ill health or suboptimal living.  You are too fabulous to settle for anything less than the best!  Spend a little time with your ND by making annual visits.  The health of your mind, body and spirit is what we are educated and passionate about.  Let us empower and keep you informed and inspired about your health and wellness.  This is a long-term relationship, so choose your ND wisely; select someone who you feel cares and is invested in helping you achieve your health goals.

Stay tuned for part 2 of health in the midst of being a mommy!

Dr. Michelle Peris is a Naturopathic Doctor whose goal is to inspire health through educating, motivating and empowering people.  She has a family based practice out of a clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

Contact Dr. Michelle today to book your 15 minute complimentary consult.

Why see an ND?

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Pumpkin Artichoke Bean Dip

I like dips! I find them to be so satisfying.  They work as a great snack or as a side dish for any meal and an easy way to add some variety into your own or your child’s diet.  That’s what I like about this recipe, it’s unique, full of healthy fats, fiber, contain vegetarian sources of protein and kid approved.  So here are some of the nutritional benefits of eating the dip:

  • Navy beans: great source of fiber, folate, tryptophan, manganese and protein.  Tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin and melatonin which is important for regulating sleep, mood and appetite.
  • Pumpkin seeds: the most nutritious seed and the greatest source of magnesium.  Also a good source of manganese, tryptophan and phosphorus.  Magnesium is a smooth muscle relaxant and is important for vascular health and blood pressure, muscle recovery and bowel health.  Many are deficient in magnesium, so why not eat with purpose and get your daily dose with these delicious seeds.
  • Garlic: is a great antimicrobial food with immune boosting properties so adding raw garlic into a dip when you are under the weather is a great natural way to combat that cold.  In fact, it’s one of my favourite ways to fight a cold.
  • Onions: have a high polyphenol content, meaning it’s a great source of antioxidants.  It benefits the cardiovascular system and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups navy beans, cooked (19oz can)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seed butter
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sweet onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp pesto sauce
  • 10 drops hot sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 oz jar artichoke hearts, liquid drained

Directions

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Stores well in fridge for 1 week.

Makes 3 cups

Serve with veggie sticks, crackers (rice or quinoa), corn thins

Enjoy!

In great health & happiness,

Dr. Michelle

Resource:
http://www.whfoods.com

Dr. Michelle Peris is a Naturopathic Doctor whose goal is to inspire health through educating, motivating and empowering people.  She has a family based practice out of a clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

Contact Dr. Michelle today to book your 15 minute complimentary consult. Why see an ND?

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Why I am an advocate for natural labour induction

As an ND it’s probably fairly obvious that I am going to opt for the natural approach whenever possible, however, it should be understood why it is so important to go into labour naturally.  Labour does not happen all at once (hence why the average first time birth is 10- 20 hours long).  It is a progression and letting your body progress at its own rate allows for your body to produce chemicals to help with pain management and slowly allows you to get into a trance state which can be quite sedating in itself.  Another reason is that when you are medically induced there is a higher likelihood that you will opt for other medical interventions such as epidurals, c-section and vaccum extraction.  This is again because when the body is suddenly forced into active labour without the natural pain management chemicals and it can be quite strong and overwhelming making other pain management interventions more enticing.  Epidurals do cross the placenta and can affect the heart rate of your baby and epidural exposed baby’s can be quite dopey afterwards, making it difficult for them to instinctually latch to breastfeed.  Let it be known that this is about education and not judgement, it is important to go into labour with an open mind and nonjudgmental heart.  You never know how you will feel until you experience birth, but what I do know is that birth is a natural experience, one we were equipped to handle and allowing labour to ensue naturally allows for your own natural pain management techniques to kick in.

How to induce labour naturally:

  1. Sex. Yep have fun! It may be the last few times you are having unprotected sex for a while unless you want to continue having babies.  Albeit breastfeeding can prevent ovulation but this is not a guarantee, so enjoy the disinhibited carefree sex while you can.  It has been found that sex results in prostaglandin release (prostaglandins are found within spermatic fluid) which can aid in labour induction.  Make sure to talk to your midwife or OB/GYN if your water has already broken.
  2. Walk, walk, walk.  Nothing stimulates your uterus like a good uphill climb, which is what Ina May Gaskin, a highly regarded midwife, has her pregnant patients do when trying to induce labour.  Just make sure you wear proper footwear, have someone go with you to ensure your safety in case you go into labour and hydrate appropriately.
  3. Use herbs that stimulate uterine contractions.  Almost all herbs are off the table once you are pregnant because they can have a strong stimulating affect on the uterus, but near the end of your pregnancy this is exactly what you want.  Herbs to stimulate the uterus naturally help to strengthen and allow for appropriate contraction, its a great way to get your body ready for labour.  Some of the best herbs are partridge berry, blue cohosh, cramp bark, and false unicorn. Speak to your ND about proper prescription.  Herbs can be started at 37 weeks once you are considered full term.
  4. Nipple stimulation. This can be paired with tip number 1! :) Nipple stimulation can promote the release of our ‘love hormone’ Oxytocin.  Oxytocin also has a stimulatory effect on the uterus and can initiate contractions.  Remember that you should use nipple stimulation to induce your labor only if your cervix has already effaced.
  5. Evening primrose oil (EPO).  EPO has been widely used by midwives and integrative practitioners as a suppository to allow softening and ripening of the cervix and orally to shorten duration of labour, stimulate labour and prevent post-date deliveries (1). It effectiveness has also been attributed to prostaglandin release.  Caution should be taken when considering taking supplemental EPO, as some sources state it may also been linked to delayed rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation, arrest of descent, and vacuum extraction (1).  Speak to a professional (ND or midwife) to decide if it is the appropriate intervention for you.
  6. Acupuncture.  Again, once pregnant acupuncture has to be used with caution and many points are contraindicated in pregnancy. However, this is a great way to stimulate and prepare your uterus for labour.  Weekly acupuncture is a great intervention that an ND (like me!) would be happy to provide.  Treatment can start at 36 weeks and frequency can be increased as you are approaching your due date or overdue.

I hope this opens your mind to a more natural approach to childbirth as it is a completely natural experience.  You were meant to rock this and I know you will!

Wishing you a pleasant and slow progression into labour! :)

In great health & happiness,

Dr. Michelle

References: 
(1) http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com.ezproxy.ndnet.ca/nd/Search.aspx?cs=&s=ND&pt=100&id=1006&fs=ND&searchid=36898106
 

Dr. Michelle Peris is a Naturopathic Doctor whose goal is to inspire health through educating, motivating and empowering people.  She has a family based practice out of a clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

Contact Dr. Michelle today to book your 15 minute complimentary consult.

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Chia, Banana and Coconut Cream Pudding (Gluten Free)

Since the theme this week is picky eaters I thought I would share with you one of my son’s favourite healthy treats.  What I like about this dessert is that it’s tasty so you can serve it to your child with little resistance and offers nutritional value.  Here is what is good about this pudding:

  • Chia seeds are a great source of fiber, calcium, are a complete protein, a source of healthy fat and are the richest vegetable source of omega 3 fatty acids.  Unlike the flaxseed they do not have to be ground to absorb the omega 3 fatty acids.
  • Coconut milk is a great source of healthy fat, fiber, manganese, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc.  This can be helpful for weight management, blood sugar maintenance and can help support healthy blood pressure.
  • Naturally sweetened
  • An easy way to increase your child’s fruit and antioxidant intake

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of milk substitute (1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup of dairy free milk substitute- rice, almond, soy, flax or oat)
  • 1/2 cup ground (or whole) chia seeds
  • 3 ripe mashed bananas
  • 1 cup ground coconut
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp kelp (salt substitute but can salt to taste instead)
  • 2 tsp organic raw sugar (maple syrup) or local honey
  • Fresh fruit (banana, blueberries, strawberries etc) for garnish or layering

Directions:

  • Grind chia seeds in a coffee grinder. Or skip this step, chia will gelatinize whole or
  • ground.
  • In a mixer, combine milk and chia seeds.
  • Add mash bananas, ground coconut, kelp, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix for 2 minutes on low.
  • Put in fridge for 20 minutes to gel up.
  • Layer the pudding with fruit & sliced banana and garnish with shreds of coconut

I have held off on introducing honey to my son until 18 months, so if you are going to serve this to your infant, you can as young as 9-12 months, just use maple syrup instead.  Or just do it without the sweetener as the bananas may be enough for your wee one.  Check out my post on food introduction to learn more.

Let me know what your family thinks of this healthy dessert, I am sure you won’t be disappointed.

Enjoy!

In health & happiness,

Dr. Michelle

Dr. Michelle Peris is a Naturopathic Doctor whose goal is to inspire health through educating, motivating and empowering people.  She has a family based practice out of a clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

Contact Dr. Michelle today to book your 15 minute complimentary consult.

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The Picky Eating Phase… How to deal!

The last few weeks have been particularly challenging for us here in our household.  My lover of all foods has been a bit picky, eek! The son of a naturopath, picky? How dare he! I have been lucky thus far since I could pretty much make any food combination and he would eat it up as if I just made him the greatest meal ever.  So I guess it’s about time I learned to get creative with my son’s cuisine.

It first started with breakfast, he wasn’t loving his oatmeal the way he once was.  I understood this, who doesn’t like to shake it up a little bit? He deserves variety and options so I started mixing it up.  If your child is anything like mine, they love whatever you love, they want to be just like you, so perhaps your meals are looking a little more enticing then theirs.  This is true for my son, he LOVES whatever we love, if he can eat it off my plate then it is the coolest and most delicious thing he has ever tasted.  He always comes back for more, with mouth wide open, so I knew this what I needed to cater to.  I didn’t want to get distressed and start pressuring him to eat as this would eventually result in negative associations with meal time.  I want to continue to nurture my son’s love for food so I have to help him along the way by making his food fun and interesting.

We love smoothies for breakfast and so does my son, so this is what he shall get! Since he is a smoothie loving man, I can add in my favourite healthy foods for him and not force him to eat… Perfection!  Other options he loves to mix it up with are:

  • Gluten free Pumpkin seed & blueberry muffins (I will post recipe soon)
  • Scrambled or poached eggs
  • Blender pancakes with apple butter
  • Organic puffed corn or puffed brown rice (not cereal, just puffed grains) with goat or almond milk

More recently my son has decided that he does not want to eat the veggie and protein meals that I prepared for lunch and dinner and no convincing or tricking him with spoonfuls of apple sauce would satisfy him.  He shakes his head wildly “No, no, no, no, NO!”.  I had to think of something else.  This past week I decided to make pureed soups for our lunches and I had a thought, if my son loves to drink smoothies then perhaps he would equally enjoy drinking his vegetable soups.  Guess what? I was right, he loves drinking out of mason jars as much as I do.  So not only should we try mixing up the types of food offered, but also mix it up by allowing your child to experience food in different ways.  I put his lunch and dinner soups in mason jars and away we went, zero resistance at meal times!

Here are a few things to remember during these challenging times:

  • Children go through different growth phases and they are not always going to have a huge appetite, try and allow them to eat when they are hungry and eat until satisfied.  Do not force them to eat the same amount daily, their hunger will fluctuate and you need to allow them to learn to listen to their body’s signals.
  • Try not to get discouraged by these phases because that is all they are, a phase.  If they are having a picky week try and find ways to make food and meal time fun.  Stay positive and focus on how you can foster healthy attitudes towards food and meal times.
  • Get creative! Look at the things they do like, do they want to eat off your plate, are your foods more enticing? If so, give them the same sized plate or feed them what you are eating, try and find ways that excite them about food.  Cut fruit into shapes, let them drink their soup, add fruit into their veggie purees.
  • Dr. Sears stresses that parents should view a balanced diet by assessing their children’s weekly diet as opposed to daily, I think this makes a lot of sense and is more realistic.

Remember that this does not mean you now have a picky eater, try not to label them that way and try harder not to get distressed.  Healthy living is about the journey not the destination and you will impress yourself with how inventive you can get when given the challenge.  I know because I impresesd myself with my ability to think outside the box when given the opportunity.  To be honest, I felt those feeling of panic and thought “oh great now I have a picky eater”, but I caught myself and I changed my reaction.  I knew I could do better and be a good example for my child on how to cope with change.  I know you are capable of doing the same.

I would love to hear what you have done to help your child love food and eating.  Please share your ideas we can all learn from each other and feel less stressed as a result.

Happy eating!

Dr. Michelle

Dr. Michelle Peris is a Naturopathic Doctor whose goal is to inspire health through educating, motivating and empowering people.  She has a family based practice out of a clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

Contact Dr. Michelle today to book your 15 minute complimentary consult.

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Has PMS got hold of you? There is hope!

You’re weepy, bloated, irritated, eating large amounts of chocolate, your breasts hurt and your skin is breaking out… You’re probably thinking pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is something we all just have to live with, right?  Wrong!  Just because a condition is common does not mean it is normal.

The fact is that PMS may be due to hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, decreased liver detoxification and poor diet.  Identifying the reasons why you may be experiencing PMS allows for appropriate treatment and relief of the monthly discomfort that PMS can bring.  Yes, you may be able to “solve” your PMS problem.  Did I just hear you cheer?

First let’s talk about the particulars. PMS categories:

  • Type A – Anxiety Characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, irritability and mood swings.  This is very common as it can be experienced by up to 80% of women premenstrually.
  • Type C – Cravings Characterized by cravings for sweet and salty foods, which results in blood sugar imbalances causing fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Up to 60% of women can experience these kinds of symptoms leading up to their period.
  • Type H – Hyperhydration Characterized by water retention, bloating, weight gain, breast tenderness and swelling.
  • Type D – Depression Characterized by withdrawal from normal daily activities, insomnia, sadness and crying.  Much less common, as only 5% of women experience these symptoms, but these can be the most serious as risk of suicide must also be assessed.

Sources of PMS:

Hormonal & Neurotransmitter imbalance: Although PMS is not fully understood, it has been established that it may be due to excess estrogen, low progesterone or a low estrogen/progesterone ratio.  Identifying hormonal imbalances is key for proper treatment of PMS.  Hormones can be evaluated through blood or saliva tests, which can be requisitioned by your MD or ND.  Breast tenderness is linked to elevated estrogen levels and could be a sign of increased risk of breast cancer, so assessing hormone levels and seeking appropriate treatment is essential for breast health and breast cancer prevention.

Depression and PMS appear to be linked to a deficiency of the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA.  Likely low omega 3s and, more specifically, EPA (Omega 3 are made up of EPA and DHA) are also deficient.

Liver function & environmental exposure:  Often times, PMS symptoms are a sign of suboptimal liver function.  The liver binds excess hormones and excretes them appropriately. So if the liver is sluggish, it doesn’t do this as effectively and, therefore, we have higher hormones levels in the body.  Elevated estrogen levels have also been found to decrease bile flow.

We are exposed to so many chemical estrogen-mimicking agents.  This is very problematic since these have been linked to an increased incidence in breast cancer and hormonal imbalance.  To reduce exposure, it is essential to avoid plastics, cosmetics, lotions, soaps that contain BPAs, phalalates, DDT, PCB and PCP.

Dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies:  Excessive estrogen levels impair B6 function in the body. In fact, those taking oral contraceptives should supplement B6, otherwise they will become deficient.  Cramping and other PMS symptoms could also be due to a magnesium deficiency.  It has also been identified that women with PMS symptoms have a poorer diet.  They tend to consume more refined carbohydrates, sugar, dairy products and sodium.  Their diets also seem to be deficient in iron, manganese and zinc.

Simple changes that can make a big impact:

  • Hydrate! The more water we drink, the less water we retain.  I know sounds counter intuitive but it works, so drink up!
  • Eat a whole foods diet with minimal intake of sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy products and saturated fats.
  • Avoid plastic water bottles and products that contain xenoestrogens!
  • Limit or restrict caffeine intake.
  • Do seasonal detoxification and ensure an adequate fiber intake to support liver function and proper excretion of hormones.
  • Identify and treat possible nutrient deficiencies, all of which can be conducted by an ND and treated through individualized dietary prescription.
  • Identify and treat hormonal imbalances:  Consider having your thyroid function checked, as well as sex hormones and other hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol assessed.
  • Establish a regular exercise program that strives for 5 days of vigorous physical activity that has a balance of strength and endurance training.
  • Boost serotonin and omega 3 levels by increasing lean proteins and fats in your diet, such as turkey, eggs, fish, chicken, nuts and beans.
  • Botanical medicines such as angelica, licorice, black cohosh, ginkgo, St. John’s wort and chaste tree have been shown to be very helpful in the treatment of hormonal imbalance and PMS.  Individual prescription of these herbs is ideal and can be accomplished with a naturopath.

I hope that by increasing your understanding of PMS, you feel empowered to make some positive, healthy changes.  If you are interested in seeking treatment for these or any other health concerns I would be happy to help.

Looking forward to working with you.

Dr. Michelle

Disclaimer: Naturopathic doctors believe in providing individualized care.  The items that have been discussed are things that are good tips for the treatment of PMS, but this article shouldn’t take place of seeing an ND for specific prescription and appropriate supplementation.  Please see a Naturopathic Doctor to ensure you select a treatment indicated to best suit your personal needs.  

Dr. Michelle Peris is a Naturopathic Doctor whose goal is to inspire health through educating, motivating and empowering people.  She has a family based practice out of a clinic in Oakville, Ontario.

Contact Dr. Michelle today to book your 15 minute complimentary consult.


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