• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter Nutrition
  • About
    • Media, Interviews & Guest Posts
    • Contact
  • Praise
  • Services
    • Creating Wealth eBook
    • Metabolism FastTrack eCourse
    • Hair Analysis
      • About Hair Analysis
      • Hair Analysis – Frequently Asked Questions
    • Gut Testing
    • Fatty Acid Testing
    • Free Consult
  • The Store
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Popular
    • Digestion
    • Weight Loss
    • Thyroid
    • Metabolism
    • Hormones
    • Detoxification
    • Low Energy
    • Hair Analysis
    • Skin and Beauty
      • Essential Oils
    • Diet Review
  • Quiz
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Articles
    • Recipes
  • Services
    • FAQs
  • Praise
  • Take the Quiz!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Articles
      • Recipes
    • Services
      • FAQs
    • Praise
    • Take the Quiz!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Home » Hormones

    10 Steps to Kissing PMS & Hormonal Imbalance Goodbye for GOOD

    By Catherine on August 28, 2013 Last Updated February 8, 2023 57 Comments | No Medical Advice | This Post Contains Affiliate Links

    10 Steps to Kissing PMS & Hormonal Imbalance Goodbye for GOOD! | Butternutrition.com
    Do you have symptoms of PMS or hormonal imbalance mid-cycle (ovulation) and/or the week before your period? An unbalanced ratio of lower progesterone in relation to estrogen can cause PMS issues such as insomnia, bloating, moodiness, constipation, weight gain around the hips, thighs, and MUCH more!

    If any of these describe you:

    -Mood swings and depression around cycle time
    -Breast tenderness
    -Variations or skipped cycles
    -Vaginal dryness or itchiness
    -Excessive or scanty blood flow during periods
    -Cyclic insomnia, night sweats and fatigue

    Keep reading!

    Why does this hormonal imbalance occur?

    It’s all about three major weaknesses: the liver, nutrient deficit and toxicity. The liver is responsible for three main jobs that affect hormonal balance:

    1) Balancing blood sugar — an unhealthy liver can’t do its' job of helping to manage blood sugar and storing glycogen (sugar), so your adrenal glands kick in and activate your stress response when blood sugar falls too low. This stress steals from your body’s ability to make progesterone to support hormonal balance.

    2) Converting thyroid hormone T4 to T3 — the liver is one of the organs responsible for the conversion of thyroid hormone (converting T4- inactive form to T3- active form). If your liver is malnourished and can’t store glycogen, less T3 is the result, slowing hormone synthesis.

    3) Detoxifying toxins and used hormones from the system. Hormones are messengers sent throughout your body. When a hormone's message has been sent, the used hormones must be removed from the body (or the messages will continue to circulate causing havoc). Getting rid of used hormones from the body happens through the process of detoxification.

    So now what?

    Action steps to fight hormonal imbalance with food:

    1) Stop dieting and eat MORE food. Especially enough protein and carbs to meet your metabolic needs. Your body temperature is a good way to check and see if you’re eating enough.

    2) Nourish your liver. Increase protein to 70-100 grams+ per day based on your weight (about 20-25% of total calories). Make sure to include a wide variety of proteins to help balance muscle meats (chicken, lamb, beef, turkey, etc). This will help to create the amino acid (building blocks of protein) balance needed to reflect “eating the whole animal.” In doing this, you empower your liver’s natural detoxification process to help your body take out the trash, and detoxify estrogen properly.

    3) Balance blood sugar by eating protein/fats/carbs together during each meal, and eating frequently to help stabilize blood sugar (especially important for those with blood sugar handling issues). Read more blood sugar tips here.

    4) Reduce stressors and inflammation factors. This could be a variety of things- lack of sleep, insufficient fuel, or food sensitivities (since they activate the stress response).

    Reduce cellular inflammation levels by optimizing your omega fatty acid balance (find out if this is a factor for you with fatty acid testing). Then use your results to make dietary changes to support healthier cells and flip the switch on inflammation.

    5) Increase hormone synthesis promoters and therapeutic nutrients in the diet using food: Thyroid (T3), Vitamin E, B6, Vitamin C, magnesium, zinc and bright lights (sun, etc).

    6) Decrease hormone synthesis blockers: this includes unsaturated fats (PUFA), excess estrogen (hormone replacement, birth control, or a malnourished liver that can't adequately detoxify used estrogen), ultraviolet light, x-rays, and excess iron (from fortified foods, vitamins, or muscle meat heavy diet).

    7) Eat easy to digest foods to reduce endotoxin that can back up the liver (especially important for those with digestive distress). This means more easy to digest carbohydrates (ripe fruits and honey), roots, tubers, and dairy products (if tolerated).

    8) Up your magnesium levels. You can do this with transdermal magnesium or Epsom salt baths. For baths, take with 1-4 cups of Epsom salts (magnesium), while soaking for 15-30 minutes a few times a week prior to bed (increase Epsom salt amounts slowly).

    9) Get enough fiber: eating enough fiber helps to feed to beneficial gut bacteria and aids in estrogen detoxification; supporting healthy hormone levels.

    10) Listen to your body. It’s ALWAYS talking to you. Are you listening?

    11) Avoid nutrient excess that can burden your liver. Iron overload, copper overload, and vitamin A toxicity are three common liver stressing situations to look into.

    Beyond your diet

    Other considerations that can largely impact your hormones and cause PMS like symptoms are things like gut infections, mineral deficiencies (check using hair analysis) and inflammation. These tests can help give you more data on your body and help you identify if you need even more support so you can get rid of your PMS for good.

    If you loved this blog post, you'll love the Creating Wealth eBook, full of actionable tips and guidelines for how to create your own custom nutrition plan! So you can get closer to those health goals of yours without the confusion and guesswork that slows you down!

     

    Ready to combat your hormonal issues by understanding your body?

    What helps your hormonal imbalance or PMS? Please share your strategies in the comments!

    PIN IT:
    10 STEPS TO Kissing PMS & HORMONAL IMBALANCE Goodbye FOR GOOD! | Butternutrition.com

    References:
    Peat, Raymond. Natural Estrogens. Retrieved on May 15, 2013, from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/natural-estrogens.shtml
    Peat, Raymond. Nutrition for Women. Eugene, OR: 1993.
    Weatherby, Dicken. Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Nutritional Therapy Association, 2004. Print.

    More Articles You May Enjoy

    • 3 Steps to REVERHow To REVERSE a slow metabolism naturally! | Butter Nutrition
      3 Steps to Reverse a Slow Metabolism Naturally! (#1 is an eye opener!)
    • WWhat your doctor won't tell you about hormone imbalance | Butter Nutrition
      What I wish your doctor told you about hormone imbalance
    • Estrogen Dominance: The hormonal imbalance that can cause weight gain, edema, PMS, infertility & more! | Butter Nutrition
      11 Signs of Estrogen Dominance
    • Think there's NOTHING you can do about varicose veins? Think again!

    About Catherine

    Hi there! I’m Catherine Crow. Seattle-based Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Educator, Diet Investigator, and Coconut Milk Ice Cream Enthusiast. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements. Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

    Free Report: How To Reverse A Slow Metabolism

    When your body decides to slow your metabolism it’s all about one thing: survival! It’s not about your body trying to conspire against you and ruin your life. It’s your body making a wise decision to sacrifice long-term health for short-term survival because it’s being told to do so (usually through food/nutrient scarcity). The slowing of the metabolism allows your body to go longer on less food. The body also tends to hold on to fat as a protective mechanism, which isn't exactly what most people are going for! Ready to learn what is slowing your metabolism and what you can do about it? Subscribe below to get access to my FREE Metabolism Report: Why Your Metabolism Was Fast, But Now It's Slow:

    Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please note: using an affiliate link does not change the price of the product, instead the seller pays Butter Nutrition a small commission. My thoughts on these products are my own.

    Paid Endorsement Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Join the Conversation Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1. Mary@Homemade Dutch Apple Pie

      August 29, 2013 at 4:16 am

      LOVE this post!!!! Exactly what I'm going through right now. I'm trying to eat, eat, eat to make up for restrictions in the past and let my body heal (got my temps back into the 98's now after they used to be 91/92!!!). I knew I needed to get my liver working well, but wasn't sure how. Thanks for all the great, easy-to-incorporate tips!! Hopefully I can get my thyroid and reproductive system back on track.

      Reply
      • Catherine

        August 29, 2013 at 7:12 am

        Thanks Mary! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Catherine

        Reply
    2. tahani

      August 29, 2013 at 5:19 am

      Excellent article.

      Reply
    3. Audrey

      September 10, 2013 at 3:34 pm

      What about if you have to take iron because you are trying to heal severe anemia? I take only natural/herbal/food based iron supplements and grassfed/hormone free liver.

      Reply
      • Megan

        September 11, 2013 at 10:32 am

        I don't know if this would be helpful, but when we are anemic we take unsulphured blackstrap molasses for an iron supplement. It seems to work much better than other supplements without any side effects - except the taste- bleh. It's easily absorbed by the body, so less is needed than needed with supplements.

        Reply
        • Audrey

          September 11, 2013 at 1:12 pm

          Megan, Thank you. I had forgotten about unsulfured blackstrap molasses for iron deficiency. Do you think it is less of a "hormone synthesis blocker"?

          Reply
          • Megan

            October 08, 2013 at 9:55 am

            I would think so, but I'm not sure. I do know that I feel so much better when I take it. I just have to get past the reluctance to take it because of the taste.

            Reply
        • Ashley

          October 13, 2014 at 6:38 am

          Thank you so much for mentioning the molasses! I've been at my whit's end trying to figure out what to give my kids. They are iron-deficient, one is actually anemic, but I am so opposed to giving them a synthetic iron supplement, for many reasons, but especially b/c of the constipation it causes. I've been giving desiccated liver supplements, but there's really not a ton of iron in them. I'm definitely going to look into the molasses! Many blessings to you!

          Reply
    4. Meghan

      September 10, 2013 at 5:44 pm

      I enjoyed this article. I struggle with not eating dairy but cannot due to my almost 16 month old's intolerance and I am still breastfeeding. I am in the process of contacting homeopathic medicine but currently take levothyroxine 75 mcg and have recently added b-12 to my daily intake b/f of such low energy, high anxiety, and really messed up mood swings. there are so many health benefits to red wine and recent articles show it is depressive fighting as well. Thoughts on how badly this effects the liver??

      Reply
      • Leah

        January 04, 2014 at 7:12 pm

        Hi Meghan! I too have underactive thyroid and still struggled with many hypothyroid symptoms despite a "perfect" T-4 level.

        Then I read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Thyroid-Madness-Revolution-Treatment/dp/0615477127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388891396&sr=8-1&keywords=stop+the+thyroid+madness

        I found a wonderful nurse practitioner who is helping me actually address the Thyroid problems that conventional medicine just tries to medicate away (with antidepressants and the like). I would highly recommend reading through the book! Best of wishes!

        Reply
    5. Cammy H

      September 20, 2013 at 7:23 am

      Earlier in the year I took used bioidentical progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. The only one that tested low was my testosterone. The Doc wanted me to take all 3. I normally don't do what doctors suggest and....this is why. Until that time, I was having regular cycles on my own. After the two months, I decided to stop the hormones . The new blood tests showed my testosterone was much lower after using the BHRT. The doc wanted me to up the dosage. I was afraid of the side effects of what I was already using.So, I stopped them. I have not had a cycle since then. It has been 6 months. Right now I am sleeping in a darkened room and taking FCLO 3 Tablespoons per day. I eat an all organic diet that includes butter and coconut oil etc. Do you have any suggestions for what I could try?

      Reply
    6. Rachael

      September 30, 2013 at 7:31 am

      Definitely learned some new information here! I'm working to balance hormones to regulate my cycle and reduce my PCOS symptoms. The funny thing is that a lot of what you wrote is what my body told me!

      I eat at least 2 free-range, pastured eggs daily, lots of simple to digest foods like honey, and I even eat a lot of gelatin.

      And this morning, I'm set to pick up liver from a local farmer, because I really feel it might help me out.

      Hopefully this stuff will all help! I think so much of my imbalance stems from stress, and I think my body has a hard time of recovering from that because of so much long-term stress-related damage.

      Will be checking out more of your posts on this stuff. So glad to be part of the same network as someone with such GREAT information! 🙂

      Reply
      • Catherine

        October 08, 2013 at 9:43 am

        Thanks Rachael <3!

        Reply
      • Megan

        October 08, 2013 at 10:13 am

        I too have PCOS and think I must have Endometriosis also along with adhesions from 5 c-sections. My body has told me for years to eat like is outlined above, but since it went against what all the "experts" said, I didn't listen. I'm learning to listen better now, but it's a process. This year we went off gluten because I thought it would help one of my kids. It did help her some, and help another also, but the biggest change for me was my PMS. I don't have the terrible cravings, mood swings, horrible cramps, bloating, and it cut my flow from 7-10 days to 4-5. Gluten is not my friend.

        Reply
    7. Raven

      November 06, 2013 at 8:18 am

      This was a great post! It came at a perfect time, since I am researching hormonal imbalances due to suffering from them at this time. I loved your post so much, I shared it on my facebook page! Hope you don't mind. 🙂

      Reply
    8. Cassie

      November 12, 2013 at 12:00 am

      Hmmm...This makes me wonder about the raw carrot "diet". I'm about 28 weeks pregnant, and for the past week have been eating 2 medium to large raw carrots as a snack around 10:30 in the morning. The past three days in particular my moods have been pretty icky and irritable! Wondering if that could cause it at all? (I do eat VERY well...all natural sugar if any, lots of meat, seeds, veggies and real food.)

      Reply
    9. Megan Pickrel

      January 05, 2014 at 9:00 am

      Thank you for this wonderful article! I am THRILLED to see this sort of information well-organized and integrated into comprehensive posts for the public's self-education. It has been a long time in coming! Bravo on your work! Might I suggest looking into progesterone supplementation through a transdermal, bio-identical cream in addition to these dietary changes? Also, avoiding environmental xenoestrogens. Keep up the good work!

      Reply
    10. Kellee Harris

      January 08, 2014 at 7:08 am

      Do you have any more nutritional info or resources for diet changes to help with endometriosis and rupturing ovarian cysts? My 24-yr-old daughter has been suffering from these issues for the past 4 years, and after a countless trips to the ER and her gyn telling her to have her ovaries removed, we switched to a naturopath and are testing different diets, with huge changes. Thanks for any info you can share - great post!

      Reply
      • Shulamit

        January 18, 2014 at 9:49 pm

        To Kellee,
        some years ago I had the same issues like you daughter.After each pregnancy it started again.The doctor told me I had two choices:To get pregnant or get homeopathic treatment.The second helped very quickly,the symptoms and pain got less after a week already.That was back in France and I don`t have the names of the homeopathic globules and drops anymore,but you might get advice from a doctor who works in that field.

        Reply
    11. Sara

      January 09, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      What are the best supplements for vegetarians to use that can help balance hormones?

      Reply
    12. Shulamit

      January 18, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      Thanks for all of your helpful articles I`ve come across so far.What I crave just a week before is yoghurt and dark chocolate-the one with some sugar, but up to 60% cacao.Now in winter I can just pack big pieces of butter onto my food.It helps me to feel better.Most months the PMS is really bad though.I had it one time last year that I had no symptoms at all,but can`t remember what I did different.

      Reply
    13. Isabelle Stasev

      October 12, 2014 at 4:53 pm

      I really love reading everything you post. I have never been on silly deprivation diets. I have always eaten fresh food and natural fats like pure butter, extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil and have never had a weight probelm.
      People need to hat if you eat more calories than you use, you will gain weight.

      Processed food is also a killer, full of hidden and dangerous fats. I make all our dinners from scratch as much as I can. I have a heart condition, which was caused from rheumatic fever was I was 5yo, so I have always kept to a sensible diet and
      exercised.

      Reply
      • Corine

        December 27, 2014 at 6:46 pm

        Processed foods are a killer indeed. But rethink, everything is processed. Eat organic only. Do not consume gmos. Monsanto is out to kill.

        Reply
    14. kelly

      November 03, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      I didn't understand the reference to temperature and protein - can you elaborate?

      Reply
    15. Corine

      December 27, 2014 at 6:43 pm

      I was just put on birth control because I am 24 and haven't had a period in 4 years. However reading up on it really concerned me so I haven't taken it yet. I think I will continue doing research because I know my hormones are out of wack.

      Also about the liver thing to those interested, get some reishi tea, it detoxes the liver. I've seen it do miraculous things! I drink it since I've been on heavy narcotics for 5 years. The cheapest I can find is on vitaminlife.com

      Reply
    16. Dutchie

      January 23, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      I actually love eating as described above,sometimes my mood&libido have never been like that before,but it actually causes harm to my body. My digestive system&liver (and my physique) don't like it at all which eventually leads to hormonal imbalances,in my case estrogen dominance/edema and hirsutism(high androgen levels?).
      I've tried starches in the past,but they gave me jointpains eventually.
      The closer I get to my period,the more my body seems to love eating only greens with protein&fat (and occasional goatcheese),my body seems to actually flourish on it but my mind seems to constantly sabotage me&become very OCD about food etc.,not to mention the blandness of that kind of diet.

      Reply
    17. Katie

      March 16, 2015 at 8:13 am

      I think the hardest thing for me was having all hormones balanced, by my super awesome doctor, and then everything going to hell after I began an exercising regiment (boot camp). Needless to say, I am going back to see him. I think the biggest mistake I made was limiting carbs. That was a very silly idea. I am back to eating loads of oranges.

      Reply
    18. Mark

      March 18, 2015 at 2:43 am

      These are great tips! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    19. Dr. Deborah @ PeriodCrampsRelief.com

      April 16, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      It's also very helpful for many women to identify their food sensitivities, in order to remove or at least remove trigger foods from the diet. Foods your body can't digest well set up a low-grade chronic inflammation, and that excess inflammation contributes to your period pain (because pain is an inflammatory dynamic). Certainly a whole-foods diet as discussed in the article is critical, since so much of the garbage in processed food includes chemicals which are "xenoestrogens" - foreign estrogen-like compounds that trigger excess estrogen activity in the body. And that means pain and PMS.

      Reply
    20. Mary Murphy

      July 21, 2015 at 1:43 pm

      Hi, can you please explain the correlation between body temperature and eating enough? I've never heard this, very interesting. Thank you!

      Reply
    21. JB

      August 07, 2015 at 10:34 am

      Hi, I recently found your site and have loved every post I've read so far. This one seems to ring a bell with me currently, because after 3 healthy/term pregnancies (my kiddos are 2/4/6), I had a few miscarriages (one back in November (13wks) and another this past May (9wks). I'm 35 years old and we follow a traditional foods diet for the most part in our home. I've been annoyingly healthy most of my life, except for premature graying hair 🙂 and I hadn't had PMS issues for years (probably since high school). Never prevented or planned a pregnancy, but haven't had any trouble getting pregnant and my cycles are predictable. About two weeks after this last miscarriage, I felt a few sharp ovarian pains, like maybe I was ovulating and then I woke up in the middle of the night with my ears ringing and my limbs feeling like sand bags. Along with that came extreme upper stomach pain (directly under the bra line), insomnia and heart palpitations (which in turn caused panic attacks/adrenaline rushes on my part of being thrown into a rollercoaster of hormones, I guess). At the time I was still having some uterine bleeding from the miscarriage so I was not sure if that was the cause, but we ruled out infection and multiple labs were drawn. the only thing anyone could find was high serum b12 levels (which made me think I was not absorbing it at the cellular level). At the time, I was on some new methyl B12 &L5MTHF for MTHFR, but the functional medicine doc thought maybe I was having a histamine response to those, and took me off all supps except omegas and mag, and ordered an organic acids test (still waiting on those results). My applied kinesologist/chiropractor put me on some hypothalmex, dessicated adrenals, and zypan.
      I finally got a few nights of rest towards the end of that cycle but when a new one started up the insomnia came back and now at day 14 all of those same feelings are back. Thinking maybe progesterone dropped too dramatically, causing high estrogen? I've been eating well, and following a lot of your recommendations. My digestion is regular again (although I'm still on Zypan), but it took a while to reintroduce a lot of my normal foods (even bone broth and s sauerkraut) that suddenly became irritating. Does any of this sound familiar? Do you have any ideas on how to help the ringing ears? I'm thinking it's also sign of low progesterone? Or low blood sugar? It wakes me in the middle of the night, sometimes a few times, so sleep still isn't nearly as good as it usually would be. I've been doing a lot of deep breathing, even in the middle of the night, and it helps, but I'd love to know if I'm able to resolve this without supps/meds. I've also been snacking more often and at bedtime, in case blood sugar is the issue. Do you know how long it takes for hormones to balance following a miscarriage? Last time, I had a cycle 28 days prior to our loss, and never felt a big change....
      Thank you for your time and all the wealth of info you provide us fellow crunchies! 🙂

      Reply
    22. lautie

      August 20, 2015 at 1:07 pm

      I received a Oliver transplant 2/15. I am finally well, except it surely did a number with my hormones. Aenemic from excessive menstrual cycles. Taking progesterone, but now I cannot stop the Wright gain. Water retention. I take 80 Mg lasix twice dsily, but it is not taking care of the fluid in my abdomen and thighs. Can you give me any advice?

      Reply
    23. Mary

      October 15, 2015 at 12:25 am

      GREAT POST!

      Reply
    24. OE

      October 15, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      No offense Catherine, but when a skinny girl tells me to "do not diet, eat more" I tend to be quite skeptical.

      Reply
    25. Mads

      November 11, 2015 at 12:28 am

      I would really like to see some references for the claims you make here, especially because most of it seems quite inaccurate. For example stating that PMS is not normal, that the liver plays part in T3 and T4 synthesis (this happens in the thyroid gland, fyi), the relationship between thyroid hormones and blood glucose. Very doubtful indeed.

      Reply
      • Catherine

        November 11, 2015 at 10:12 am

        Hi Mads,

        I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this!

        If you take a look at the "references" at the bottom of the article you'll find what you're looking for.

        Abundantly,
        Catherine

        Reply
        • Mads

          November 11, 2015 at 10:56 am

          A scientific fact isn't something we can agree to disagree on, something is either true or not. I would hardly call 3 unspecific references to the same naturopath as well as some alternative medicine book reputable sources. It also still doesn't answer the questions of where you got those specific facts from, since there are no in text citations.

          Reply
    26. Dr. Deborah @ PeriodCrampsRelief.com

      November 11, 2015 at 3:16 pm

      If I can add to Catherine's response to Mads...
      As a physician, I will confirm that PMS is not normal. It occurs for 1 or more of 3 primary reasons: 1) excess inflammation, 2) excess toxicity (including but not limited to toxicity from exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals) and 3) hormonal imbalance. I treat women with PMS on a frequent basis, and by addressing those 3 angles (which corrects the woman's physiology), I frequently see PMS resolve completely or decrease dramatically. When restoring proper physiological function corrects previous symptomatology, it becomes clear that PMS is abnormal. Not everyone wants to do the work to correct the problem, and that's each individual's right, but for women who are suffering, it's correctable.

      I think the T4/T3 question could be a matter of semantics. It's true that T4 synthesis occurs in the thyroid gland. However, conversion of T4 hormone to T3 hormone happens in the peripheral tissues, most notably the liver and kidneys. It's probably more precise to say "conversion," but it's not actually inaccurate to say synthesis in the case of T3, because the last step of its synthesis is happening (at least primarily) outside the thyroid gland.

      Many blessings,
      Dr. Deborah Epstein, ND (naturopathic doctor)
      http://www.periodcrampsrelief.com - where you can download a free article on getting relief from PMS, especially menstrual cramps

      Reply
      • Mads

        November 12, 2015 at 2:08 am

        Thanks for your comment, Deborah. I would really like to see some scientific references to back up the idea that PMS is not normal, instead of your opinion as a naturopath.

        Reply
    27. Dr. Deborah @ PeriodCrampsRelief.com

      November 12, 2015 at 11:51 am

      This is not based on my "opinion as a naturopath" but my clinical experience as a physician. Likewise, the references given before are written by a physician and a PhD. If your scientific credentials or training top any of us, I'd be curious to understand your field and basis of your own scientific background.

      In the meantime:
      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23444100
      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11372908

      Many blessings
      Dr. Epstein

      Reply
      • Mads

        November 16, 2015 at 10:59 am

        Dr. Epstein, I like how the references you provided contradict many of the claims made in this article and by no means support the ideas outlined here. Also, if you are referring to Raymond Peat, we are talking about someone who refers to "pregnenolone, progesterone, thyroid hormone, and coconut oil" as "life-supporting substances" and talks about "energy-protective materials". Does that sound like pseudo-science to you? Because it should. It's also interesting to note here that he has a whopping 0 published articles listed on PubMed, regardless of his myriad of qualifications.

        From the PubMed article you linked to:

        "The causes of PMS and PMDD are uncertain, but are likely associated with aberrant responses to normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.[1]" With emphasis on NORMAL HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS. NORMAL. PMS possibly occurs in response to those normal changes, and it seems to affect some women more than others.

        After spending much time reading through them, however, I could find no mention of "1) excess inflammation, 2) excess toxicity (including but not limited to toxicity from exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals) and 3) hormonal imbalance" as you suggested or "two major weaknesses: the liver and a nutrient deficit" as this article states as the cause of PMS.

        1. Chocano-Bedoya, Patricia O., et al. "Intake of selected minerals and risk of premenstrual syndrome." American journal of epidemiology 177.10 (2013): 1118-1127.

        Reply
        • Dr. Deborah @ PeriodCrampsRelief.com

          November 16, 2015 at 12:53 pm

          I provided those references to help out in your request for references stating that PMS is abnormal. Besides the fact that "normal" conditions are not usually listed in pathology books, clearly these researches were studying an aberrant condition, not a normal one.

          I suppose you have publications indexed in PubMed? I'm sure we'd all like to read them. Please provide a link.

          Dr. Epstein

          Reply
          • Mads

            November 17, 2015 at 1:55 am

            Dr. Epstein, you repeatedly attempt to attack my person, yet you haven't been able to answer any of the questions I've asked or back up a single statement you've made. The important bit here is that you claim to be a doctor treating PMS symptoms, and have written a book about the idea that PMS is caused by "excess inflammation", "excess toxicity" and "hormonal imbalance", so it ought to be easy for you to provide evidence to support those statements. Don't you have a responsibility towards your clients to provide them with reliable information? Or do you have the same attitude towards them when they dare question you?

            About your question on my own research, I would be happy to provide you with a link as soon as my work is published and available on PubMed, in the meantime you are welcome to check out my blog for some articles that I've written. If someone were to question my work, however, I'd have no problem providing them with scientific references and my own findings, since my work is based on solid scientific evidence. Members of the scientific community are generally very open to have their own work scrutinized and challenged, as it is an integral part of producing credible, quality work. This is called "peer-reviewing", since you seem to be unfamiliar with the scientific process.

            Reply
            • Elisa245

              June 09, 2016 at 12:28 am

              Wow you're annoying. "Mads". Do you need a reference for that?

    28. Mads

      November 16, 2015 at 11:26 am

      Dr. Epstein, I like how the references you give contradict many of the claims made in this article and by no means support the ideas outlined here. Also, if you are referring to Raymond Peat, we are talking about someone who refers to "pregnenolone, progesterone, thyroid hormone, and coconut oil" as "life-supporting substances" and talks about "energy-protective materials". Does that sound like pseudo-science to you? Because it should. It's also interesting to note here that he has a whopping 0 published articles listed on PubMed, regardless of his myriad of qualifications.

      From the PubMed article you linked to:

      "The causes of PMS and PMDD are uncertain, but are likely associated with aberrant responses to normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.[1]" With emphasis on NORMAL HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS. NORMAL. PMS possibly occurs in response to those normal changes, and it seems to affect some women more than others.

      After spending much time reading through them, however, I could find no mention "1) excess inflammation, 2) excess toxicity (including but not limited to toxicity from exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals) and 3) hormonal imbalance" as you suggested or "two major weaknesses: the liver and a nutrient deficit" as this article states as the cause of PMS.

      1. Chocano-Bedoya, Patricia O., et al. "Intake of selected minerals and risk of premenstrual syndrome." American journal of epidemiology 177.10 (2013): 1118-1127.

      Reply
      • cb

        March 19, 2017 at 5:25 am

        Hi Mads,

        It's been a while, and perhaps you won't see my reply, but maybe you receive email updates.

        In short, I think it's time for you to do your own research into the subjects you purport to want to know about, rather than making it the responsibility of others to educate you. It's called "empowerment." Try it sometime. It's also called the library, science journals (which are abundant with answers to your very questions), and, as a last resort, google.

        You might also consider your attitude. The blogger - and her readers - do not owe you anything.

        Reply
    29. MC

      December 07, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      I can add a note here about my own experience. After coming off the of the hormonal IUD that shall not be named (!), my cycles and moods were on a roller coaster ride! I read somewhere about the benefit of raw carrots and decided to try it -especially right before, during and after my cycles. Wow, what a difference! I now devotedly keep a big bag of organic carrots in the fridge at all times. It may not be the answer for everyone but I can attest (non-scientifically, of course!) that this has worked for me. I'm already on a pretty clean diet so maybe this was why.

      Reply
    30. Kristi

      November 29, 2016 at 3:28 pm

      'Mads' -Here are references that you should really check out to further educate yourself:
      http://www.inc.com/articles/2000/07/19634.html
      http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-direct-without-being-a-jerk-2011-2
      http://www.mannersmentor.com/gracious-living/how-to-win-an-argument-graciously
      http://www.judyringer.com/resources/articles/being-heard-6-strategies-for-getting-your-point-across.php
      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elevate/how-to-get-your-point-acr_b_8337602.html
      Please take note. You will probably be heard and/or be taken more seriously if you weren't so demeaning, degrading, passive-aggressive, and/or just downright malicious with your every breath. It might make you a happier individual as well, if you practice things of this nature and possibly even meditate to help with the hatefulness that exudes from your pores. I truly feel sorry and very sad for people like yourself. And the unfortunate truth of the matter is people concentrate more on your repulsivenesss rather than the points that you genuinely are trying to make, so your goal was not accomplished, and I'm sure you do not feel accomplished in persuading others with your views because with that attitude & mentality... well... it doesn't get you far in society. Best wishes to you on your search for inner peace.

      Reply
      • kasia

        January 02, 2017 at 9:59 am

        Thank you Mads for bringing some reality check to this freeform speculations. So we now live in times when rigorous science and its advocacies are considered obstinate jerks. We are back to medieval darkness, except instead of witches and shamans we have naturopaths and self-proclaimed web doctors. Way to go, humanity!

        Reply
    31. monika

      April 27, 2017 at 9:11 am

      What are your thoughts on very low dose HRT (estrogen and progesterone) - specifically the Estropatch and Prometrium? I am essentially going through menopause (though not even CLOSE to the age and have osteoporosis). I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks so much <3

      Reply
      • Catherine

        November 20, 2020 at 12:02 am

        I'm not a doctor so I won't comment on medical therapies.

        Abundantly,
        Catherine

        Reply
    32. Jovana

      August 01, 2017 at 5:30 am

      Proteins and dairy products are making human liver owervelmed. So-not helping it at all!

      Reply
    33. faith

      September 17, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      As Magnesium salt helps in formation of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone, is it same for a person who has high testosterone to take these salt baths? Will it help or aggravate the condition?

      Reply
    34. Christy

      October 11, 2017 at 9:59 am

      I eat as natural as I can, but still seem to have problems. With me being in the busy time of my life with young kids, sometimes it is hard to make time for good nutrition. I do love juicing beets, ginger, carrots, and apple. It's amazing how much better I feel after I drink this juice mixture.

      Reply
    35. Shikey

      April 12, 2018 at 1:36 am

      Great Post & Good Job keep it up. Thanks

      Reply
    36. Gypsy

      June 29, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      How can I help migraines around or leading up to ovulation? Sometimes last 3 days in a row and are terrible. Seems to be a spike in estrogen is how I feel .

      Reply
      • Catherine

        June 29, 2022 at 4:14 pm

        You may find this post helpful: https://butternutrition.com/estrogen-dominance-hormonal-imbalance/

        Abundantly,
        Catherine

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Catherine

    As a nutritional therapist, my passion is education. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements! Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

    Follow on:

    • Facebook

      45k

    • Instagram

      2k

    • Pinterest

      61k

    • Tiktok

      13k

    Quiz: Are you in nutritional debt?

    Get your free customized results!

    Take the Quiz

    3 Nutrition Secrets

    Grab the 3 Nutrition Secrets You Must Know for Your Health to THRIVE!

    Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

    What Others Are Reading:

    • WARNING: 6 Supplements Not To Take Without Testing
    • Why I Don't Recommend Pink Himalayan Salt
    • Pro-Metabolic Ray Peat Diet Review
    • Is Your Chronic Gut Issue Really a Liver/Gallbladder Issue?
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Get The eBook!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Catherine
    • Client Praise
    • Media/Interviews/Guest Posts
    • Newsletter Sign Up

    Fine Print

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility
    • Terms of Use

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    Copyright © 2023 Butter Nutrition LLC