Two months before my 30-never-you-mind birthday, and after a particularly decadent weekend, I decided to detox, which included an experiment with veganism. It was surprisingly easy for me, living in a major metropolitan area (New York), laden with farmers' markets during the summer and 24-hour produce stands year-round. I made a made a conscious effort to get my nutrients from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soy, and seitan. Of course, proximity to great vegan restaurants was a bonus.
After the first month, I gradually started adding back fish, then meat. I continued, however, to abstain from dairy. So far, my diet had resulted in increased energy and decreased weight, and an unexpected benefit. My period, which operated on its own calendar, anywhere from 32-36 days, arrived promptly on day 28, with little fanfare, sparing me the assorted pain and other fun.
This first instance, it was difficult to pinpoint the cause, or rather alleviation, of my suffering, as I had cut back on a variety of possible triggers other than dairy -- processed food, red meat, alcohol, and caffeine. But by the second month and cycle, while most foods had been re-introduced to my diet with the exception of dairy, my period was also lighter and I had fewer cramps. Thus, I began to notice a pattern.
I'm sure an overall decrease in the amount of chemical-laden, bio-engineered foods in general played a role, but there is research suggesting a link between dairy and increased cramping. Prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals that produce muscle contractions and cramping, are created from arachidonic acid, a fatty acid found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and ice cream. Excess dairy can also promote high levels of estrogen, which are implicated in fibroids, a secondary cause of painful periods.
If reducing or eliminating dairy, women must be especially mindful to obtain the daily requirements of calcium, which -- in addition to being essential for bone growth and retention -- can also minimize symptoms of PMS and menstruation. Calcium can be obtained from sources such as kale, spinach, soy, nuts and beans. Calcium and vitamin D, whatever the source, have a host of benefits, bone mass just being one of them. Many people can tolerate and digest dairy...as for myself, the jury is still out. Two months is not long enough to recognize the effects of food elimination...I'm gonna try at least 6 without dairy…barring a few moments here and there of manchego weakness.
[photo credit: Getty Images]
