Hosted by the International Culture Federation (ICF) and organized by M2 CPN Clinic (M2 Registered Professional Nutritionist Clinic), the online health salon continued at 2:00 p.m. on December 13, 2022. Registered Professional Nutritionists and trainees from Hâvre de santé joyeux et paisible (Quebec), Markham CPN Clinic, Julia CPN Clinic, and London CPN Clinic were invited to participate.
The topic of this session was the second half of “Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD),” presented by Julia Wong, instructor at the Canadian College of Public Health.
PMDD refers to emotional/behavioral/physical symptoms that typically begin about one week before menstruation, peak just before bleeding starts, and improve rapidly after onset of bleeding. Symptoms may include: breast tenderness; lower-abdominal bloating/edema of the limbs; weight gain/abdominal pain/appetite changes; sleep disturbances; poor concentration; irritability or depression. An estimated 40–80% of women have experienced some of these symptoms, but only about 5% are severely affected to the point of disrupting daily life.
Health management for PMDD may include:
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Aromatherapy: chamomile, clary sage, lavender, rose…
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Mind–body & lifestyle: meditation, yoga, exercise, acupuncture, warm baths, castor-oil hot compresses.
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Dietary approaches: small, frequent meals (to prevent bloating and GI discomfort); more fruits and vegetables; choose complex carbohydrates (whole grains); reduce salt/salty foods; avoid caffeine and alcohol; increase high-protein foods (to support tryptophan levels).
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Functional nutrition interventions: EPA, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, ginkgo, St. John’s wort, chasteberry.
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Rest / cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
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Seek medical care if symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily activities.
During the lecture, Ms. Wong emphasized that each functional nutrient suits specific populations, and that appropriate health testing plus carefully trialing different nutrients and observing one’s responses can help identify what works best for long-term benefit.
This was a public-interest lecture, hosted by Maggie Yu, Chief Nutritionist of M2 CPN Clinic. After the talk, she noted that because of dietary patterns and broader living environments, populations tend to show shared symptoms at different times. For example, in the wake of COVID-19, diabetes and overweight have become widespread concerns, which is why ketogenic diets and fasting protocols are being promoted in many places. As professionals, Registered Professional Nutritionists must objectively assess each client’s situation and weigh the pros and cons of various approaches to help clients choose the most appropriate health-management plan.
Given China’s recent easing of pandemic controls and the resulting large-scale COVID infections, M2 CPN Clinic will pause one scheduled lecture in early January and, together with Hâvre de santé joyeux et paisible (Quebec) and Julia CPN Clinic, hold a special session sharing case studies from the past three years on using functional nutrition interventions for COVID-related symptoms. Everyone is welcome to watch for the event announcement.
