H Pylori: 50% globally infected

PMS is characterised by a collection of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in the day before menstruation.

(Awanish Kumar Pandey, et al. 2013) indicated that 100% of girls tested showed a prevalence of at least one symptom of PMS, with 42.5% showing more than five symptoms.

Some of the most common psychological symptoms ranged from:

• Lethargy (83%)
• Anger and hypersomnia (74%)
• Anxiety (68.5%)
• Feeling overwhelmed (62.5%)
• Hopelessness (50%)
• Difficulty in concentrating (33.5%)
• Tearfulness (26.5%)
• Insomnia (26%)

Some of the most common physical symptoms ranged from:

• Joint or muscle pain (77.5%)
• Headaches (67%)
• Weight gain (58%)
• Backache (57.5%)
• Bloating (41%)
• Breast tenderness (31%)
• Acne (*16.5%)

*16.5% may seem low when compared with some of the other figures mentioned above, however, this still equates to 1/6 women suffering from acne every single month around their menstruation.

The conventional approach for addressing PMS uses SSRI’s, which numbs the individual along with increasing the likelihood of suicide ideation, risks post-SSRI-sexual-dysfunction and depletes melatonin.

This complex condition likely has multiple causes, with fluctuations in hormone levels and nutritional deficiencies playing key roles.

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OESTROGEN

One of the possible reasons for PMS has been associated with the excess of oestrogen relative to progesterone.

High oestrogen has also been found to increase thyroid-binding-globulin, which will reduce the activity of the thyroid hormones, further leading to apathy and a lack of energy. Ensuring oestrogen’s efficient metabolism through the correct pathways and supporting elimination from the body is paramount.

In short, this requires a range of nutrients from cruciferous vegetables, flaxseed and possibly grapefruit (grapefruit does have the ability to inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme which will decrease the metabolism of medication. Therefore grapefruit should be avoided to prevent medical complications).

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PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is also at its lowest during the time of PMS. Progesterone acts on GABA receptors in the brain to produce a calming effect along with supporting thyroid conversion, thus assisting with energy.

The consumption of Wild Yams supports progesterone.

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MAGNESIUM

Magnesium deficiencies may be causing or aggravating symptoms of PMS. Magnesium is essential for nerve, muscle function and the ability for the muscles to relax, all of which can be affected in PMS. (Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2010 Dec).

A decrease of 12.42% in serum magnesium levels have been found in the follicular phase when compared to the menstruation with magnesium levels elevating a further 7% in the luteal phase. These fluctuations portray the role of magnesium in accordance with menstruation. Magnesium can be obtained through the consumption of dark chocolate or almonds.

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IRON

In a meta-analysis, eating an iron-rich diet was linked to a 31% lower risk of developing premenstrual syndrome (Am J Epidemiol. 2013 May). Iron will be depleted during menses, thus further depleting levels. Iron is essential for energy regulation, along with being an essential a cofactor for the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, which catalyses the conversion of tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptophan, a precursor for serotonin (the neurotransmitter associated with mood and happiness).

Iron obtained from plants is likely to have reduced bioavailability within the body. It is often accompanied by phytic acid and oxolates, both of which bind with the iron to prevent absorption.

Another factor to take into account when seeking to optimise iron levels within the body is stomach acid (HCl). HCl is essential to break iron down from food for assimilation within the body.

One can complete the baking soda challenge test for indication of whether their HCl is low or not, by drinking 250ml of water mixed with 1/4tsp of baking soda first thing in the morning. If the individual belches after the 3-minute mark, this would correlate to low HCl and therefore a likelihood that the individual will have poor digestion and assimilation of iron within their body.

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ZINC

Women have a 24%–29% lower risk of PMS when in the top 2 quintiles of zinc to copper ratios (Am J Clin Nutr. 1995). Zinc deficiency is associated with depression while copper up-regulates the CYP19A1 enzyme, which leads to aromatisation of androgens to oestrogen (estradiol) while enhancing estradiol binding affinity to the oestrogen receptors, which amplifies its action.

Below are my preferred dietary sources of zinc per 100g:

• Oysters – 61mg
• Beef – 11mg
• Hemp Seeds – 10mg

Zinc is another micronutrient which requires HCl for its assimilation, therefore assessing HCl status could also correlate with the potential zinc status within the individual.

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VITAMIN B6

The effectiveness of Vitamin B6 in the treatment of PMS dates back over 40 years. Results were noted such as ‘significant decreases in all symptoms’ (Goei and Abraham, 1983), ’70% reporting good or partial response’ (Brush, 1988) and an ‘improvement in 63% of patients on pyridoxine’ (Day, 1979). The dose used within these studies ranged from 40-200mg (with possible risk of toxicity at 200mg).

Only one patient of the 940 participating in these trials indicated the presence of any side effects that could be attributed to the neuropathy associated with pyridoxine toxicity (London RS, et al. 1991).

Obtaining this level of Vitamin B6 effectively through food will be extremely difficult as these dosages are 29-115 times that of the recommended daily allowance.

Below are my preferred dietary sources of Vitamin B6 per 100g:

• Organic liver – 0.6mg
• Pistachios – 1.7mg
• Salmon – 0.9mg

Above is just an example of how proper nutrition can support and mitigate against PMS.

Got plaque?

The conventional approach uses a process known as ‘Triple Therapy’ – this is the combination of two different antibiotics in-conjunction with a proton-pump inhibitor (which lowers HCL).

Not only does this have a low success rate, but it makes the host vulnerable to infection from other pathogens and parasites post-treatment. This is due to decreased stomach acid and a lessened ability to sterilise bacteria within food along with less competitive dominance within the gastrointestinal tract due to the eradication of the microbiota (pathogenic and beneficial species) within the gut, leaving available space to harbour unwanted bacteria.

H. Pylori is starting to develop resistance to antibiotics, making the conventional approach less and less effective – leading to the ‘thought’ process of adding more medication to the mix to overcome this resistance by using ‘Quadruple Therapy’.

The Health Protection Agency reports that the prevalence of H. Pylori antibiotic resistance varies within the UK depending on location, from 20-63% for metronidazole and 4.4-11% for clarithromycin. [11]

This is one factor explaining why as many as 20% of affected individuals have a reoccurring infection even after treatment.

Another factor for reinfection is the presence of H. Pylori in the oral cavity [1–3]; therefore, failure to eliminate H. Pylori from the mouth could lead to gastrointestinal reinfection.

Gingivitis and chronic periodontitis may be associated with H. Pylori infection and considered as a potential reservoir for bacteria. [4,5]

The plaque should be removed professionally, and oral hygiene procedures should be performed along with eradication strategies of H. Pylori [6] to increase the probability of success.

One could argue that an alternative approach yields much less risk to the host when compared with the iatrogenic complications and long-term hindrance from antibiotics (especially given that a single course of antibiotics can disturb the microbiome for unto 2-4 years post-treatment [12]).

The following has been found effective when addressing H. Pylori:

• Bismuth subcitrate
• Mastic gum
• Goldenseal/Berberine
• DGL Licorice wafers
• Matula tea

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The following foods have also been found beneficial:

• Coconut oil
• Manuka honey

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All this has to be addressed with the appreciation of humans being a multi-dimensional and bi-directional organism.

Seeking advice from a trusted professional is always recommended when dealing with any health ailments.

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References:

1. Morales-Espinosa R, et al., Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2009
2. Nguyen AM, et al., Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1995
3. Miyabayashi H, et al., Helicobacter. 2000
4. Gebara EC, et al., J Clin Periodontol. 2006
5. Dye BA, et al., Am J Public Health. 2002
6. Eskandari A, et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal.
7. Abro AH, et al. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2011
8. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2014
9. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2011
10. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011
11. Surveillance of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in England and Wales; Public Health England, 2008
12. Jernberg, C, et al. 2010

If you are unfortunate and have had your palatine tonsils removed or have reoccurring infections with your tonsils, this may just help …

The group of tonsils provide:

• Protection against pathogens and toxins
• Lymphatic detox
• Excretion organ
• One of the greatest immune modulators
• Supporting the brain's glymphatic system

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This last point is massively overlooked, here’s why …

The glymphatic system is essential in mitigating risk against neuro-developmental disorders and degeneration, this ranges from Autism, Alzheimer’s through to some categories of depression.

This system clears the brain during sleep (mostly delta-wave sleep) of harmful proteins (such as amyloid-beta) and waste products by pumping the cerebral spinal fluid through the brain’s tissues. This flushes the waste into the body’s circulatory system in which it eventually reaches the liver where it can be eliminated.

This process is roughly 10 times more active during sleep as opposed to when awake. The brain also shrinks by around 60% of its original size to increase the efficiency of waste removal.

The removal of tonsils will also reduce the efficiency of the immune system, resulting in an increased chance for the development of food intolerances and possibly acting as a contributing factor towards autoimmune diseases (the severity of this risk is not currently quantifiable). If you have had your tonsils removed, there are several options you can do.

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In my opinion, here are two of the most important:

• Massage the intracranial lymph (around the jaw and neck) to improve glymphatic circulation and possibly decrease neuroinflammation
• Ensure you have a good duration and quality of sleep (promoting delta wave sleep through binaural beats, gratitude logs or specific devices may help)

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* The group of tonsils provide direct lymphatic drainage through the cribriform plate to Waldeyer’s Ring – this is a formation of lymphatic tissue situated in and around the:

• Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)
• Two tubal tonsils (posterior to Eustachian tu)
• Two palatine tonsils (this is what the tonsils is most commonly referred to)
• Lingual tonsil (base of tongue)
• Laryngeal tonsil (near the vocal cords in the larynx)