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What’s the Story with Dairy?

Is dairy good or bad for PMS? Most PMS experts encourage to increase their consumption of dairy products. They are source of calcium, which alleviates PMS symptoms; they vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption; and they contain sugar, lactose, which also enhances calcium absorption.

Milk and milk products, such as cheese and yogurt are but not everyone can have them. People who are lactose for example, can’t readily digest dairy foods. If you are intolerant, consider adding firm cheese, yogurt, and buttermilk, which are all naturally low in lactose, to your diet. Or try lactose-milk.

Some PMS experts, especially those advocating alternative medicine or vegetarian approaches, believe that dairy worsens PMS symptoms. They argue that the lactose in dairy products can block the body's ability to absorb magnesium, which helps to regulate estrogen levels, and increases its excretion. If you are concerned about getting calcium but want to stay away from dairy, there are plenty of nondairy foods that are rich in calcium, including tofu; green vegetables such as broccoli, Swiss chard, kale, and spinach; okra; sauerkraut; cabbage; soybeans; rutabaga; figs; salmon; sardines with bones; and dry beans.

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  4. What’s the Story with Dairy?
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