NUTRITION AUTHOR
Shannon Dolan
HONORING THE FEMALE RHYTHM n Nutritional therapy practitioner, Shannon Dolan, shares how to honor the rhythm of the menstrual cycle through nutrition and exercise.
W
hen balanced correctly, the menstrual cycle can work to the female athlete’s advantage. The menstrual cycle consists of four key phases. Each phase has different nutrition and physical needs to provide a woman with sufficient support. Below is a breakdown of each of these four phases along with tips for attaining balance and harmony throughout the process.
Menstruation
The menstruation phase starts on the first day of bleeding and lasts 3-7 days. During this period, the body is shedding the uterine lining that was built up over the course of one’s cycle. This phase can give tremendous insight to the current health of a woman. At the start of menstruation, estrogen and progesterone are low, but gradually rise overtime. What to expect: On the first day of your period, energy may be low and your body may crave more foods due to the increase in metabolism that occurs from the luteal phase (see details below). PMS, cramps and heavy periods, while common, are not normal. If you are experiencing these symptoms, there is an underlying issue that needs to be managed.
OCTOBER 2020
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