Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I have a lot of issues with PMS and bloating. I use the special pain formula with the high absorption curcumin, boswellia, DLPA and nattokinase, which really helps my cramps. But I am still so bloated, and it is really uncomfortable. I tried dandelion extract, but it didn’t really help. Do you have any suggestions?” —Markietha B., Baltimore, MD A. Dear Markietha, I am very happy to hear that you have had such success with the pain formula for your cramps. The best thing to address bloating is a formula of the bioactive form of vitamin B6, called pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P for short) and a special form of magnesium that is chelated to glycine, called magnesium glycinate. The form of vitamin B6 that you find in food and most supplements has to undergo a conversion process in the body to turn them into their bioidentical—and active—forms. Genetics, age, liver health, and other issues can greatly hamper this process, which is why you will have more powerful effects with a premium bioidentical B6. Magnesium is essential for many of the enzymatic processes in which P-5-P is also crucial, and they work much better together than separately. I emphasize using the glycinate form because other forms of magnesium are not well absorbed. If magnesium remains in your colon, it acts like a water magnet and can cause loose stools. When you use a highly absorbable form of magnesium, like magnesium glycinate, you do not have this problem. P-5-P with magnesium supports healthy fluid balance in the body. On the first day of use, you will notice that you are retaining much less fluid, and this improves as you continue to use it. An additional benefit is that vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce other symptoms of PMS as well, including feelings of nervous tension. Healthy regards! Terry . . . Naturally