Some tricks for a healthy pelvic floor

Pelvic Floor Food

1. Water

"Drinking plenty of water will hydrate your body and flush out toxins, keeping your colon intact. Dehydration can lead to bowel dysfunction, primarily constipation, and constipation can play a huge role in contributing to a weakened pelvic floor. You should avoid caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea and fizzy drinks), as they are a diuretic and bladder irritant, and can cause the bladder and any part of the pelvis to become overactive. Bladder irritation can also lead to chronic bladder infections, incontinence, and difficulty urinating, so it’s always best to stick to water. Ideally drink alkaline, antioxidant water due to its superior hydration properties and ability to flush toxins from the body."

GfM Advice: don’t drink coffee before jumping into class, but go to the restroom instead!

2. Bananas

"Bananas contain magnesium - as do potatoes, whole grains, beans and nuts. All of the above are important to have in your diet because magnesium is a vital mineral for proper muscle and nerve function. Also, it can ease incontinence worries because it reduces bladder muscle spasms and enables the bladder to fully empty upon urination. Magnesium has also been proven to relieve constipation due to its laxative effect; it draws water into the stools, easing any tension, and making them softer and easier to pass."

GfM advice: 1 banana a day to keep the Pelvic Specialist away! 

3. Oily fish

"Many of us are consuming more omega 6 fatty acids than we should (from vegetable/seed oils), which can cause inflammation in the body. Omega 3 fatty acids are another type of fatty acids from fish oils, which have consistently shown to lower levels of inflammation, therefore helping to reduce any irritation that can occur from omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 3 can be found in many foods including oily fish, flax seeds and walnuts, however to ensure you’re reaching the recommended daily amount, I recommend taking a high quality supplement."

GfM advice: more walnuts for everybody, add flax seeds to your meal, and eat fish at least once a week. 

4. Avocados

"Foods that contain high amounts of citric acid, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and cranberries, can cause irritation and worsen bladder control. Opt for fruit and vegetables that are low in acid, such as bananas, avocados, peas and apples, as they will provide the body with vital nutrients including fiber, without causing irritation to the pelvic floor. If possible, choose organic."

GfM advice: try to have a variety of foods at your dining table.

5. Add food with Vitamin D

"Recent studies have shown that women who have high levels of vitamin D are less at risk of having a weakened pelvic floor. Vitamin D affects skeletal muscle strength and function, and insufficiency is linked to poor muscle strength and loss of muscle mass. Vitamin D has been shown to increase skeletal muscle efficiency at adequate levels, as vitamin receptors are present in our muscles and therefore have a direct effect on our pelvic floor muscles. I recommend taking a Vitamin D supplement to ensure your vitamin D levels are in the healthy range, especially during the colder months. Vitamin D can also be found in foods including. 

GfM advice: go outside as much as you can (which is a good excuse to do something active while you’re out there!) :)