I recently went to a naturopathic doctor to see if they had any advice for the migraines I have been having during my menstrual cycle.  Basically, what happens in a nutshell is about a day before my period I start getting a debilitating headache. As if the painful menstruation wasn’t bad enough. Yes, for a few years now a migraine has been a nice precursor to my period.  However, these migraines are so bad that I have to take an entire day off from work.  I get light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, the whole 9  yards…

Anyway, last month I decided I couldn’t take it anymore and I went to a naturopathic doctor to see if she had any suggestions. One of the key things that she recommended was a daily dose of cod liver oil. At first I thought, “oh no, I am doomed because never, ever, will I try this.” However, as I left the office I bought a bottle (which was expensive, a small bottle is about $20). Even though I had the cod liver oil in hand, I was dubious if I would actually muster the bravery needed to try it.

Well, I made my boyfriend try it first.  He did and said to me with a totally straight face, “Mary, this has no taste at all.” I really thought he was messing with me.  However, after a few days I could tell he was serious. Impossible? Well, I would have to be brave and try it. I really am quite ready to do just about anything to get rid of these migraines before my menstrual cycle.

Sure enough when I tried the cod liver oil  it really did have no flavor. The people who make this are geniuses, I guess. The brand I bought was Nordic Naturals with lemon. So sure enough when my period arrived, no migraine. And to tell you the truth, my menstrual cycle was not as painful as normal either.

Apparently, cod liver oil has all kinds of great benefits including reducing frequency of headaches.  The oil’s fatty acid content reduces inflammation.  The particular type of fatty acids found in fish oil has the ability to help with inflammation in a way that other fats in our diet cannot.  Cod liver oil is also supposed to help with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke, breast, prostate and colon cancer, depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder, cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease!!