Odd Question About ETL
 

I'm not familiar w/ eat to live, but i can say that when I eat cleaner and drink lots of water, my PMS symptoms are just about non-existent. From the cramps to the moodiness, everything is better really.

I have no idea because i became a veg later in life. I do know this though. I was going through early menopause (blood test confirmed), and since changing my eating and taking supplements, I've actually been ovulating and have even had a period again. So I can def. vouch for the fact that it does do something to the hormonal system.

Have you tried starflower oil for the cramps? I started taking echium oil (best veggie alternative to fish oils) to treat the ME/CFS a couple of years ago, and noticed that my periods, which had got heavier and crampier since getting a copper IUD, immediately got a lot lighter and less painful. I googled accordingly and apparently essential fatty acids are known for doing this. Starflower oil is probably your best bet for that.

I'm vegan but not on the ETA diet. I will say that a common treatment for PMS is to stabilise blood sugar, which has a knock-on effect on hormones, by eating a complex carb every 2-3 hours and no longer than 8 apart at night. This method was pioneered in the seventies and the doctors are still recommending it today. It doesn't have to be much, a rice cake or a few almonds will do. Some people do better using protein instead of complex carbs. This isn't all of the PMS diet, there's lots about removing obvious junk and eating lots of fresh fruit and veg and drinking water and so forth. I do most of that anyway, but I found that the 2 hourly thing was too much hassle to keep up. It's aimed at PMS, particularly the psychiatric symptoms, rather than specifically at cramping, but hey, it's all the same hormonal disruption in many ways.

Also are you getting enough iron? Floradix (Floravital if you're vegan) is spoken highly of.

I would imagine, as someone else said, it has something to do with not eating sugar or bread or even many grains, thus stabilizing your blood sugar.

People on his website swear that ETL cured their migraines, allergies, arthritis, and all sorts of other maladies.

I don't do the ETL (haven't read it) but being a clean(ish) eating vegan hasn't helped with my PMS one bit. Just ask my boyfriend!

I do eat a LOT of whole grains, though. So if that's the culprit... oh, well, because I love my grains!