It is possible to find relief for hot flashes and menstrual cramps by making simple changes to your diet. On this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, two women who were pushed to the limit share how they were able to overcome severe hot flashes and unbearable menstrual cramping with food. Plus, “The Weight Loss Champion” Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Neal Barnard who explains why certain foods can trigger these conditions and how the hormones that cause them can be tamed at the dinner table. Ann Friday felt like a prisoner in her heavily layered police uniform when hot flashes would strike. Underneath layers of clothing and a thick bullet proof vest she roasted as the sweltering heat became trapped on her body with no way of escape. She would lose sleep as hot flashes indiscriminately flared up in the middle of the night. The rude awakening jeopardized her focus on the street, presenting a potentially dangerous situation. Having tried everything, she finally found a way to cool off and calm the hot flashes by making one big change. Lindsay Nixon would be doubled over in crippling pain every month when. The cramps were so severe that she was unable to leave her home. Often she begged her roommate to stand on her belly or would fold herself over the back of the couch thinking that the pressure would bring relief. She also began taking prescription pain killers and considered having a hysterectomy at a young age. The decision would have taken away her ability to have children, but all she could think about was putting an end to her agony. Finally, she found that food was the answer. Today she is living pain free and famously known as The Happy Herbivore. Lindsay also created the recipes from Dr. Barnard's book Your Body In Balance! She and Chuck go over her amazing recipe for Mediterranean Croquettes and Bayou Quinoa from Day 2 of the book's 14-day menu. — — — Order The Book https://amzn.to/2ZYYfaU   About The Book http://bit.ly/bodybalancebook   In Your Body in Balance, Dr. Barnard describes how food and hormones play a powerful role in:   - Fertility and menopause: Learn how foods affect the hormones that play a role in fertility, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, menstrual cramps, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Learn how a plant-based diet can help manage menopause and reduce symptoms, including hot flashes. - Sex-hormone related cancers: Read the science behind how foods affect estrogen and testosterone levels and the roles they play in breast, prostate, and other forms of cancer. - Balancing the thyroid: Read about the surprising effects of diet on hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. - Type 2 diabetes: Learn about how a healthy, plant-based diet can restore insulin function and help manage type 2 diabetes. - Regulating metabolism: Learn how a plant-based diet can boost metabolic rate and affect how body fat is stored and burned.   The book also gives readers practical tips and resources, including answers to frequently asked questions and 65 hormone-balancing recipes developed by Lindsay Nixon. — — — Recipes http://bit.ly/bodybalancebook — — — Dr. Barnard Tour Dates http://bit.ly/booktour2020 — — — Chuck Carroll Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC Facebook: https://wghtloss.cc/ChuckFacebook — — — Dr. Neal Barnard Twitter: @DrNealBarnard IG: @DrNealBarnard Facebook: http://bit.ly/DrBarnardFB — — — Physicians Committee Twitter: @PCRM IG: @PhysiciansCommittee Facebook: https://wghtloss.cc/PCRMFacebook — — — Lindsay Nixon Twitter: @happyherbivore IG: @happyherbivore Facebook: http://bit.ly/HappyHerbivoreFB Web: http://bit.ly/HappyHerbivoreCom — — — Share the Show Please subscribe and give the show a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Don’t forget to share it with a friend for inspiration!