Health-Diets.NET

From The Nutritional Health Bible by Linda Lazarides (1997). This free database is provided for interest only. Linda's later writings refer to more up-to-date research.

• Deficiencies of B vitamins, calcium, essential fatty acids or magnesium 
• Poor diet with too much fat and/or sugar.

The average red blood cell magnesium levels were significantly lower in PMS sufferers compared with normal women. Abraham GE et al: Serum and red cell magnesium levels in patients with premenstrual tension. Am J Clin Nutr 34(11):2364-6,1981.

While plasma magnesium levels appeared to be normal, red cell magnesium levels were found to be significantly lower than normal in a group of 105 patients with premenstrual syndrome. Sherwood RA et al: Magnesium and the premenstrual syndrome. Ann Clin Biochem 23(Pt 6):667-70, 1986.

Concentrations of all metabolites of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid were signficantly reduced in 43 women with well-defined premenstrual syndrome, suggesting that there was a defect in their ability to convert linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Brush MG et al: Abnormal essential fatty acid levels in plasma of women with premenstrual syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 150(4):363-6, 1984.

Evening primrose oil significantly alleviated premenstrual symptoms - especially premenstrual depression - in a group of 30 women with severe premenstrual syndrome. Puolakka J et al: Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the PMS with prostaglandin synthesis precursors. J Reprod Med 30(3):149-53, 1985

Two women with a history of menstrual-related migraines supplemented with a combination of vitamin D and calcium reported a major reduction in their headaches and premenstrual symptoms within two months of beginning therapy. Thys-Jacobs S: Vitamin D and calcium in menstrual migraine. Headache 34(9):544-6, 1994.

In a randomized double-blind crossover trial comparing calcium supplementation with placebo in 33 women with premenstrual syndrome, it was found that the supplements significantly reduced negative emotions, fluid retention and pain. Alvir JM et al: Premenstrual and menstrual symptom clusters and response to calcium treatment. Period pain was also reduced. Psychopharmacol Bull 27(2):145-8, 1991.

In a randomized double-blind crossover trial comparing calcium supplementation with placebo in 78 women with premenstrual syndrome, it was found that after three months there was a significant reduction in negative emotions, fluid retention and pain. Period pain was also reduced. The investigators conclude that calcium supplementation is a simple, effective treatment for premenstrual syndrome. Thys-Jacobs S et al: Calcium supplementation in premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trial. J Gen Intern Med 4(3):183-9, 1989.

In a randomized double-blind crossover trial, the effectiveness of vitamin B6 supplementation at 50 mg per day for 3 months against premenstrual syndrome was compared with placebo in 63 women.. The B6 group observed a significant beneficial effect on emotional symptoms: depression, irritability and fatigue. Doll H et al: Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and the premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trial. J R Coll Gen Pract 39(326):364-8, 1989.

617 patients diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome were randomized to treatment with vitamin B6 supplements or placebo in a double-blind trial. A global assessment after three cycles revealed significant improvement in the B6 group. Williams MJ et al: Controlled trial of pyridoxine in the premenstrual syndrome. J Int Med Res 13(3):174-9, 1985.

21 patients with severe premenstrual breast pain were given either a low-fat, high complex carbohydrate diet or general dietary advice. After 6 months there was a significant reduction in symptoms in the first group. Boyd NF et al: Effect of a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet on symptoms of cyclical mastopathy. Lancet 2(8603):128-32, 1988.

Fluid retention symptoms decreased in a group of women with premenstrual syndrome who were placed on a low-fat diet (20% of calories from fat). Jones DY: Influence of dietary fat on self-reported menstrual symptoms. Physiol Behav 40(4)483-7, 1987

In a study on 11 premenstrual women there was laboratory evidence of significant deficiencies in vitamin B6 and magnesium. Other deficiencies also occurred frequently. A multivitamin/mineral supplement was found to correct some of these deficiencies and, at the appropriate dosage, to improve symptoms. Stewart A: Clinical and biochemical effects of nutritional supplementation on the premenstrual syndrome. J Reprod Med 32(6):435-41, 1987.

Results of randomized trials and open studies in 291 patients with severe breast pain show that a good response is obtained from evening primrose oil supplementation in 45% of cases where the breast pain is of the premenstrual variety. Pye JK et al: Clinical experience of drug treatments for mastalgia. Lancet 2(8451):373-7, 1985.

In a randomized double-blind study comparing vitamin E supplementation with placebo against premenstrual syndrome in 46 women, there was a significant improvement in emotional and physical symptoms. London RS et al: Efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome. J Reprod Med 32(6):400-4, 1987.

In a double-blind randomized study, the efficacy of vitamin E supplements at different doses was compared with placebo on 75 women with benign breast disease suffering from premenstrual symptoms. Vitamin E supplementation improved three of the four classes of PMS symptoms and was significantly more effective than placebo. London RS et al: The effect of alpha-tocopherol on premenstrual symptomatology: a double-blind study. J Am Coll Nutr 2(2):115-22, 1983.

A multinutrient product "Optivite" was administered to 31 women with premenstrual syndrome for six menstrual cycles. The symptom score before menstrual periods decreased from 31.5 to 10.3. The best responses were seen in women taking 6-12 tablets a day for three or more cycles. Goei GS et al: Effect of a nutritional supplement, optivite, on symptoms of premenstrual tensioin. J Reprod Med 28(8):527-31, 1983.