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.
