Diet and PMS
By Daniel Vincent, Ivanhoe Web Correspondent
June 20,2005
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- According to a new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, increasing their intake of calcium and vitamin D may help women lower the risk of having premenstrual syndrome.
While calcium and vitamin D have been known to help for treating PMS, this study shows evidence that the two supplements may prevent its initial development.
Many women undergo mild premenstrual symptoms affecting them emotionally or physically, but anywhere from eight to 20 percent of women experience symptoms more severe like depression, irritability and fatigue.
Elizabeth R. Bertone-Johnson, Sc. D., of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, led the study. She and her colleagues examined the diets and supplement use of 1,057 women who have reported having PMS and 1,968 who do not. The women were between ages 27 and 44, and the participants filled out health and diet surveys in 1991, 1995 and 1999. Bertone-Johnson said the risk of PMS was significantly lower in women with high intakes of vitamin D and calcium.
The intake sizes are approximately 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D. Researchers say about four servings of skim or low-fat milk, fortified orange juice or low fat dairy products, like yogurt, would give women the necessary amount of vitamin D and calcium.
Women who drink whole milk will likely have higher fat intake, which according to previous studies, may actually contribute to symptoms of PMS.
Already known for reducing the risk of osteoporosis and some cancers, Bertone-Johnson says doctors and clinicians should consider recommending these nutrients for younger women.
SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2005;165:1246-1252
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