Mainstream medicine validates calci...

Mainstream medicine validates calcium therapy for PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has draw near a long way. For years dismissed as a figment of women's (overactive) hypochondriacal imaginations, it has single recently achieved recognition as a condition which has physiological causes, and which, therefore, may yield to physiological interventions, like nutrition. In fact, today it is the rare physician who will own a woman that the symptoms she is experiencing are "all in your head" or "just part of being a woman."

Addressing PMS

Many recommendations have been made for alleviating the symptoms of PM These include lifestyle changes, of the like kind as following a low-fat diet, incorporating more exercise, and decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption. Support assign places tos stress management techniques, and physics (including Prozac) that relieve specific symptoms have been tried with different orders of success. Supplementation with vitamin E (150 to 400 IU each day) or vitamin B-6 (50 to 200 mg each day) may work for a women, but not for others.

The calcium connection

Numerous healthcare professionals, including the author, have been recommending calcium (with magnesium) to women with PM for many years. Until lately definitive studies have been not many With the publication in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reporting the springs of a large, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled application of mind (the type accepted by conventional medical practitioners), we may in a short time hear, "take two calcium tablets and call me in the morning."

The evidence insinuates that disturbances in calcium regulation may cause or contribute to the symptoms of PM The investigation concluded that calcium supplementation is a simple and effective treatment in premenstrual syndrome resulting in a major reduction in overall luteal phase symptoms. (The luteal phase is from 7 to 14 days before menstruation.) In the application of mind women who were given 1200 mg a day of calcium carbonate showed a 48-percent overall reduction in total symptoms from baseline. Negative-effect symptoms (mood swings, depression, and tension-irritability) were diminished to an volume similar to that achieved by dint of Prozac in another study.

The Journal article also mentioned magnesium, indicating that a strait-laced deficiency of this mineral could cause neuromuscular irritability and other symptoms reflective of PM According to Better Nutrition columnist, Michael T Murray, ND as with calcium fill ups the form of magnesium is important. Aspartate, malate, succinate, fumarate, and citrate forms may be better absorbed than oxide, chloride, or carbonate forms.

In an interview with Murray, he indicated that calcium has been part of his professional recommendations for helping his patients with PM along with magnesium, a high-potency multi-vitamin/mineral, extra vitamin E other nutrients, and the herb chasteberry (Virex agnus-castus).

Of course, a value-added side power of calcium is that it has a positive event on bone health.

REFERENCES

The Merck Manual of Medical Information, place of abode Edition. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Research Laboratories, 1997

Carlson, KJ Eisenstat, S.A., Ziporyn, T ed The Harvard Guide to Women's Health. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Pres 1996

Murray, MT ND Premenstrual Syndrome by what mode You Can Benefit from Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and Other Natural way s Rocklin, Calif.: Prima Publishing, 1997

Thys-Jacobs, s Starkey, P., Bernstein, D., et al. "Calcium carbonate and the premenstrual syndrome: validitys on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms," Am J Obstet Gynecol 179(2):444-452 1998

Jean Barilla, M is single in kind of the nation's foremost medical and nutrition person specially versed s and is the author or co-author of many main division s including Huperzine A: Boost Your Brain Power (1998) The assistant editor of Natural Medicine, Jean co-edited the work Natural Health Secrets From Around the World (1997) A veteran legion of radio and television health programs, she has forethoughted clients in health and nutrition for through the whole extent of 20 years.

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