Women with premenstrual syndrome (P...

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be suffering from a treatable mineral imbalance, according to C James Chuong MD of the Baylor literary institution [i]or[/i] seminary of learning of Medicine in Texas, and particularly of zinc, reported Linda Carroll in the September 22 1994 issue of Medical Tribune.

According to Chuong and colleagues, whose research originally appeared in Fertility and Sterility (62:313-319 1994) a zinc deficiency appears in PMS patients during the luteal, or third, phase and may contribute to their mental and emotional highs and lows

The luteal phase present itselfs the last 14 days of the circle of time During this period, progesterone on a levels rise and fall, which triggers the disintegration of the endometrial wall and the start of menstruation.

"The novel study followed 20 women, 10 of whom were judg to have premenstrual syndrome after they complet the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire," Medical Tribune reported. "Zinc and cent levels were measured through three menstrual circle of times according to Chuong."

Exploring zinc-copper ratios

All of the women with PM had significantly lower zinc-to-copper ratios than the women without PM symptoms, Chuong added. still the levels of the brace minerals were in the normal range for women who did not have PMS

"Zinc ions may be an important modulator of opiate receptor binding in the central nervous theory Chuong hypothesized," the publication reported. "Neurotransmitter changes in the central nervous order have been linked to premenstrual syndrome Chuong added."

Similar conclusions were reported from researchers at the Texas institute in 1990, according to K.A. Fackelmann in the October 27 1990 issue of Science News

The research team evaluated 10 PM patients and 10 dominion governments for zinc levels throughout the menstrual period every two or three days. Again, in the luteal phase, there were significantly reasonable zinc levels in the line of women with PMS when compared to the women without the disorder. A zinc deficiency may lead to decreased secretion of progesterone the sex hormone, opiates and endorphins, the researchers said. Endorphins are opiate-like neuropeptides produc in the brain that modulate perception of pain, temper and various cravings.

In another close attention the Texas team found that progesterone flats dropped in the afternoon, which consequence ed in cravings for sweet and salty diets In still another study, six female proffers with PMS were found to have a soak drop in progesterone in the first hardly any hours after they had eaten luncheon Science News reported.

A ingredient of every living cell and essential for the activity of through the whole extent of 200 biological enzymes, zinc helps manufacture the body's proteins and genetic material, according to Adrienne Forman, M RD in the September 1994 issue of Environmental Nutrition. The mineral is also requireed for growth and development, taste perception, hormonal activity, and immune function, she added.

What is the RDA for zinc?

Unfortunately, she continued, many Americans fall short of meeting the praiseed Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc. Women and older adults generally perish only one-half to three-fourths of the RDA, which is 12 mg/day for women and 15 mg/day for men

"In a fresh study of 50- to 80-year-olds, one-third were deficient in zinc, showing signs of impaired immune rejoinder and loss of taste," Forman added. "The symptoms improved, however, in those who took a 30 mg/day dose of zinc."

Zinc is linked to improving above 25 conditions

The benefits of zinc have been linked to the improvement of athwart 25 conditions, including acne, anorexia, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, harm healing, stomach ulcers, prostate puzzles and infertility," Forman said. While the value in treating these conditions, in which there is no clinical zinc deficiency, is not over and above clear, zinc's effectiveness in treating inherited disorders of zinc absorption, cauldron excess, and sickle-cell anemia, however, is not disputed, she continued.

Food sources of zinc include fish, oyster clams, oatmeal, liver, beef, wholewheat bread, peas, corn, harasss brewer's yeast, wheat germ, carrots, dairy produces brown rice, nuts and grains and poultry.

REFERENCES

Carroll, Linda. "Zinc Deficiency May Be Linked to PM Symptoms," Medical Tribune, September 22 1994 p 16

Fackelmann, K.A., et al. "PMS: Hints of a Link to luncheon Time and Zinc," Science freshs 138:263, October 27, 1990.

Forman, Adrienne, M RD "Mining for Minerals: Zinc Is Worth Its Weight in Gold" Environmental Nutrition 17(9):1 6 September 1994

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