Vitamins for PMS
All about vitamins for PMS... Premenstrual Syndrome, also known as PMS is characterized by many troublesome symptoms seven to fourteen days before menstruation that many women look for vitamins for PMS to provide them with relief. The symptoms are so numerous and various that diagnosing and treating this condition is often a difficult task. Some of the more common symptoms include: *abdominal bloating *acne *anxiety *backache *breast swelling and tenderness *cramps *depression *food cravings *fainting spells *fatigue *headaches *insomnia *joint pain *nervousness * skin eruptions *water retention *personality changes such as drastic mood swings, outbursts of anger, violence, and sometimes even thoughts of suicide Some women experience only a few symptoms, while others have been plagued with many and, as such, have turned to various different treatments including vitamins for PMS. In addition, approximately 5 to 10 percent of women have such severe PMS symptoms that it is incapacitating. However, it has also been noted that 30 to 40 percent of women report that their symptoms are severe enough to interfere with their day-to-day lives. Before we discuss vitamins for PMS, let's define the causes of this condition. Consequently, it is still not crystal clear what causes all of these disturbing symptoms. However, there are many theories as to the causes PMS. Unfortunately, none are universally agreed upon. It is believed that the reasons and/or contributing factors for PMS symptoms may be: *hormonal imbalances of estrogen and progesterone *sensitivity to fluctuating hormones *diet *unstable blood sugar *food allergies *changes in carbohydrate metabolism *hypoglycemia *malabsorption *erratic levels of beta-endorphin *vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially calcium *inability to metabolize fats Vitamins for PMS *The B complex vitamins (The B vitamins work best when taken together). *Vitamin E Vitamin E is good for breast tenderness and also helps relieve nervous tension, irritability, and depression. (Use d-alpha-tocopherol form) *Vitamin A A deficiency in vitamin A has been linked to PMS. *Vitamin C Vitamin C aids in the relief of discomfort of breast swelling and boosts the immune system. Going beyond vitamins for PMS ... Minerals *Calcium Calcium is prized for its ability to help prevent mood swings, cramps, and water retention.
*Magnesium Magnesium may be needed due to a deficiency associated with PMS. However, it should be taken with calcium. Vitamin D is also needed for calcium uptake.
Going beyond minerals and vitamins for PMS …… Herbs Black Cohosh is well renowned as a natural remedy for menopausal complaints, PMS, and menstrual disorders. Black cohosh harbors compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen and, as such, helps to fight PMS symptoms, menstrual cramps and hot flashes. Chaste berry, also known as vitex is another popular herb used to treat PMS. It harbors hormone-balancing effects, making it useful for a wide variety of menstrual disorders. Wild Yam has also proved effective in alleviating many symptoms of PMS, including cramps, headache, mood swings, depression, irritability, and insomnia. Dong quai, sarsaparilla root, and blessed thistle are a few other hormone-balancing herbs that are effective in the treatment of PMS.
Going beyond nutrients for PMS …… Diet and Exercise
Some experts recommend the following diet to help alleviate PMS symptoms:
Our Opinion on Vitamins for PMS It's important to note that there may not be one clear-cut answer to fit everyone in relieving PMS symptoms. However, our research indicates that proper diet is extremely important in treating PMS. Today, there are clinics that specialize in PMS treatments but be careful on those that promote one type of treatment or a quick-fix approach. Experience and expertise to this complicated disorder can vary greatly among these establishments so you're better off asking for a referral from your healthcare provider. Now, let's get back to vitamins for PMS. We believe you may want to consider taking a high quality multi nutrient supplement designed to help minimize menstrual discomfort. However, it should be formulated by a top notch scientist. Going way beyond vitamins for PMS……
In fact, nowadays there are highly sophisticated Nutraceutical companies that are producing products designed especially for women that consist of a broad spectrum of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, antioxidants, amino acids, neuronutrients, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, herbal extracts, enzymes and other complementary co-factor ingredients that are needed for optimal health, but it also includes additional special nutrients such as Black Cohosh, Wild Yam, Dong Quai or others that are noted to help minimize menstrual discomfort. Therefore, it's important to understand the how and why of what makes some of these comprehensive multi nutrient supplements designed for women useful, which is an important factor in making an informed choice.
Moreover, nutritional biochemistry is very complicated and complex. For example, do you know that zinc cannot function without vitamin B6, nor can some enzymes be made without it? Every single nutrient requires other nutrients as cofactors, either for activation or function from each of the nutrient categories, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. For activation, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids require enzymes, and for function, essential fatty acids are also required. Bottom line ….No nutrient is an island all unto itself.
In addition, there are other factors to consider about taking herbs, nutrients, and vitamins for PMS. 1. It may be very dangerous to your health to mix and match supplements and nutrients on your own. 2. In general, all nutrients work in harmony and synergistically with one another to achieve the highest health benefits. As such, a formulated women's product using carefully selected ingredients can enhance their therapeutic benefits, often much better than taking a single herb or nutrient on its own. 3. Ratios of nutrients have to be balanced perfectly in order for it to be optimally effective. 4. Taking each nutrient separately could get extremely "pricey."
Tips on selecting PMS Supplements 1. Ensure that the products are produced at pharmaceutical GMP registered facilities. Manufacturers that are GMP compliant adheres to stringent manufacture procedures to minimize and eliminate the possibility of harmful contaminates. 2. Select a product created by a highly credentialed formulator such as a scientist who is qualified to create a supplement with ingredients that work in balance and synergistically to offer the maximum results. A poorly "thrown together" supplement can sometimes do more harm than good. 3. Select herbal supplements that contain only standardized extracts. Many manufactures do not use standardized extracts because it's much cheaper to use low-quality ingredients. 4. Select supplements that come with a Certificate of Analysis on file thus confirming the potency of ingredients. Does the company have other crosschecks to ensure potency? 5. Select a product that does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, yeast, sucrose, dextrose or gluten. Lastly, always speak to a physician before taking any dietary supplements.
We hope this webpage discussing vitamins for PMS was useful to you. To Your Health! The Editors
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