June 20, 2005 – Women whose diet is rich in calcium and vitamin D are less affected than others by premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
This is what the results of a recent epidemiological survey reveal1 conducted at the University of Massachusetts. Under the direction of epidemiologist Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, the researchers compared the calcium and vitamin D intakes of 1,057 women with PMS and 1,968 others who did not, over a 10-year period.
“Our results show that women who consumed four servings per day of low-fat dairy products, as well as orange juice fortified with vitamin D were approximately 40% less likely to suffer from PMS than those who did not. ate these foods only once a week, ”says Bertone-Johnson.
The risk of developing PMS was lower in women whose daily food intake was in the order of 1200 mg of calcium and 500 IU of vitamin D. Researchers believe that calcium may help modulate blood levels. estrogen during menstruation. As for vitamin D, we know that it promotes the absorption of calcium by the body.
In 1998, the results of a double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 466 women followed for three menstrual cycles2 indicated that supplementing 1 g to 1.5 g of calcium carbonate per day was more effective than placebo in relieving PMS symptoms: depression, fluid retention and pain. The researchers then hypothesized that PMS could be, among other things, caused by calcium deficiency, which the present study would tend to confirm.
The average North American gets about 75% of their dietary calcium from dairy products, with the rest from vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. However, if the consumption of fruits and vegetables approaches that recommended by the authorities, a greater proportion of calcium could come from these foods. As for vitamin D, fish are the best source, but it should also be noted that simple exposure to the sun, for 10 to 20 minutes per day, can provide 80% to 90% of the recommended nutritional intake.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to HealthDayNews, Associated Press and Reuters Health.
1. Bertone-Johnson ER, Hankinson SE, et al. Calcium and vitamin d intake and risk of incident premenstrual syndrome.Arch Intern Med. 2005 Jun 13; 165 (11): 1246-52.
2. Thys-Jacobs S, Starkey P, Bernstein D, et al. Calcium carbonate and the premenstrual syndrome: effects on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. Premenstrual Syndrome Study Group. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1998; 179: 444 -452.