Increasing calcium intake may help ...

Increasing calcium intake may help to ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) according to an article in the generation 17, 1998, Medical Tribune. A new study found that women who took 1200 mg of chewable calcium continuations daily experienced a 48% reduction in their overall premenstrual symptoms; women who were given placebos experienced simply a 30% reduction. The close attention further found that women who took calcium postscripts also experienced a reduction in PMS-related depression and humor swings, physical pain, food cravings, and water retention, compared with the women who took placebos. According to the article, calcium depletion may interact with estrogen and progesterone during the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle

Researchers caution women that taking calcium today will not have an immediate event on PMS symptoms. It takes approximately sum of two units to three menstrual cycles forward a continuous regimen of 1200 mg of calcium by day for women to start noticing a change in their PM symptoms. The commitment to taking calcium also is long-term in that if women stop consuming calcium within food or supplements, the benefits stop, too. Researchers commend women first try to spend more calcium-rich foods in their diets, then attempt supplements if that is not effective.

D Mann, "Increased calcium intake may ease PM symptoms," Medical Tribune (Sept 17 1998) Available from http://www.medtrib.com/issues/1998/17sep98. Accessed 24 tribe 1998.

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