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Randomised trial, 1987

Do vitamin and mineral supplements help PMS?

Possibly. Women with PMS had significant deficiencies in vitamin B6 and magnesium, and a multivitamin/multimineral supplement at the appropriate dose improved premenstrual tension symptoms.

Early or limited evidence 11 women with premenstrual syndrome

What they did

Double-blind placebo-controlled study in 11 women with PMS. Researchers tested a nutritional supplement at both high and low doses and evaluated the women's nutritional status through laboratory tests.

What they found

Laboratory tests showed significant deficiencies in vitamin B6 and magnesium in the women with PMS, along with other less common deficiencies. The multivitamin/multimineral supplement corrected some of these deficiencies and improved symptoms of premenstrual tension when given at the appropriate higher dose.

What it means for you

Women with PMS may lack important vitamins and minerals, and supplementation can help. The main limits are the very small sample size of 11 women and the need to find the right dose. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

11

Women with premenstrual syndrome studied

B6 and magnesium

Nutrients with significant deficiencies found

About the study

Original title
Clinical and biochemical effects of nutritional supplementation on the premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Stewart A
Journal
The Journal of reproductive medicine
Year
1987
Study design
Randomised trial
Participants
11
What was tested
Multivitamin/multimineral supplement at high and low doses

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