Randomised trial, 2006
Which dietary supplements and herbs work for PMS?
Calcium and vitamin B6 have the best evidence for PMS. Evening primrose oil and magnesium have conflicting results. Other supplements like Vitex need more and better research.
What they did
Systematic review of published randomized controlled trials of dietary supplements and herbal remedies used for PMS. The researchers reviewed studies on calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, Vitex agnus castus, ginkgo biloba, and St. John's Wort.
What they found
Substantial evidence supports calcium and vitamin B6 for PMS. Magnesium and evening primrose oil produced conflicting results across trials. Insufficient data exist for ginkgo biloba, Vitex, and St. John's Wort, though preliminary data seem supportive.
What it means for you
If you are considering supplements for PMS, calcium and B6 have the strongest evidence. Other supplements need larger and better-designed studies. The main limitation is that most research is preliminary or has methodological issues.
About the study
- Original title
- Dietary supplements and herbal remedies for premenstrual syndrome (PMS): a systematic research review of the evidence for their efficacy
- Authors
- Sarah Elise Canning, Mitch G. Waterman, Louise Dye
- Journal
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Various dietary supplements and herbal remedies (reviewed from published studies)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/02646830600974170
Topics
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