Survey study, 2016
Does eating fish help reduce PMS or PMDD symptoms in female athletes?
Fish or dried fish consumption was associated with lower risk of poor athletic performance caused by PMS or PMDD in female athletes. The overall prevalence of PMS and PMDD was similar in athletes and nonathletes.
What they did
Compared 200 female collegiate athletes to 112 nonathletes. Measured PMS and PMDD prevalence and asked about dietary habits including fish consumption.
What they found
The prevalence of moderate to severe PMS and PMDD was similar in both groups. However, athletes experienced worse physical symptoms and performance impacts from PMS compared to nonathletes. Among athletes, fish consumption was associated with lower odds of poor athletic performance from PMS (odds ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.40-0.92).
What it means for you
Eating fish or dried fish may help female athletes manage PMS or PMDD effects on performance. However, this is a small study from one Japanese university, so results may not apply widely. The study was observational, not a controlled trial.
0.61
odds ratio for fish consumption and poor performance
200
athletes
312
total participants
About the study
- Original title
- Fish Consumption and Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysphoric Disorder in Japanese Collegiate Athletes
- Authors
- Takeda T, Imoto Y, Nagasawa H et al.
- Journal
- Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 312
- What was tested
- Fish or dried fish consumption (observed dietary exposure)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2016.01.122
Topics
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