---
title: Does micronutrient intake differ between female athletes with and without PMS?
description: Most nutrients showed no clear difference. Lower vitamin D intake tended to be associated with PMS, but this finding was not definite.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/micronutrient-intake-and-premenstrual-syndrome-in-female-collegiate-athletes-2023/
---

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- Does micronutrient intake differ between female athletes with and without PMS?

Case-control study, 2023

# Does micronutrient intake differ between female athletes with and without PMS?

Most nutrients showed no clear difference. Lower vitamin D intake tended to be associated with PMS, but this finding was not definite.

 Early or limited evidence

30 female collegiate athletes, ages 18-22, not using contraceptives

## What they did

Case-control study of 30 NCAA Division I female athletes, ages 18-22, not using contraceptives. Participants were classified as having PMS or not. They completed dietary logs 1 week before their projected menstruation. The logs were analyzed for calories, macronutrients, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc.

## What they found

23% of the athletes had PMS. No significant differences were found between the PMS and non-PMS groups for calories (2150 vs 2142 kcals), carbohydrates (278 vs 271g), protein (90 vs 100.2g), fats (77 vs 77.2g), or food groups. There was a statistical trend showing lower vitamin D intake in the PMS group (39.4 vs 66.0 IU), but no significant differences in magnesium (205.0 vs 173.0 mg) or zinc (11.0 vs 7.0 mg).

## What it means for you

No clear link was found between magnesium, zinc intake and PMS. Lower vitamin D intake may be connected to PMS but the finding wasn't strong. The study was small and looked only at athletes, so results may not apply to all women.

23%

of athletes with PMS

39.4 vs 66.0 IU

vitamin D intake in PMS vs no PMS

30

total athletes

## About the study

Original title Micronutrient intake and premenstrual syndrome in female collegiate athletes Authors Pallante PI, Vega AC, Escobar A et al. Journal The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness Year 2023 Study design Case-control study Participants 30 What was tested Comparison of micronutrient intake in athletes with and without PMS Read the paper [doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.22.13829-6](https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.22.13829-6)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Vitamin D](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-d/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

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