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.
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
Topics
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