PMT, Water Retention, Period Pain, Breast Pain and Omega 3 Oil

Omega 3 oils can help relieve the symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Tension (PMT). Studies have shown that 80 to 90% of women aged between 18 and 50 regularly experience at least one symptom of PMT. Irritability, depression, water retention, fatigue, breast pain and food cravings are the features most commonly reported. It is estimated that 30 to 40% of women experience severe symptoms that they consider incapacitating.

Researchers at Arhus University, Denmark, investigated whether menstrual discomfort, or dysmenorrhoea, may be influenced by the ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 HUFAs (highly unsaturated fatty acids). The study involved 181 healthy Danish women, aged between 20 and 45 years, who were not pregnant, nor on oral contraception.

They found that there was a significant correlation between increased Omega 3 intake and reduced symptoms of dysmenorrhoea, and that the beneficial effects of Omega 3 were enhanced by Vitamin B12 intake. The researchers concluded that 'the results were highly significant, mutually consistent and supported the hypothesis that a higher intake of Omega 3 fatty acids correlates with milder menstrual symptoms.'

Researchers in Ohio studied 42 teenage girls to find out if dietary supplementation with Omega 3 fatty acids could help relieve dysmenorrhoea in adolescents. 21 girls received 2 grams of fish oil (1080 mg EPA and 720 mg DHA) daily for two months, and then were put on a placebo for two months. The second group were first on a placebo for two months, and then moved on to the supplements.

Researchers said 'the study suggests that dietary supplementation with Omega 3 fatty acids has a beneficial effect on the symptoms of dysmenorrhoea in adolescents.'

At the end of the study, the participants were asked to rate the fish oil. 68% said it was effective and worthwhile, 73% said they would recommend it to their friends, and 68% said they would take fish oil in future if it became a standard treatment for PMT.

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Important notice: the purpose of this Web site is simply to gather together the diverse Internet resources relating to Omega 3 oil, in order to inform you, the site visitor, of its benefits. We are not trained scientists, simply parents who want the best for our children. We personally make no specific claims as to the benefits of Omega 3 oil, although we both regularly take MorEPA Omega 3 oil supplements, as do our children.