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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