(Phytochemicals in) Foods to Prevent and Treat diseases - Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome effects over 70% to 90% of women before menopause in the US and less for women in Southeast Asia because of their difference in living style and social structure. The occurrence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have more than doubled over the past 50 years due to the acceptance of it as a medical condition that is caused by unhealthy diet with high in saturated food. Premenstrual syndrome is defined as faulty function of the ovaries related to the women's menstrual cycle, it effects a women's physical and emotional state, and sometimes interferes with daily activities as a result of hormone fluctuation. The syndrome occurs one to two weeks before menstruation and then declines when the period starts.

Types of food to prevent and treat Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
1. Wheat Germ
In the study to examine the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol supplementation  in reducing specific symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS), indicated that standardized PMS questionnaires were administered in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle to all subjects, before and after daily treatment with 400 IU d,alpha-tocopherol or placebo for three cycles. Of the 46 subjects enrolled, 41 completed the clinical trial. A significant improvement in certain affective and physical symptoms was noted in subjects treated with d,alpha-tocopherol(1).

2. Soy 
In the study to identify the potential relationship between soy isoflavones and premenstrual syndrome, showed that after two cycles of ISP containing IF intervention, total symptoms (F(2,36) 8.20, P=0.000) and physical symptoms (F(2,36) 8.18, P=0.000) were significantly reduced compared with baseline after both active and placebo treatments, although differences between active and placebo treatment were non-significant. Specific premenstrual symptoms, headache (F(2,32) 4.10, P=0.026) and breast tenderness (F(2,32) 4.59, P=0.018), were reduced from baseline after soy IF, but not milk protein placebo. Cramps (F(2,32) 4.15, P=0.025) and swelling (F(2,32) 4.64, P=0.017) were significantly lower after active treatment compared with placebo. Concentrations of genistein and daidzein were increased following soy IF consumption, but equol production did not enhance symptom reduction(2).

3. Neptune Krill oil and fish oil
In the study to evaluate the effectiveness of Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) for the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea, showed that Neptune Krill Oil can significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and is shown to be significantly more effective for the complete management of premenstrual symptoms compared to omega-3 fish oil(3).

4. Etc.

Resources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3302248
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15975174
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12777162