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  |  Women's Health  |  Reproductive Health  |  Period drama
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Some surprising facts from the Colonel

Period drama

by Dr Wynnie Chan
continued from page 1
  • Vitamin B6 It’s thought that mood swings during PMS are caused by the reduced production of the body’s natural feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Although scientific trials don’t support this theory, it’s widely believed that taking the ‘women’s’ vitamin, B6 – which is involved in the production of serotonin and dopamine – can help kick start the process again.
    You can get your B6 fix naturally by eating meat, fish, eggs, whole cereals, brussel sprouts, peas and potatoes or in capsule form at your local chemist. Although vitamin B6 deficiency is rare in humans, taking too much of it through high dose supplements can, in rare cases, result in nerve damage. Speak to your doctor before taking Vitamin B6.

  • Minerals Minerals such as zinc and magnesium are crucial in the production of serotonin and dopamine, and it is thought that these hormones may also help alleviate PMS-related headaches, backache and tension. Zinc can be found in a variety of foods such as seafood, cereals, whole grains, turkey (dark meat) and most protein-rich foods such as meat and dairy products. Magnesium is found in peanuts, Marmite, sardines and wholemeal bread. You could also take zinc or magnesium in tablet form or get both in a multi-mineral tablet.

  • Evening Primrose Oil Again, there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence to back up claims that Evening Primrose Oil helps reduce PMS symptoms. However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to say it works. The oil, which comes from a small yellow flower, contains a polyunsaturated fatty acid called gamma linoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, Evening Primrose Oil eases breast tenderness and also blocks the inflammatory prostaglandins that cause menstrual cramps.



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    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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