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From The November 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News
Preventing PMS
by Anthony Almada
With more than 100 associated symptoms, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) poses significant health issues for many women. A cornerstone of natural PMS treatment is the chaste tree fruit, derived from Vitex agnus castus (VAC).1 In a recent study, 170 women diagnosed with PMS took 20 mg/day of a proprietary VAC extract (Zeller AG) or placebo for three menstrual cycles.2 After the third cycle, more than half the women who took VAC reported a 50 percent improvement in their symptoms, compared with 24 percent who took placebo. Women in the VAC group reported reduced anger, breast fullness, headaches, and irritability, as well as enhanced mood. The treatment did not, however, reduce bloating. The small daily dose may help explain the low occurrence of mild side effects such as nausea and skin conditions (acne, pruritus, rashes). VAC should be compared with an active control product such as Serafem, which is used to treat PMS-related psychological distress.
Anthony Almada is a nutritional and exercise biochemist and has collaborated on more than 50 university-based clinical trials. He is the co-founder of EAS and founder and chief scientific officer of IMAGINutrition.
References
1. Du Mee C. Vitex agnus castus. Aust J Med Herbalism 1993;5:63-5.
2. Schellenberg R. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Brit Med J 2001;322:134-7.
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