-
By eating five to nine servings of fresh fruitsand vegetables daily, you will get all the vitamins you need from your diet.However, only 20% of people actually eat five servings of fruits and vegetablesa day. Hardly anyone eats nine. Almost half of American adults take somesort of vitamin supplement. I recommend the following vitamin supplements.
1. FOLATE (FOLIC ACID). This B vitamin is particularly important for women considering pregnancy. Taking 400 mcg (0.4 mg) per day of folic acid will help prevent certain birth defects such as spina bifida. This vitamin is in most multiple vitamins and all prescription and nonprescription prenatal vitamins.
2. VITAMIN E. This is an antioxidant which protects against heart disease. It may also strengthen the immune system. I recommend 400 to 800 mg daily.
3. VITAMIN C. This is also an antioxidant which may decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease. I recommend 500 mcg daily.
4. MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION. I suggest a generic or store brand multivitamin that contains 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs).
5. CALCIUM. Calcium supplementation is especially important in menopause to prevent osteoporosis. After age 50, I recommend 1200 to 1500 mg daily. Tums 500 contains 500 mg per tablet. Caltrate and Os-Cal are other available brands. You can also get the calcium you need to consuming three to four servings of dairy products daily.
6. VITAMIN D. This vitamin helps keep your bones strong by helping you to absorb calcium. It is contained in most multivitamins and some calcium supplements. The recommended dose is 400 to 800 International Units (IU) daily.
7. SELENIUM. This mineral is also an antioxidant and may decrease your risk of cancer. I recommend 200 mg daily.
-
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is the term used to describe a group of physical or behavioral changes that some women experience before their menstrual periods every month. PMS can be considered an abnormal response to normal hormonal changes. Women with PMS have a specific susceptibility for mood problems triggered by normal monthly cycles.
Symptoms of PMS
Physical symptoms: Abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, acne, appetite changes and food cravings, swelling of hands and feet, headache, upset stomach, constipation, clumsiness, and fatigue.
Emotional symptoms: Irritability, mood swings from sadness to anger, depression, being overly sensitive, crying spells, social withdrawal, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, a change in sex drive, and trouble coping with everyday stress.
Most women with PMS have only some of these symptoms. Some women have more of the physical changes, and others have more of the emotional symptoms.
*Premenstrual emotional and physical changes occur in up to 80% of women.
*20-40% of these women experience some difficulty as a result of these changes.
*3 to 7% of women report mood swings and physical symptoms that can interfere with work, life style, or relationships.
How to Recognize PMS
PMS tends to follow a pattern of symptoms that occur at the same time in a woman's cycle. This general pattern occurs month after month. It may vary somewhat from month to month.
For a woman to be diagnosed with PMS, there must be a pattern of symptoms:
° Physical or emotional discomfort starting near the middle of the cycle with the most intense symptoms felt in the last 7 days before a woman's period starts.
° Rapid relief of symptoms once the period starts.
° A symptom-free time between days 4 and 12 of the cycle.
At least 25% of women with premenstrual symptoms will have no such symptom-free interval, suggesting the need for further evaluation, and consideration of such possible causes as menopause, a thyroid disorder, depression, or other psychiatric disorders.
Keeping a Monthly Record
There are no tests that can help detect PMS. The only way to identify it is by keeping a daily record of your symptoms. This way, you can see if a pattern exists. Keeping a daily record helps you to be aware of your body and your moods. Once a woman knows when to expect these changes and how long they last, she may be better able to manage them.
Treatment
While the cause of PMS is unknown, it can be treated to some degree in most women. Understanding the symptoms of PMS can help reduce the anxiety that many women feel about whether their behavior or feelings are normal. A woman's best defense against PMS is knowledge. Know what PMS is, know when it occurs, and know what you can do to lessen its effects.
Life Style Changes
Some of the things that promote a healthy life style may help improve symptoms and are worth a try. Along with its other known benefits, exercise enhances well-being and improves ability to handle stress. Women who exercise regularly report milder PMS symptoms.
Dietary changes have been widely recommended but are of no proven benefit.
Some studies indicate that taking vitamins and minerals (such as 50 mg of vitamin B6 daily) can be helpful, but other studies do not confirm the benefit.
When you can, adjust your schedule to avoid stress that may be harder to cope with when symptoms of PMS are at their worst. PMS can affect your relationships with others. Talk about what is happening to you. If you share your feelings with your family, they may be more supportive when you are having symptoms. Being aware of symptoms also may help you avoid conflicts with your family and coworkers.
Medical Treatment
If your symptoms are not relieved through exercise or stress reduction, your doctor may suggest drug treatment. The medicine your doctor suggests will depend on your symptoms and how much they affect you. Diuretics (or "water pills") are sometimes prescribed to help reduce bloating. They help the body get rid of excess fluids through the kidneys. You may take pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) to relieve the pain of headaches or cramps. In some women, the use of birth control pills has been helpful in reducing symptoms.
Alprazolam, a mild tranquilizer similar to Valium has been reported to have beneficial effects in some studies, whereas other studies have not been able to demonstrate any effectiveness. However, this drug can be addictive.
For some women with severe PMS, certain drugs that alter mood and are used to treat depression or anxiety have been shown to relieve symptoms. Examples of these mild antidepressants are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, or Luvox. These medications may be taken on a daily basis, or they may be prescribed to be taken for only for 7-14 days of the cycle.
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.