Influencing premenstrual syndrome through diet
Premenstrual syndrome is a disorder that affects 80 percent of women of childbearing age, according to Katrin Raschke, a nutritionist at the German Institute for Nutritional Medicine and Dietetics. Recent studies show that evening primrose oil and vitamin B6  can relieve the discomfort before the “days”.
Disturbance of the hormonal balance as the cause
The symptoms appear in the second half of the menstrual cycle and range from pain in the abdomen and back to skin changes and mood swings to indigestion. The causes of these complaints are varied and largely unexplained. Above all, a disruption in the hormonal balance seems to play an important role.
Remedy with evening primrose oilÂ
Recent studies have shown that women with premenstrual syndrome ( PMS ) have more linoleic acid in their blood than women who do not suffer from this disorder. The body converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid and other important tissue hormones. Women who suffer from PMS produce fewer tissue hormones despite the increased linoleic acid level. A reduced level of it can be responsible for a number of ailments.
Recent studies show that the intake of evening primrose oil, which has a high content of gamma-linolenic acid, can alleviate or eliminate the symptoms of PMS.
Gamma-linolenic acid is rarely found in food. Exceptions are certain vegetable oils such as borage oil . A dietary supplement with gamma-linolenic acid can make a significant contribution to ensuring that the formation of prostaglandins can proceed undisturbed again. Appropriate dietary supplements are available in pharmacies.
Mangel an Vitamin B
Scientists discuss an insufficient supply of vitamin B6 as another cause for the PMS symptoms. This vitamin is involved in the formation of the messenger substances serotonin  and dopamine  , which have a strong influence on mood. Low serotonin levels are associated with depressive moods.
A hormonal imbalance can also empty the vitamin B6 stores in the liver and disrupt the formation of serotonin and dopamine. Vitamin B6 administration reduced PMS symptoms in several recent studies. Vitamin B6 is found in many foods, especially fish, whole grain products, vegetables and meat.