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Effect of calcium intake on premenstrual symptoms
Author(s) -
Ko Catherine,
Burns-Whitmore B.,
Spalding Thomas W.,
Bidlack Wayne R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1021.7
Subject(s) - calcium , medicine , physiology , menstrual cycle , premenstrual dysphoric disorder , food frequency questionnaire , endocrinology , hormone
Reports suggest an association of calcium supplementation and reduced severity of premenstrual symptoms. The aims of our study were to: 1) evaluate the association between dietary calcium intake and the level of premenstrual stress 2) determine whether an intake of calcium above the Dietary Reference Intake would reduce premenstrual symptoms. Healthy, premenopausal women (19–45 years) were recruited. In the assessment phase (AP), premenstrual symptoms were documented over two menstrual cycles using a validated daily symptoms report, and five food records per person were collected. Calcium was provided in increments of 250mg to all participants with the intent to reach 1200mg/d. During the calcium supplementation phase (SP), participants recorded symptoms for two cycles. A median split was used to divide participants into either a high‐ or low‐symptom group. Mean affective scores (MAS) and mean somatic scores (MSS) were used to conduct regression analyses. Mean calcium intake increased from 614±195mg/d in AP to 1133±246mg/d in SP. No association was found between dietary calcium intake and level of affective or somatic premenstrual stress. After SP, a decrease of MAS was observed (p=0.07). The MSS was significantly lower after SP in the high symptom group (p=0.01). Calcium intakes slightly above the DRIs may be beneficial for women who experience mild to moderate premenstrual somatic symptoms. Grant Funding Source: none