Posted by JLx on October 9, 2003, at 19:19:54
In reply to PMS relief, posted by almondjoy on October 9, 2003, at 16:29:31
Carolyn Dean, M.D. talks about PMS in terms of magnesium deficiency in "The Miracle of Magnesium" (a good book). Here's an excerpt: http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0345445880&view=excerpt
"While women and men seem equally susceptible to magnesium deficiency, women may become deficient faster than men due to hormonal fluctuations ... Because of magnesium's effect on hormonal regulation and vice versa, women can have deficiencies in pregnancy, when breast-feeding, with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and with dysmenorrhea (painful periods)."
You are already taking a calcium/magnesium supplement, but it's possible that you are getting very little magnesium in it, since calcium can overpower the magnesium and quite often the type of calcium in a combo is more absorbable than the type of magnesium. I've read that for PMS, the usual ratio should be reversed to twice as much magnesium as calcium.
"Magnesium is important for hormone production and transformation, as well as for the proper use of calcium and vitamin D. Magnesium deficiencies have been noted in women with PMS. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is a natural source of magnesium, and that may be the root of many women's PMS chocolate cravings.
A study published in the November 1998 Journal of Women's Health found that magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention."
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-091a.shtmlNote that that site's article also mentions other supplements such as Vit. B6 and Zinc.
Magnesium acetate, chloride, citrate, gluconate, glycinate, lactate, malate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate and taurate are considered more absorbable. Magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate are not. Magnesium glutamate and aspartate, are probably contraindicated for depressives.
I can't imagine why magnesium or those other supplements would be problematical with the use of an SSRI.
I think it's a crying shame that we women have had calcium recommended to us in massive doses and we hear little or nothing about magnesium...except as a potentiating factor to calcium! As a result of a high calcium diet, a poorly absorbed form of magnesium in my supplement, and general ignorance, I found I was very magnesium depleted and felt better almost immediately when I started supplementing with magnesium glycinate.
I've also read many times that the best diuretic is to drink lots of water. I know I feel better the more water I drink.
Good luck! :)
> My depression and especially ANXIETY are magnified the second half of my cycle. For 2 weeks i feel like doo-doo, dont want to go anywhere or be around anyone, but bcos of obligations i do almost the same as the rest of the time. does any one have suggestions though of alternative treatments for pms that wouldn't interfere with an ssri. I've tried progesterone cream, not sure that worked, and calcium/magnesium, which helps just the littlest bit. one big thing is bloating...have any of you tried a diuretic before? Any related info or links are helpful...thanks ;)
>
poster:JLx
thread:267411
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031003/msgs/267469.html