One of the products put out by Metagenic's called Estrobalance works well for symptoms of PMS with improvement of up to 50 - 75% in irritability breast tenderness, bloating, depression and water retention.

Estobalance is a nutritional food product made from Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) a phytoestrogen an excellent source for genistein and daidzein. Combined with Sterols /lignans from Flaxseeds. This product has the ability to raise sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which results in a lower level of free estrogen (this product should not be used for menopausal women).

Another herbal product that we use at our center to improve PMS is Chaste Tree extract (Vitex agnus-castus) Chaste tree berry extract contains an active principle(s) that binds to dopamine (D2) receptors in the hypothalamus/anterior pituitary, which action inhibits the release of prolactin. Decreased serum prolactin levels result in increased secretion of progesterone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It has been demonstrated that patients who experience PMS have high levels of prolactin; thus chaste tree berry may correct the hyperprolactinemia, permit normal corpus luteum formation and alleviate the distress of PMS, Vitex has no direct hormonal activity; it is therefore, NOT a phytoestrogen.

In a recent study 170 women (average age 36) diagnosed with PMS participated in this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. The women received either one 20-milligram tablet of Vitex extract or a placebo pill each day, at the start of their menstrual cycle.

After 3 months of treatment, the women's symptoms were assessed both by the participants themselves and by their physicians with an assessment called clinical global impression.

The results showed that 52% of the women taking Vitex had significant improvement, compare to 24% in the placebo group. The greatest benefit was seen in reductions of irritability, mood changes, anger, headache, and breast fullness. (Reported in the British Medical Journal 2001). Vitex agnus-castus is used in a standardized extract (.5% agnuside): at a dose of 175 to 225 mg daily.

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