Study: PMS symptoms reduced by 44% with krill oil formulation

Study: PMS symptoms reduced by 44% with krill oil formulation

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A new study has indicated that a unique combination of ingredients in a krill oil supplement may be effective at reducing 10 of the most common psychological and physical symptoms of PMS by an average of 44%. 

The study was conducted over four months with 29 women who suffered from some or all of the symptoms listed in the table below. The results indicated that improvements ranged from between 10 – 80% after 90 days of supplementation and every one of the women reported some improvement.  

Furthermore, it was shown that those participants with the most severe symptoms appeared to benefit the most with all symptoms reducing by at least an average of 59%.  The greatest improvement for all women on average was in breast tenderness with those experiencing the most severe tenderness indicating an improvement of 81%!

PMS affects a huge number of women with one of the largest European studies estimating that up to 60% of women of reproductive age suffer with some symptoms of PMS.  The Royal College of Gynaecologists provide a template for treatment of PMS with initial interventions including such suggestions as exercise, cognitive behaviour therapy and vitamin B6 through more potent forms of intervention like SSRI’s, estradiol patches and oral progesterone to, in the most severe cases, total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy plus hormone replacement therapy.

The study’s author, Michael Wakeman notes "there is a justified role and possibly, responsibility to use a natural approach and/or dietary interventions as first line strategies in the management of PMS in order to spare the patient the potential side effects and hazards associated with the latter stages of the (treatments suggested)”. In the UK 45% of prescriptions for PMS are for psychotropic medications, 21% for hormones, 9% for analgesics and 16% for other medications, yet only 9% for vitamins.

This study adds weight to the call for further research into the effect Omega 3 from Krill Oil added together with vitamins and phytonutrients can have in the relief of symptoms of PMS.

The specific formulation used for the study incorporated vitamins and phytonutrients that have all been associated with improvements in PMS symptoms but this is the first study into the effects of combining all these in a single presentation.  

• Omega 3 from Pure Antarctic Krill Oil
• B Vitamins
• Soy Isoflavones
• Rosemary Extract
• Vitamin D3

The formulation used in the study containing these ingredients was Cleanmarine Krill Oil for Women

Wakeman concludes "The results suggest Cleanmarine Krill Oil for Women represents a likely safe and effective first stage intervention for PMS and is worthy of further investigation”