Calcium Can Fight PMS

By Smarty

PMS is the term used to describe the symptoms that happen to you before your period starts. Most experience mood changes or physical discomfort, but when the symptoms are intense and interfere with your daily life, it is then classified as premenstrual syndrome. Calcium is known to reduce the symptoms of PMS. It acts on the endocrine system, which regulates hormone production.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the main minerals in the body. It is mostly stored in the bones and teeth. Calcium is used for many of our bodies needs. These needs include:

Muscle Contraction
Blood Vessel Contraction & Expansion
Secretion of hormones & Enzymes
Sending messages through the nervous system.
Helps to maintain bones and teeth

If you deprive your body of the proper amount of calcium your body will begin to break down your bones to maintain the calcium level in your blood. This will cause your bones to weaken and make them easier to break.

Why is calcium good for me?

Calcium is found in most diary products, such as cheese, milk and some meat. With the adequate amount of calcium in your body, the bones maintain their strength. Calcium is significant in regenerating the skeletal system. It also works as an electrolyte in the brain, fights stress to defend the immune system, and it blocks hazardous materials we absorb from our diets and environment, and is essential in the nourishment of cells. When calcium is taken with magnesium and vitamin D, it helps with concentration, reduces cramping, bloating, and mood swings, which are all symptoms of PMS. Recommendations for the amount of calcium depend on your age:

Women 19-50 need 1,000mg of calcium a day
Women 51 and over need 1,200mg of calcium a day

Calcium and PMS

Many of you may not know that calcium resides in blood. Blood is lost in large amounts during your cycle. Most of you lose a lot of calcium due to loss of blood during your monthly cycle and dont pay attention to it. Women are high risk for developing osteoporosis as a result of this loss. Osteoporosis is the deterioration of the bone structure causing the body to weaken and bend. Women who develop this tend to have a slouch posture and a bad back.

Prevention

Diet and exercise is recommended to maintain your bodys calcium level. A special diet of milk, cheese and other diary products is a great source of calcium. It is important to make sure the items you consume also contain Vitamin D and Magnesium. They help the body to absorb all the calcium in the food. Many women take supplements as well. Exercise is so important if you are suffering with PMS. It makes the bones stronger and more capable of dealing with the changes in the body. During exercise, the bones are trained to work harder and consume less amounts of calcium. This helps the body cope with the low calcium level.

Source Credit:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/14/earlyshow/contributors/emilysenay/main701603.shtml http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp http://ezinearticles.com/?PMS-Treatment&id=140732 http://ezinearticles.com/?Relieve-PMS-with-the-Food-Diet-Changes&id=64315 http://www.spiritual-avenue.com/news/health/calcium_can_fight_pms_.html

Photo Credit: dklimke

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This entry was written by Smarty.

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