Premenstrual syndrome effects over 70% to 90% of women before menopause in the US and less for women in Southeast Asia because of their difference in living style and social structure. It is defined as faulty function of the ovaries related to the women’s menstrual cycle, it effects a women’s physical and emotional state, and sometimes interferes with daily activities as a result of hormone fluctuation. The syndrome occurs one to two weeks before menstruation and then declines when the period starts. In this article, we will discuss how vitamin B3 helps to treat PMS..
Vitamin B3, also known as nicotinic acid or niacin is one the member of the vitamin B complex whichs act-interrelates to promote effectiveness of each member. It has 2 other forms, niacinamide (nicotinamide) and inositol hexanicotinate, which have different effects from niacin.
II. How vitamin B3 effects women with PMS
1. Carbohydrate metabolism
Vitamin B3 is important in helping our body to convert carbohydrate to energy which is vital for our body daily activity. Deficiency of vitamin B3 causes irregular function of enzyme formation resulting in fatigue, tiredness and nervous symptoms for women with PMS.
2. Glucose metabolism
Besides helping our body in carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin B3 also help to convert glucose for energy. Deficiency of vitamin B3 decrease our body in glucose metabolism resulting in unbalancing of levels of sugar in the bloodstream causing food craving and nervous symptoms.
3. Blood sugar regulating
It also helps to regulate the sugar in blood level and helps liver in toxins elimination resulting in improving liver function in regulating the function of pancreas in production of insulin.
4. Nervous system
Researchers found that most women with PMS and children with autism have vitamin B3 deficiency leading to nervous tension including irritability, aggression, depression and learning difficulty.
5. Enhance circulating system
vitamin B3 is also essential for improving the function of circulatory system in transport vital nutrition and oxygen for our body by decreasing the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides resulting in promoting over all health, thereby, reducing the symptoms of PMS.
