Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) And Vitamin B5

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. The occurrence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have more than doubled over the past 50 years due to the acceptance of it as a medical condition that is caused by unhealthy diet with high in saturated food. Premenstrual syndrome 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 vitamins B5 helps to treat PMS…

I. Definition
Vitamin B5 is water soluble vitamin, also known as pantothenic acid, it has a proven record in treating stress by enhancing the function of adrenal gland.

II. How vitamin B5 effects women with PMS
1. Energy
a) Vitamin B5 works together with other vitamin B complex to enhance function in carbohydrate and glucose metabolism, by converting them to energy to body cells need resulting in lessening the risk of fatigue and tiredness.
b) it also helps to improve liver function in carbohydrate synthesis and regulate the levels of insulin produced by pancreas in the body resulting in lessening the risk of food craving or diabetes.

2.Stress
Vitamin B5 is a neurotransmitters enhancer, it helps to improve the function of nervous cells in transporting information to each other resulting in increasing the adrenal function in hormone secretion thereby, decreasing the risk of nervous disorder including stress.

3. Cortisone
Cortisone is one of the main hormones released by the body as a reaction to stress, it elevates blood pressure and prepare the body for a fight or fight response. Vitamin B5 is vital in regulating the levels of cortisone resulting in improving the immune system and lessening the risk of nervous tension for some women with PMS.

4. Abdominal pains
Vitamin is also important in regulating the muscle movement in the body including the abdominal muscle. Deficiency of vitamin B5 causes abnormal function of uterus muscles resulting in menstrual pain and cramps.

5. Sleep disturbances and insomnia
As we known vitamin B5 is an neurotransmitters enhancer, deficiency of vitamin B5 causes irregular or over active brains cells resulting in increasing the risk of sleep disturbances and insomnia.