B vitamins are essential for good health and well-being, and play a key role is a variety of bodily functions, such as reducing many of the psychological symptoms of PMT (pre-menstrual tension). Evening primrose oil is another nutrient that has shown effectiveness in reducing these symptoms, primarily due to its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
In this article you can find:
- What is vitamin B and how does it help relieve PMT?
- What is evening primrose oil and how does it help relieve PMT?
What is vitamin B and how does it help relieve PMT?
B vitamins are a type of water-soluble vitamins. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins which are stored in our fatty tissue, our body cannot store them, and thereby we must frequently consume them from our diet. B vitamins have been found effective in PMT, particularly vitamin B6 and vitamin B2.
Vitamin B6, also referred to as pyridoxine, plays a key role in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, the creation of red blood cells, as well as the biosynthesis neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, also known as the “happy hormones”. Dopamine is involved in the brain’s pleasure and reward system, while serotonin helps to stabilize our mood, and feelings of well-being. Thus, higher levels of dopamine and serotonin improve overall mood, which can ultimately help relieve psychological symptoms of PMT such as moodiness, irritability, and anxiety.
Like all B vitamins, vitamin B2, or riboflavin, plays a key role in helping to convert dietary energy, glucose, into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy that cells use to power life-sustaining operations. Thereby, if you are deficient in B vitamins, your energy levels can be affected. Vitamin B2, in particular, is useful for reducing stress associated with PMT by promoting healthy nervous system function. When the nervous system is functioning correctly, they adrenal glands do not secrete as much cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, which is needed for the fight or flight response, that is the response to perceived threats.
What is evening primrose oil and how does it help relieve PMT?
Evening primrose oil refers to the oil from the seeds of a plant native to Europe and North America, the yellow evening primrose wildflower. For centuries, the plant has been used for various conditions, including bruises, hemorrhoids, digestive issues, and sore throats. Its healing benefits are primarily due to its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of omega-6 fatty acid. GLA has also shown effectiveness in reducing PMS symptoms such as depression, irritability, breast tenderness, and bloating. It is thought that this is due to GLA’s ability to convert to a substance called prostaglandin E1, which is believed to stabilize prolactin levels in the body, the hormone which is said to trigger PMS.
Sona PMT pack combines the benefits of Vitamin B6 with 500mg Sona Evening Primrose Oil to help maintain hormonal balance and reduce feelings of stress.
References
- Abo-Gresha, N. M., Abel-Aziz, E. Z., & Greish, S. M. (2014). Evening primrose oil ameliorates platelet aggregation and improves cardiac recovery in myocardial-infarct hypercholesterolemic rats. International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 6(1), 23–36.
- B Vitamins. (2021). Retrieved 3 August 2021, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins/vitamin-b/.
- Horrobin D. F. (1983). The role of essential fatty acids and prostaglandins in the premenstrual syndrome. The Journal of reproductive medicine, 28(7), 465–468.
- Huskisson, E., Maggini, S., & Ruf, M. (2007). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Energy Metabolism and Well-Being. Journal Of International Medical Research, 35(3), 277-289. doi: 10.1177/147323000703500301.
- Kennedy, D. (2016). B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review. Nutrients, 8(2), 68. doi: 10.3390/nu8020068.
- Mahboubi M. (2019). Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Oil in Management of Female Ailments. Journal of menopausal medicine, 25(2), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.18190.
- Office of Dietary Supplements - Zinc. (2021). Retrieved 12 July 2021, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/%20Zinc-HealthProfessional//.
- Young, L., Pipingas, A., White, D., Gauci, S., & Scholey, A. (2019). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and ‘At-Risk’ Individuals. Nutrients, 11(9), 2232. doi: 10.3390/nu11092232.