Study, 1991
Do women with PMS have different blood fatty acids than healthy women?
Yes. Women with PMS have higher amounts of linoleic acid but lower amounts of what their body should make from it. This suggests their bodies may not process this fatty acid correctly.
What they did
Researchers measured fatty acids in the blood of women in different groups: women with PMS, women with breast tenderness that comes and goes with their cycle, women with breast tenderness that does not change with their cycle, and healthy women. They compared fatty acid levels between groups.
What they found
All groups with PMS or breast symptoms had the same abnormal pattern compared to healthy women. They had more linoleic acid than healthy women, but less of the substances their body should make from it. This indicates a problem in how their body processes linoleic acid.
What it means for you
Some women with PMS may have a problem converting an essential fatty acid in their body. This could be tested and possibly treated. The main limits are the study does not say how many women were in each group, and it is not clear how this fatty acid problem causes PMS symptoms.
2
groups with PMS studied
About the study
- Original title
- Abnormalities in Plasma Essential Fatty Acid Levels in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and with Non-malignant Breast Disease
- Authors
- David F. Horrobin, Mehar S. Manku, M. G. Brush et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Nutritional Medicine
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None (blood test study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/13590849109084123
Topics
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