--- title: Can whey protein help premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? description: In one case study, a woman with PMDD perceived substantial relief of her symptoms (approximately 80-95% improvement) when she took whey protein concentrate da url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/whey-protein-concentrate-as-a-tryptophan-based-nutritional-intervention-for-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can whey protein help premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? Case report, 2025 # Can whey protein help premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? In one case study, a woman with PMDD perceived substantial relief of her symptoms (approximately 80-95% improvement) when she took whey protein concentrate daily for 8 days before her period. Early or limited evidence One 38-year-old woman with clinically diagnosed PMDD ## What they did Case study of one 38-year-old woman with clinically diagnosed PMDD. She consumed 5 tablespoons of whey protein concentrate blended into a carbohydrate-rich smoothie daily for 8 days before menstruation across 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, tracking her symptoms. ## What they found The woman perceived substantial symptom relief of approximately 80-95% compared to her symptoms in previous cycles. No adverse effects were reported. The case study covered 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. ## What it means for you Whey protein may help reduce PMDD symptoms because it contains tryptophan, which the brain uses to make serotonin (a mood chemical). When eaten with carbohydrates, tryptophan travels to the brain more easily. However, this is only one person's experience with no control comparison. More research is needed to confirm whether whey protein actually helps PMDD and determine the right amount. 5 tbsp Whey protein concentrate taken daily 80-95% Perceived symptom relief compared to previous cycles 8 days Duration of treatment before each menstruation ## About the study Original title Whey Protein Concentrate as a Tryptophan-Based Nutritional Intervention for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): A 3-Month Case Study Authors Kazzi F Journal Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) Year 2025 Study design Case report What was tested 5 tablespoons of whey protein concentrate in a carbohydrate smoothie for 8 days before menstruation Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41586426/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41586426/) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Reproductive hormone sensitivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-hormone-sensitivity/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2025 How do hormone changes across the menstrual cycle affect mood and behavior in psychiatric disorders? Systematic review, 2026 Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Systematic review, 2025 How do cognition and behavior change across the menstrual cycle in people with PMDD? Survey study, 2020 What symptoms best predict whether PMDD will seriously affect daily life? Survey study, 2018 Does the menstrual cycle affect emotions and thinking ability? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗