ABSTRACT
Background: Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] is one of the important health problems with high incidence; in young women. The exact cause of this syndrome is not clear and some theories have been declared from hormonal factors to nutritional disorders
Objective: We investigated the correlation between serum zinc and antioxidant status with PMS
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, forty eight young girls were selected from a total sample of 110 students residing at university dormitories including PMS [n=23] and healthy [n=25] groups based on PMS questionnaire
Dietary intake questionnaire and blood samples were collected from all participants
Serum total antioxidant capacity [TAG] and zinc concentrations were also measured
Results: Serum TAG and zinc concentrations were lower in PMS patients compared with healthy groups [p<0.0l and p<0.05? respectively]. Healthy control consumed lower servings of hydrogenated oils [p<0.05]
There were significant differences in terms of muscle mass between the PMS and healthy groups [p<0.05]. Both serum TAG and zinc levels were negatively correlated to PMS scores [r=-0.39, p<0.05 and r= -036; p<0.05, respectively]
Conclusion: This study shows that higher TAG and zinc serum levels are associated with lower risk of PMS. PMS cases have more hydrogenated oils than their normal counterparts