Getting in Balance
Estrogen and progesterone are the main hormones influencing the female menstrual cycle. When they are out of balance, PMS ensues. It seems that excessive estrogen is the main culprit for the PMS symptoms. Therefore, reducing the estrogen during the cycle can help reduce and eliminate the PMS symptoms.
But how does estrogen affect the amount of dopamine in the brain? This is important because dopamine is the fight or flight neurotransmitter. It's production increases awareness and sensitivity to the environment. But too much dopamine leads to irritability and anxiety and fatigue.
Dopamine is created in the brain and metabolized in the brain. It has its effects on the neurons relating to the fight or flight actions. Dopamine production is heightened in a fight or flight scenario. When a person is finished with the fight or flight situation, the dopamine is metabolized and brought into a balance. One of the enzymes that processes and gets rid of the dopamine is the COMT enzyme. This is where estrogen plays a role in creating excess dopamine. This is because the COMT enzyme processes and breaks down estrogen, as well. But the problem arises because estrogen is a very large molecule compared to dopamine and it slows down the COMT, considerably. When the COMT slows down then dopamine backs up and in the sink analogy starts to overflow the sink. This creates dopamine affects of irritability and anxiety in the brain that are more intense and last longer.
The solution is to decrease the excessive estrogen circulating(slow the filling of the sink) and get the COMT enzyme to process the estrogen and dopamine more efficiently(open the sink drain).
Dopamine------>COMT(Fast)
Dopamine+Estrogen------>COMT(Slow)
First, to decrease the circulating estrogen and bring it into balance, we have to get the liver to metabolize the hormones better. This is done with a liver detox supplement and another supplement called diindolylmethane or DIM for short. DIM is an extract of cruciferous vegetable, such as broccoli and along with a liver detox product can bring the hormones into balance, reduce the estrogen and help reduce the PMS symptoms.
Second. along with liver processing of hormones to reduce estrogen, we can enhance the throughput of the COMT enzyme to reduce the amount of dopamine in the brain. Enzymes use cofactors to enhance their reactive processes. If these cofactors are low then the enzymes are less efficient. The two main cofactors to help the COMT enzyme process efficiently are SAMe and Magnesium. SAMe comes from the methylation cycle and Magnesium is a mineral that is easily found in supplements. These two cofactors are burned up and consumed by the COMT enzyme during estrogen and dopamine metabolism and have to be constantly replaced for the enzyme's optimal action.
SAMe is a product of the methylation cycle which is best addressed by consuming methylated food products and/or supplements. These are related to methyl B12 and methyl folate. These 2 vitamins are processed in the methylation cycle and eventually produce SAMe. Foods with the 2 vitamins are leafy greens for folates and meats for B12. I don't recommend consuming SAMe directly because the methylation cycle has feedback inhibition and SAMe can inadvertently feedback inhibit some of the processes in the cycle that we don't want to slow.
Magnesium is a mineral easily obtained in a lot of supplements formulations. I don't think any one type of magnesium is better absorbed than another. But, I will caution to avoid Magnesium citrate because in the doses needed for this remedy, it can cause loose stool.
Recap
PMS is caused by excessive estrogen causing bloating, breast tenderness, heavy menstruation, and excessive dopamine causing irritability.
To reduce PMS symptoms, reduce circulating estrogen in the body and increase dopamine metabolism in the brain.
Reducing circulating estrogen is done by enhancing the liver's ability to process hormones by taking liver detox and DIM supplements.
Increasing dopamine metabolism is done by increasing the COMT enzyme throughput by supplying the cofactors of Magnesium and SAMe. SAMe is increased by increasing the methylation cycle with methyl B12 and Methyl Folate supplements.
All of the above should help correct PMS in a short time of 2-4 weeks.
As always, if the situation becomes overwhelming, seek professional help regarding your physical and mental symptoms.
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