PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, affects three out of every four women who are menstruating, according to MayoClinic.com. Maximum PMS symptoms tend to occur when you are in your late 20s to 30s. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, cramping, headaches and increased appetite. The Atkins Diet strictly restricts certain food groups, which may negatively effect PMS symptoms. Hormones fluctuate during the last week of your menstruation cycle, which is when many women experience symptoms of PMS. Diet can help to naturally alleviate some of the symptoms.
Atkins Diet Restrictions
The Atkins Diet consists of four phases. The first is the most stringent and may pose the highest risk of increased PMS symptoms. During the first phase of the diet, carbohydrates are limited to only 20 g per day, or 10 percent of your total daily calories. The Institute of Medicine recommends obtaining 45 percent to 65 percent of your total daily calories from carbohydrates. The diet is meant to become a lifelong eating plan, and you end up consuming a maximum of 45 g to 100 g of carbohydrates per day, which may still be low during your time of PMS. Sugar is also vastly limited on the Atkins diet and may lead to low blood sugar, which can aggravate PMS as well.
Carbohydrates and PMS
Increasing your consumption of carbohydrates during PMS is recommended by MayoClinic to alleviate symptoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that, "carbohydrates increase blood levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that converts to serotonin, the brain chemical important for feelings of well-being." Therefore, if you are on the Atkins Diet, your low intake of carbohydrates may be contributing to heightened PMS symptoms of anxiety, depression and mood swings. Your body also uses carbohydrates as energy, so low-carbohydrate diets can increase fatigue during PMS.
Natural Remedies to Counter Carbohydrates
If you are on the Atkins diet during your time of PMS, you can try herbs to combat increased symptoms such as anxiety and mood fluctuations. Kava kava, St. John's wort and chasteberry are all used as natural treatments for PMS. These herbs have sedative effects, so they help calm feelings of being on edge. They may also enhance your mood and provide you with a sense of well-being. You should not take these herbs all together. Please talk with your doctor before treating your PMS with herbs, as they can interact with medications you already are taking.
Warning
Immediately consult your doctor if your PMS symptoms are leading to suicidal thoughts. PMS can be mistaken for PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is a serious condition that causes depression and should be treated with medical assistance. Additionally, you should talk with your doctor before beginning any low-carbohydrate diets, as they can lead to loss of energy, insufficient fiber consumption, ketosis and low blood sugar.
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