Therapeutic carbohydrate blends for treating and aiding premenstrual syndrome

Abstract

A composition is disclosed for alleviating or managing symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome "PMS" comprising an effective amount of an aqueous mixture of water and a rapidly digestible carbohydrate blend. The aqueous mixture is essentially free of protein and is characterized by a certain pH and ratio of water to carbohydrate blend. Methods of use of the composition for alleviating or managing symptoms associated with PMS are also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to novel therapeutic compositions comprising carbohydrate blends and to methods of using the foregoing for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEach month, for a few days prior to the onset of menstruation, many millions of otherwise-healthy American women develop symptoms of disturbed mood and appetite that can be strikingly similar to those reported by patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), carbohydrate-craving obesity, or the non-anorexia variants of bulimia. This syndrome was first termed "premenstrual tension" by R. T. Frank in 1931 and is a very common phenomenon. According to Guy Abraham of UCLS, ". . . of every ten patients to walk into a gynecologist's office, three or four will suffer from premenstrual tension . . . ", and in some the symptoms will be of such severity as to include attempts at suicide. Current Progress in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3:5-39 (1980).Initi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a new therapeutic composition that can help alleviate and prevent premenstrual symptoms (PMS) such as mood and appetite disturbances. The composition is made up of carbohydrates that are quickly digestible and free of fats. The carbohydrates can be in the form of a solution or a blend of dextrose and starch. The solution should have a pH of less than 6 and contain an acidulant. The composition is believed to increase the ratio of T:LNAA in the blood stream, which is important for serotonin production in the brain. The composition can also be combined with other useful agents such as vitamins, amino acids, ovarian hormones, detoxifying agents, and diuretics. The invention can potentially be used for the treatment of other symptoms and disorders such as appetite control, anxiety and depression, and smoking."

Problems solved by technology

However, it soon became evident that it was also a consequence of the widespread tendency of PMS individuals to crave and over-consume carbohydrates, particularly foods with a sweet taste.

Others suggested its cause to be over-consumption of sweets, which presumably is followed by excessive insulin secretion, hypoglycemia, and inadequate brain glucose and results in the oft observed depression and anxiety.

However, none of these theories has been substantiated.

These approaches all have had limited success, however.

Currently there is no means of treating the mood and appetite disturbances commonly experienced on a recurring basis by a large number of women.

While carbohydrates from normal food can shift this T:LNAA ratio to a limited extent, these normal foods also contain fats and other fibers, both of which slow down digestion and otherwise interfere with the necessary shift in the balance of amino acids in the blood.