N°66 - Ingrédients / Santé de la femme Specific ingredients at all Fearful of the secondary effects of the drugs, unsatis ed with the prescribed treatments, wish to be in control of their health : women are turning towards alternative therapies as a means of support throughout the main stages of their life. 078 The premenstrual syndrome, urinarytract infections, menopausal disor-ders and osteoporosis, these are theanxiety, anger and depression. The personsaffected by this syndrome can experienceone or several of these symptoms at the target of a large number of herbal ingre- same time. dients and supplements, probiotics, vita- Research indicates a serotonin imbalance mins and minerals. Nevertheless, not all of the central nervous system amongst of them have proved their efficacy so far. the women who suffer from the premens- Scientifically documented and particularly trual syndrome. This relationship has been promising strategies have been put in place confirmed by the positive results obtained on a number of them. with serotonin inhibitors. Despite the effi- cacy of antidepressants and oral contracep- The premenstrual syndrome: tives, certain women who do not tolerate seven ingredients to be tested these treatments are looking for alternative solutions. The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a Ingredients that have recently been resear- recurrent problem amongst women of child- ched include saffron, curcumin (see also bearing age. It is characterized by a seriesVidya Herbs interview, this issue), trypto- of physical, psychological and behavioural phan, chaste tree (Vitex Agnus-castus), symptoms that occur during the luteal phase ginger, valerian, primrose. of each menstrual cycle and quickly disap- pear a few days after the the onset of the Urinary Tract Infections: menses. Nearly 80 to 90% of women expe- ingredients to combine rience this syndrome. The most common physical symptoms are fatigue, headache, Urinary tract infections are the most common bloating, sensitivity and swelling in the bacterial infections in women. One in three breasts, oedema, weight gain and skin rash. women will have at least one urinary tract They are often accompanied by irritability, infection by the age of 24. In fact, they are ■ / Janvier - Février - Mars 2019 / N°66 / L’Actualité des Ingrédients Fonctionnels & Santé