PMS Pill?

For women who suffer from PMS, a daily dose of Tums, those tried-and-true chewables for sour stomach, may also be the ticket to relief from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A major study found that more than half the women who took four Tums tablets a day had fewer physical and psychological symptoms. Why? Tums contain calcium carbonate, an easily absorbed form of calcium. Researchers believe PMS could be related to a hormone imbalance that can be corrected by taking 1,200 milligrams of calcium, the recommended daily allowance.

But gobbling Tums is not a cure-all. Exercise and a balanced diet are still the best weapons against the monthly misery caused by PMS. A calcium-packed daily diet includes whole foods containing calcium, such as leafy green vegetables, and the equivalent of three glasses of skim milk or servings of yogurt.