From: Ron Hoggan
Date: Tue, 04 Jun 1996
Subject: PMS AND SEROTONIN

There is a whole pile of conflicting information out there about serotonin. In "PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY" 6 th ed. by Tortora & Anagnostakos, pub. Harper & Row, 1990. On page 409, serotonin is described as follows:
"Concentrated in neurons in the raphe nucleus in the brain stem; leads to excitation and may be involved in inducing sleep, sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood.

It is, of course, a neurotransmitter.

In the same text, on page 350, "acidosis" is defined as: "a decrease in ph below 7.35, results in a depressive progression of neuronal activity that can produce apathy, weakness, and a comatose state.

Largilliere, et. al. in "Pseudo-glutaric aciduria type II in a patient with celiac disease" page 504, "JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS" March, 1993, identify a deficiency in essential fatty acid deficiency in a child with celiac disease showed test results that indicated glutaric aciduria type II, without the clinical history to go with it. Further exploration revealed serum antibodies, which led, ultimately, to a diagnosis of gluten intolerance.

This may all seem a little random, but my point is that mood control is, in part, a function of serotonin, which can be effected by gluten, in susceptible individuals.

Just prior to menses, women experience increased intestinal permeability. (I'll have to look up the reference on that, but it struck me as so odd, that it stuck in my mind. I wish the source had been as memorable. )

Serotonin levels might also be effected by the exogenous opioids during this period of increased intestinal permeability.

In either case, it would seem advisable to try going gluten-free, and milk free, for 3 days before menses. It might eliminate PMS. I would sure be interested in hearing if it works.

I am not a doctor.

I hope that is helpful,

Ron Hoggan