I have something to confess: PMS turns me into a hormonal mess. I have literally cried over spilt milk in one particular previous premenstrual whirlwind. I’m not alone either, with around 25% of women of reproductive age suffering moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome symptoms, which occur 1-2 weeks before menstruation.
It’s not nice for me, or the people around me who have to put up with my monthly mood swings, irritability and emotional outbursts; so when I saw Viridian Nutrition’s new Women’s Health range, I was hopeful that I would find something to ease my symptoms naturally.
I tested the Magnesium, B6 and Saffron food supplements, which come in a handy little glass bottle (which you can recycle at your local health food store) of 60 vegetarian capsules, of which one is to be taken twice daily, or as recommended by your healthcare professional.
Saffron, a highly prized spice from the crocus flower, is often praised for its ability to improve mood and wellbeing, and has been shown in a number of clinical studies to reduce symptoms of PMS such as emotional symptoms, depression and food cravings.
Magnesium and vitamin B6 have also been shown to reduce PMS symptoms including cravings, fluid retention and anxiety in a number of studies, and have been shown to be even more effective when used together.
I took the supplements twice daily with food, and I must say that I wasn’t fully aware of the positive effects they were having until I forgot to take them for a couple of days. Out of nowhere I felt tired, sluggish and a little grouchy. “Where has this come from?” I asked myself. Of course – I hadn’t taken the capsules for a few days without even realising. “Could that be it?” I wondered.
I thought back to how I’d felt a few days previous, and I HAD received comments from my colleagues exclaiming how happy and full of energy I’d been. I was so pleased, and started taking the supplements again as soon as I realised what a positive change they had made to my mood and energy levels.
UK-based and family-owned company Viridian Nutrition are renowned for maintaining an ethical philosophy at every stage of the manufacturing process. They guarantee non-GM, non-irradiated and 100% active ingredients with no nasty additives whatsoever, and are absolutely against animal testing.
Priced at £21.85 for 60 capsules, these aren’t the cheapest supplements on the market, but you can be safe in the knowledge that they are of the highest quality possible.
I’ll be continuing to take the Magnesium, B6 and Saffron capsules in the hope of keeping the monster inside of me at bay for another month.
If you’d like to take a look at all of the other products in their Female Health range, click here.
