What exactly is PMS, and why use this formula?
PMS usually occurs about 2 weeks before menstrual flow begins, and typically lasts 2 to 3 days. However, while short-lived, the fluctuations in hormones can be very disruptive to your everyday life.

The two characteristic types of disturbances are psychological and physical. Serotonin, a hormone found in the brain that controls mood, sleep and emotions, is responsible for the psychological symptoms associated with PMS. Physical symptoms of PMS on the other hand, are generally due to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels - two of the primary female sex hormones.

Commonly Reported PMS Symptoms include:

• Hormonal acne
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Feeling tired
• Occasional sleeplessness
• Upset stomach, bloating, occasional constipation, or loose stools
• Appetite changes or food cravings
• Trouble concentrating or remembering
• Tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells
• Anxiety

Between 70-90% of American women of childbearing age experience uncomfortable symptoms associated with their menstrual cycle. Twenty to 40% of this group (12-25 million women) feels their symptoms are severe enough to be diagnosed as PMS.

An average woman experiences 481 menstrual cycles (age 14-51) in her lifetime. Women with severe symptoms of PMS report an average of 6.4 days of symptoms per cycle--that adds up to about an 8 year total! 

PMS Escape^† -  the right blend of simple and complex carbohydrates:
PMS Escape is a patented blend of simple and complex carbohydrates that are clinically shown to elevate serotonin levels.^† The dextrose provides the quick response with the maltodextrin and potato starch providing the sustained response for PMS symptom relief.^† Clinical studies have shown:

• 40% increase in energy levels^†
• 66% reduction in irritability^†
• Improved mood^†
• Decreased feelings of stress^†
• Reduced sugar & carbohydrate cravings^†
• Increased tryptophan levels, to provote higher serotonin levels^†

The other ingredients in PMS Escape^† do their part to help you "return to yourself" as well:

• Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant specifically linked to healthy heart and immune function.^† Nerve endings in the brain contain the second highest concentration of vitamin C in the human body.

• Vitamin B6 helps increase production of tryptophan and serotonin in the brain.^† It helps relieve the emotional symptoms (tension and irritability) of premenstrual syndrome.^†

• Calcium supplementation has been shown to alleviate many of the changes in mood associated with premenstrual syndrome.^†

• Magnesium can help relieve mood-related symptoms--did you know that low magnesium levels have been reported in women with PMS?^†

Sustained Balance™ Blend

Good Sugars, Bad Sugars
Much as there are good fats and bad fats, there are good sugars and bad sugars. Did you know that dextrose, for instance, is the only fuel your brain uses for energy? Dextrose actually provides the fuel that lets the brain proteins build cells, produce chemicals for nerves (called "neurons") to communicate, and repair damage from oxidative stress.^†

Dextrose: fuel for our brain^†
In fact, dextrose fuels our learning ability and mental performance.^† But, because your brain doesn't store much dextrose, it relies on your blood for its supply. This makes the brain very susceptible to low blood dextrose, and explains in part why you might get irritable during PMS.

Since PMS affects the brain causing mood swings, carbohydrate cravings, occasional fatigue, and irritability, dextrose is part of a solid solution for PMS symptoms.^† Maltodextrin, a set of dextrose units linked together, takes longer for the body and brain to use.^† It provides the sustained benefits (up to 4 hours) of the initial boost from dextrose in the formula.^† 

Avoid that snack machine
Given the brain's need for fuel, it's understandable that sugar cravings usually occur between meals. The problem is, the sugar you're likely to get from a snack is only of one kind - simple. It may provide a quick jolt of energy, but it's quickly spent, and you may feel even more tired feeling than you were before.