Oxaloacetate significantly lowers Premenstrual mood Symptoms, finds study

In response to the clinical trial results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed OAA manufacturers to include the structure/function claim of "Oxaloacetate may help alleviate the mild to moderate psychological and/or behavioral symptoms associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)."

"These results will certainly encourage further study," says Dr. Tully. "The significance of symptom relief without hormone disruption or altering serotonin activity, like an SSRI, evolves our understanding of the root cause of PMS mood symptoms and may provide patients an additional treatment option."

Researchers theorize that oxaloacetate relieves PMS-related mood symptoms by improving glucose metabolism in both the brain and body. Studies have shown that the cerebellum, a part of the brain now tied to mood regulation, requires much higher levels of glucose than normal during PMS. As well, a study has shown oxaloacetate supplementation to support healthy blood sugar levels.

Thus, researchers hypothesize that increased oxaloacetate intake allows the liver to maintain a steady supply of glucose to the cerebellum and, simultaneously, improve the ability of brain cells in the cerebellum to process glucose more efficiently.

"This mechanism would explain why a hallmark of PMS is a craving for high-sugar and high-fat foods," says Dr. Tully. "It also explains why so many women experience temporary relief from these foods, but symptoms return after the sugar crash."