Ketoacids, the end products of fat metabolism, help the kidneys clear excess sodium and water. Without them, sodium and water build up, causing weight gain and PMS symptoms such as breast congestion and tenderness, abdominal bloating and edema of the face and extremities. Sugar has also been shown to increase the formation of prostaglandins in the body. This can act on the smooth muscle of the uterus thus causing menstrual cramps. Sugar also increases urinary excretion of magnesium.
Most people understand the connection between a high fat diet and cardiovascular disease.
Other studies have shown that women eating a lower fat diet as compared to a high fat diet recorded less symptoms including less breast tenderness, bloating and localized swelling. Common sense dictates for women to reduce their sodium intake prior to the onset of menses. However, a study showed a higher salt intake can lead to symptoms such as sugar cravings, increased appetite and hypoglycemic symptoms following sugar ingestion. Moreover, researchers have noted that women with a tendency to premenstrual fluid retention also have a relative deficiency of dopamine at the renal level. Since dopamine promotes the excretion of sodium and urine, such a deficiency makes these women unusually prone to salt and water retention.