A new over-the-counter supplement specifically formulated to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is now available.

PremCal, an all-natural product, acts to restore the body's calcium and vitamin D absorption to normalize the exaggerated fluctuations of the calcium hormones that trigger PMS, a press release said.

According to John Bilezikian, M.D., Professor of Medicine & Pharmacology, and Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Columbia University: "PMS is not a normal biological condition and women need not suffer from its often debilitating physical and emotional symptoms." He explained that in some women with PMS, a mineral deficiency is present. This mineral deficiency can be treated easily by the right formulation of ingredients found in PremCal.

It is estimated that as many as half of the 70 million menstruating women in the US have PMS symptoms, but only five million seek treatment. Approximately 150 symptoms have been identified, the most common of which include abdominal bloating, irritability, mood swings, headache, weight gain, fatigue, food cravings, tension and breast swelling.

Some studies have provided support for the idea that in PMS, the mineral deficiency syndrome leads to recruitment of calcium from bones where it is normally stored. Calcium is the most important mineral in the body and one of the most important "messengers" involved in the regulation of most biological functions and systems, including hormones, muscles and clotting.

PremCal provides relief of PMS symptoms by restoring the body's balance of essential minerals and vitamins, specifically calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D, the active ingredients in the over-the-counter supplement.

Dosing is determined by vitamin D levels or (in the absence of these levels), sun exposure and sensitivity to sunlight, not the severity of PMS symptoms. Vitamin D is a hormone that helps the body absorb calcium and available naturally only in fortified milk and a minimum of 15 minutes daily of unprotected sunlight.

PremCal is the only product available in three different strengths of vitamin D: Light (Vitamin D- 500 IU with calcium 500 mg) for women who have prolonged exposure to sunlight, such as sunbathing outdoor work and ultraviolet (UV) sun tanning, particularly if they have fair skin; Regular (Vitamin D- 750 IU with calcium 500 mg) for the majority of women who live in temperate climates (most of North & South America, Europe and Asia); Extra Strength (Vitamin D -1000 IU with calcium 500 mg) for women with higher vitamin D requirements and for women with abnormally low exposure to sunlight due to climate, clothing requirements, skin cancer risk, etc., as well as during the winter for African-American and Hispanic women with deeply toned skin.

PremCal is manufactured by DannMarie, LLC, a New York-based company. It was created by Susan Thys-Jacobs, M.D., an endocrinologist who based the formula on her extensive clinical experience and research in calcium.