When Chris left the office for lunch, she had only one thing on her mind - chocolate. If she could stuff down seven or eight bars before getting back to her desk, she might be able to make it throught the afternoon without wanting to hit someone.

At home, she'd go straight to the kitchen, rip open the biscuit tin and eat four Penguin bars from her daughter's supply - even more if she thought no one would notice.
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'I'm amazed now when I think about what I used to eat', says Chris, 37. 'But I had a huge craving for chocolate that I couldn't satisfy. I could also feel anger welling up in me all the time and this would go on for three weeks of every month.

'It affected my marriage because, although I'm normally a loving person, as soon as the feelings started I wouldn't want to know my husband Gary. I couldn't bear him being near me. He said the change would happen so quickly, it was like flicking a switch.

Chris, who is a PA to a company director, was so worried about her mood swings and eating habits that she mentioned them to her doctor. He told her she definitely had PMS and might be able to lessen the symptoms by giving up chocolate and sugar.

But it wasn't until she contacted the Women's Nutritional Advisory Service (WNAS) that she made a change. They recommended that she follow a special diet that involved cutting out wheat, sugar, salt and chocolate.

'I started it in September and by December I was almost cured,' reveals Chris. 'I've been on it for a year now and my husband is delighted with the change in me.'

Nutritionist Maryon Stewart, who tailors individual diets to every woman who calls WNAS, has been studying the link between food and PMS for 17 years. Over that time thousands of women have used the WNAS and reversed their symptoms. She says: 'We've done national surveys and found 73.6% of women in the UK suffer from some degree of PMS. We estimate that 6.5 million have moderate to severe symptoms'.

'Women have come to us after feeling suicidal and some have even attempted suicide several times. They've also been violent or aggressive towards their partners and families'.

'Some doctors say the only solution to PMS is to have a hysterectomy, your ovaries removed or to take Prozac. But why should women have to take any of these drastic measures when we've found the vast majority of sufferers can be cured by taking supplements and eating the right foods'.

Maryon claims that up to 95% of sufferers would benefit from a change in their diet.


Nutrients that help tackle PMS symptoms

B-complex vitamins

Studies have shown that women with PMS often lack vitamin B6. A mild deficiency is also common in people suffering from anxiety, depression and other mental symptoms, as it plays a role in metabolising brain chemicals that influence mood and behaviour. It also influences the action of oestrogen in the body.

After fears that high doses of 500mg per day could cause nerve damage, the Government reduced the recommended daily maximum amount of B6 to 10mg. However, Maryon says the effective dose for PMS is at least 50mg. She advises her patients to take up to 300mg a day. Don't do this without consulting a doctor.

A deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamin) results in depression, anxiety, irritability, aggressiveness and loss of memory - all common PMS symptoms. Tea and coffee can destroy vitamin B1, so drinking less could help

A full three month programme costs £128 if done by telephone and a visit to the WNAS clinic in London costs £98, Hove or Lewes cost £80.

The Women's Nutritional Advisory Service is at PO Box 268, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1QN. For an information pack enclose an A5 envelope with four loose first-class stamps and be sure to mention PMS.