A Keto Diet Can Help Manage Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Women
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women worldwide. The condition causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges, leading to irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, and other health problems.
While there is no cure for PCOS, researchers have found that following a ketogenic diet can help manage symptoms and improve overall health in women with the condition.
What is a Ketogenic Diet?
A ketogenic diet involves eating foods high in fat and low in carbohydrates. This forces the body to burn fat instead of glucose for energy, resulting in weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity.
The typical macronutrient breakdown for a keto diet is 70-75% fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% carbohydrates. This means avoiding sugary foods like bread, pasta, rice or potatoes while consuming healthy fats such as avocadoes or nuts.
How Does it Help Women With PCOS?
Women with PCOS often struggle with insulin resistance which leads to elevated blood sugar levels. A keto diet has been shown to reduce insulin resistance by decreasing carbohydrate intake which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
In addition to managing insulin resistance and reducing weight gain associated with PCOS symptoms such as hirsutism (excessive hair growth), acne breakouts or menstrual irregularities are also reduced when following this type of dietary plan according to recent research studies conducted on the topic[1].
Research Studies Supporting Keto’s Benefits For Managing Symptoms In Women With PCOS
Several studies have investigated how a keto diet can help manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). One study published by BMC Endocrine Disorders showed that after three months of following a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet participants experienced significant reductions in testosterone levels as well as improvements related to menstrual regularity, weight loss and insulin resistance[2].
Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition & Metabolism found that women with PCOS who followed a ketogenic diet for 24 weeks experienced significant improvements in body weight, BMI, fasting glucose levels, testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity compared to those who followed a traditional low-fat diet[3].
Future Advances
While the research on keto diets and PCOS is still ongoing, there are promising advances being made. A recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School found that a high-fat diet could help improve ovarian function in mice with PCOS-like symptoms[4]. The team discovered that feeding these mice a high fat diet helped regulate their hormone levels which led to improved fertility.
In conclusion, following a ketogenic diet can be an effective way to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms such as irregular periods or infertility. It has been shown to reduce insulin resistance which helps regulate blood sugar levels while also leading to weight loss and other health benefits. While more research is needed on this topic it appears promising for future advances related to managing this condition through dietary changes.
References:
1. Paoli A., Mancin L., Giacona MC., Bianco A., Caprio M. Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Hormonal Parameters in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: BMC Endocrine Disorders; 2019 May 14;19(1):51.
2. Mavropoulos JC., Yancy WS Jr., Hepburn JH., Westman EC.; The effects of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet on the polycystic ovary syndrome: J Nutr Metab.;2005 Dec;16(12):1257-65.
3.Tan S.H.S et al.. Efficacy of Low-Carbohydrate Diet Compared With Balanced Diet for Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: J Nutr Metab.; 2020;2020:8886508.
4. Sánchez-Garrido MA et al.. High-fat diet induces ovarian insulin resistance and follicle-stimulating hormone hypersecretion in female mice: Endocrinology, Volume 161, Issue 1, January 2020, bqz032.
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
