Can the Ketogenic Diet Help with PCOS?
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with a prevalence of 6-15%. Women with PCOS often experience menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism (e.g., hirsutism), and infertility.
Common metabolic issues include insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which are exacerbated by high androgen levels. Insulin resistance contributes to hyperandrogenism by affecting ovarian function.
PCOS treatment is personalized, depending on clinical needs. Hormonal contraceptives and antiandrogens are used for menstrual irregularities, acne, and hirsutism. Metformin is commonly used but does not help with weight loss, so diet and exercise are prioritized.
Weight loss improves insulin resistance and hormonal balance in PCOS patients. Although there’s limited evidence, ketogenic diets (KD) may offer benefits by reducing insulin levels, promoting fat oxidation, and improving metabolic markers, making them a promising alternative.
In a 12-week study, 14 overweight women with PCOS followed a ketogenic Mediterranean diet (KEMEPHY), resulting in significant improvements in body weight, fat mass, insulin resistance, cholesterol, testosterone, and other hormonal levels.
Although the benefits of KD for PCOS are promising, further studies with control groups are needed to confirm these findings.
The results of this study suggest that the ketogenic diet may serve as a potential therapeutic aid for women with PCOS, improving insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and hormonal abnormalities.
However, it is important to note that the benefits observed could be attributed to weight loss rather than the ketogenic diet per se.
Since weight loss is known to improve metabolic and hormonal profiles in PCOS, further controlled studies are needed to determine whether the ketogenic diet offers additional benefits over other dietary approaches.
Study Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32103756/
Common metabolic issues include insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which are exacerbated by high androgen levels. Insulin resistance contributes to hyperandrogenism by affecting ovarian function.
PCOS treatment is personalized, depending on clinical needs. Hormonal contraceptives and antiandrogens are used for menstrual irregularities, acne, and hirsutism. Metformin is commonly used but does not help with weight loss, so diet and exercise are prioritized.
Weight loss improves insulin resistance and hormonal balance in PCOS patients. Although there’s limited evidence, ketogenic diets (KD) may offer benefits by reducing insulin levels, promoting fat oxidation, and improving metabolic markers, making them a promising alternative.
In a 12-week study, 14 overweight women with PCOS followed a ketogenic Mediterranean diet (KEMEPHY), resulting in significant improvements in body weight, fat mass, insulin resistance, cholesterol, testosterone, and other hormonal levels.
Although the benefits of KD for PCOS are promising, further studies with control groups are needed to confirm these findings.
The results of this study suggest that the ketogenic diet may serve as a potential therapeutic aid for women with PCOS, improving insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and hormonal abnormalities.
However, it is important to note that the benefits observed could be attributed to weight loss rather than the ketogenic diet per se.
Since weight loss is known to improve metabolic and hormonal profiles in PCOS, further controlled studies are needed to determine whether the ketogenic diet offers additional benefits over other dietary approaches.
Study Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32103756/