Nutritional and Lifestyle Support for PCOS 

by: Stephanie Allen, ASIN, DCC, DSS 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age across the globe. The CDC estimates that PCOS may be one of the most common causes of infertility, impacting 6-12% of reproductive-aged women.1 PCOS occurs when the ovaries produce excess androgens causing irregular ovulation and multiple ovarian cysts.  

Some of the symptoms of PCOS include menstrual irregularity or absent cycles, weight gain, fertility issues, fatigue, depression and abdominal pain. The overproduction of androgens associated with PCOS may also lead to acne, hirsutism and male-pattern baldness. Insulin resistance affects 50-70% of women with PCOS.2 And it is estimated that more than half of the women with PCOS will develop type 2 diabetes by the age of 40.1 Women with PCOS are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.3 PCOS can also increase the risk of endometrial cancer.4  

In managing PCOS, some of the main goals are to reduce the risks of developing certain cancers, reduce androgen levels to alleviate related symptoms, reduce body weight and long-term cardiovascular risk, manage blood sugar and risk of diabetes and to maintain healthy ovulation cycles. Although there is no official cure for PCOS, there are many ways to help manage PCOS including surgeries, pharmaceutical options, lifestyle changes and through nutrition.  

Although not all women with PCOS are overweight, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best natural tools to help combat the condition. Regular exercise can help to maintain a healthy weight and increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Regular exercise can decrease cardiovascular risk and help to alleviate symptoms of mood disorders associated with PCOS.5 A low-carbohydrate diet with a greater intake of fruits and vegetables, natural fibers, healthy fats and clean proteins is helpful in managing blood sugars, weight and overall cardiovascular health in women with PCOS.6,7,8 And replacing carbohydrates with clean proteins has been shown to improve glucose metabolism.8  

Inositol has also been shown to help improve endocrine and metabolic issues found in PCOS patients. Inositol is structurally similar to glucose and can influence hormones as well as insulin response. Myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol work together as secondary messengers, relaying signals to support optimal blood glucose balance.9,10 The inositol pathway also plays a critical role in ovulation by promoting regular cycles, reducing androgen levels and improving fertility.9,10,11 A 40:1 ratio of myo- to d-chiro-inositol has been shown to aid the body in restoring healthy follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone synthesis and balanced androgen.9,10,11, 12 

A combination of myo- and d-chiro-inositol in the optimum 40:1 ratio combined with chromium, cinnamon and fenugreek is now available in one product from Wellness Works. The new Wellness Works Women’s Health line features PCOS Support (WW #10421), which provides all ingredients, supported by studies, in an easy-to-use capsule and with a month supply per bottle.  

References 

1. CDC. (last reviewed 2022 30 December). PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes. Accessed 03.01.2023 at https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html
2. Sirmans, S.M., Pate, K.A. (2013). Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical epidemiology,6, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.2147/CLEP.S37559
   Accessed 03.01.2023 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3872139 
3. The Johns Hopkins University, Hospital and Health System. (2023, reviewed by Michos, E.D.) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: How Your Ovaries Can Affect Your Heart. Accessed 03.01.2023 at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-how-your-ovaries-can-affect-your-heart
4. Barry, J.A., Azizia, M.M., Hardiman, P.J. (2014). Risk of endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Human reproduction update, 20(5), 748–758. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmu012
   Accessed 03.01.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24688118/
5. Woodward, A., Klonizakis, M., Broom, D. (2020). Exercise and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1228, 123–136. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_8
   Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32342454/
6. Perelman, D., Coghlan, N., Lamendola, C., Carter, S., Abbasi, F., McLaughlin, T. (2017). Substituting poly- and mono-unsaturated fat for dietary carbohydrate reduces hyperinsulinemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol, 33(4), 324–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2016.1259407
   Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27910718/
7. Soliman,A. (2019). Dietary Fiber, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients, 11(5), 1155. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051155
   Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31126110/
8. Sørensen, L.B., Søe, M., Halkier, K.H., Stigsby, B., Astrup, A. (2012). Effects of increased dietary protein-to-carbohydrate ratios in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr. 95(1), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.020693
   Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22158730/
9. gov. (first posted 2009, last update posted 2017). Vitamin D for the Treatment of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00907153
10. Kalra, B., Kalra, S., Sharma, B. (2016). The Inositols and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Indian J Endocrinol Metab., 20(5), 720-724. Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27730087/
11. Benelli, E., Del Ghianda, S., Di Cosmo, C., Tonacchera, M. (2016). A Combined Therapy with Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Improves Endocrine Parameters and Insulin Resistance in PCOS Young Overweight Women. Int J Endocrinol, 2016, 3204083. Accessed03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27493664/
12. Unfer, V., Nestler, J.E., Kamenov, Z.A., Prapas, N., Facchinetti, F. (2016). Effects of Inositol(s) in Women with PCOS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Endocrinol, 2016, 1849162. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1849162
    Accessed 03.03.2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27843451/