Resorting to the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for 45 days improved women's hormonal imbalances usually seen in PCOS, as per the study.
Published Sep 08, 2023 | 11:54 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2023 | 11:54 PM
The ketogenic diet involves consuming a very low amount of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat to help your body burn fat for energy. (Creative Commons)
New research found that a short-term ketogenic diet can significantly enhance weight loss in women having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Resorting to the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for 45 days improved women’s hormonal imbalances usually seen in PCOS, the meta-analytical study by the Malaysian Ministry of Health found.
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women, characterised by irregular periods, anovulation, high levels of male sex hormones, such as testosterone, and multiple cysts in the ovaries. Other symptoms may include excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain.
Keto diet intervention in women with PCOS markedly improved their reproductive hormone levels, along with lowering their follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio, which meant that they had a better chance of ovulating, thereby enhancing fertility, the study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society said.
The researchers also saw reduced testosterone levels in these women after following the keto diet.
The study was a meta-analysis of clinical trials in women with PCOS on the keto diet and examined the diet’s effects on their reproductive hormones and weight change. The overall analysis included 170 participants.
Following a ketogenic diet is one of the means through which the body can be made to enter the metabolic state of ketosis, in which fat is burned for energy instead of carbohydrates.
The diet also normalised menstrual cycles and optimised cholesterol levels in these women having PCOS, which is known to heighten the risk of developing diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic health problems.
“We found an association between the ketogenic diet and an improvement in reproductive hormone levels, which influence fertility, in women with PCOS,” said the study’s corresponding author Karniza Khalid, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
“These findings have important clinical implications, especially for endocrinologists, gynaecologists, and dietitians who, in addition to medical treatment, should carefully plan and customise individual diet recommendations for women with PCOS,” added Khalid.
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