Is PCOS Taking Over Your Life? Can Nutrition Help?

​Polycystic Ovary syndrome (PCOS) effects 5-10% of women of reproductive age, and impacts those with the condition in a number of different ways. In fact 25% of people with PCOS may not show any symptoms.
 
PCOS is an endocrine disorder, and diagnosis includes having at least two of the following: irregular periods, androgen excess (high levels of male sex hormones), and cysts on the ovaries.  Other conditions that may cause these symptoms should also be ruled out first.

Women with PCOS may experience insulin resistance, weight gain/difficulty losing weight, increased facial or body hair, acne, metabolic syndrome (leading to an increased risk of CVD and type 2 diabetes), infertility, higher risk of gestational diabetes, and increased risk of miscarriage.
 
So how does nutrition come into it?
Some of the features are obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (high lipid levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels); therefore what we eat can play a significant role in the health for PCOS women. The main goals of nutrition are usually to improve insulin resistance and reduce androgen excess.
 
Weight Loss
A 5-10% weight reduction can improve the androgen excess symptoms and improves fertility chances. How you go about this weight loss could come in many different ways, but making sustainable changes and keeping a positive relationship with food are important.
 
Carbohydrates
Both the type and amount of carbohydrate are important in managing insulin resistance. We are clear on what the type of carbohydrate should be – less refined carbohydrate, lower GI and lower glycemic load. How much, is still a debatable topic. Cutting all carbohydrates out is most likely a little drastic, and for many not sustainable long term; but given the westernised diet, I would say many do need to make a change to their carbohydrate intake.
 
Think moderate portions of whole-grains such as oats, quinoa, freekah, barley, wheat bran, spelt etc. While minimising your intake of biscuits, cakes, crackers, lollies, white bread, and added sugar in food and drinks.
 
Vegetables
EAT MORE! You cannot have too much of the non-starchy varieties.
One in three New Zealanders do not get in the minimum 3 serves a day. Vegies are high in important vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. They are useful for filling up without providing an excess of calories in those trying to lose weight.
 
Omega-3
There has been some research suggesting that omega-3 may help with lowering testosterone, help with insulin resistance, and lower triglyceride levels. More research is needed to make this a firm recommendation particularly around supplementation levels, but in the meantime consuming regular oily fish in place of meat to increase your intake of omega-3 is good for you, even outside of having PCOS. Other good sources of omega-3 are walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds.
 
Exercise
Exercise is not only good for your mental health, but helps improve insulin resistance and will be important in helping with weight loss.

We should be aiming for a minimum of 150mins of exercise a week with a mixture of cardiovascular and resistance training. This doesn’t have to be in a gym, there are plenty of home-based exercises you can do.
 
 
Finally there is also some interesting research and approaches going on in the areas of magnesium, chromium, vitamin D, resveratrol, isoflavanoids and inositol. Watch this space, and I think I’ll write about some of these individually, but perhaps some of you with PCOS may need extra support in these areas.
 
How a PCOS friendly day might look:
 
Breakfast
Porridge made with oats and milk. Topped with some chopped walnuts and berries
 
Snack
Chopped up carrots, cucumber and celery with hummus
 
Lunch
Tinned salmon tipped onto leftover roast veggies, spinach and quinoa. Topped with some feta, and chopped almonds, and a lemon juice or olive oil vinaigrette dressing.
 
Snack
Piece of fruit and yoghurt
 
Dinner
Chicken, chickpea and vegetable curry on brown rice


If you suffer from PCOS and want some support and advice on a way forward in managing your nutrition in this condition then get in contact with me to talk.