Low Carbohydrate Diet & Pcos

A low-carbohydrate diet is often recommended for women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Often called PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, is a reproductive disorder affecting a woman's hormones and menstrual cycle. The disorder can cause infertility, weight gain, excess hair growth, oily skin and other symptoms. A diet low in carbohydrates may ease some of those symptoms.

Insulin, Diet and PCOS

To understand how a low-carbohydrate diet affects PCOS, it's important to understand how the hormone insulin works. Women with PCOS often have high insulin levels, leading to problems with weight gain and ovulatory disorders. High levels of insulin also affect how certain foods are processed, especially starches and sugars. When people consume too many carbohydrates and starches, their insulin levels may rise, which can wreak havoc for women with PCOS. To counteract this effect, some women with PCOS may benefit from following a low-carbohydrate diet.

Low-Carbohydrate Diet for Weight Loss

Another benefit of a low-carbohydrate diet for women with PCOS is its potential to foster weight loss. It is estimated that half of all women with PCOS are obese, carrying excess weight especially around the stomach area. A low-carbohydrate diet may help to reduce this excess weight and related health problems. One study asked participants to consume less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day to see if they could lose weight. On average, the participants experienced a 10 percent reduction in body weight in just one year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says a 10 percent reduction in body weight can help a woman with PCOS stabilize her hormone and insulin levels, restoring fertility and regulating ovulation and menstruation.

Low-Carbohydrate Diet and Fertility

How might a low carbohydrate diet affect women with PCOS? Researchers at Duke University Medical Center were curious to find out. Women were asked to consume less than 20 grams of carbohydrates daily for six months. The participants lost an average of 12 percent of their weight and noticed an improvement in other PCOS symptoms, including fasting insulin and other hormone levels. Two of the women in the study, who were thought to be infertile, became pregnant. This pilot study indicates that a low-carbohydrate diet shows promise in helping women with PCOS lose weight and improve their reproductive health.

Starting a Low-Carbohydrate Diet

One way women with PCOS can safely reduce their carbohydrate intake is to choose high-fiber carbohydrates over sweets and white-flour products. Carbohydrates that are high in fiber take longer to digest and do not cause spikes in blood sugar. Healthy options include whole grains, barley, whole-wheat pastas and breads, brown rice, and beans. To avoid constipation with a low-carbohydrate diet, the Mayo Clinic recommends that people eat foods containing fiber, such as whole grains, fruits and nonstarchy vegetables.

Warnings for Low-Carbohydrate Dieters

More research needs to be done to determine whether a low-carbohydrate diet is safe for women with PCOS, according to the Mayo Clinic. For instance, an article in the "American Family Physician" warned women consuming less than 60 grams of carbohydrates per day that their diets could lack certain important nutrients. Also, a low-carbohydrate diet sometimes causes individuals to overindulge in meats and animal proteins, increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease. To reduce this risk, those on low-carbohydrate diets should consume sources of vegetable protein, such as beans, tofu, and other soy products on a daily basis. A woman with PCOS may want to consult a nutritionist to ensure that she is consuming a healthy, low-carbohydrate diet.