Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked to chronic irregular ovulation and menstruation; high levels of androgens, or male hormones; ovarian cysts; and obesity due to insulin resistance, explains the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Also referred to as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, PCOS is related to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Diet may play an important role in assisting to minimize some of these symptoms and conditions, such as insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes.
Glycemic Index and Load
PCOS requires a diet that does not cause spikes in blood glucose levels. One option is using the glycemic index and glycemic load of foods to keep your blood sugars relatively stable. Thagard Student Health Center explains the glycemic index (GI) of a food indicates how high your blood glucose is elevated by carbohydrates in that food. A low GI indicates less circulating blood sugar. Low is considered 55 or less. The glycemic load (GL) goes further and indicates the quantity of that particular carbohydrate that is present in the food. The GL offers a more exact picture to assist in regulating blood glucose. A GL of 10 is low.
Resistant Starch
Another approach that may assist in keeping your blood sugar levels from spiking and help with insulin resistance is a diet high in resistant starch. The Journal of Association of Official Analytical Chemists International in a study published on pubmed.gov suggests that resistant starch, a type of fiber, not only makes you feel full longer, decreases fat storage and reduces cholesterol, but it also may help with your insulin sensitivity, or insulin resistance, a hallmark of PCOS. Foods high in resistant starch are legumes and beans, whole grains, green bananas and cooked-and-chilled potatoes, pasta and rice.
Low Carbohydrate
Many diets exist that are based on keeping carbohydrate intake at a minimum. Keeping carbohydrate consumption low may help with your insulin resistance and spiking blood glucose. A study in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism saw a decrease in body weight, androgen levels and insulin levels in PCOS-diagnosed women who consumed a low carbohydrate diet.
References
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Thagard Student Health Center: Glycemic Index
- PubMed: Journal Association of Official Analytical Chemists International; Resistant starch: metabolic effects and potential health benefits.; Higgins J.A.; 2004
- PubMed:The effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on the polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study; John C Mavropoulos, et al.; Dec. 2005
