Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that affects an estimated 5 to 10 percent of women. This disorder may appear first in adolescence, yet you may not experience symptoms -- including excess hair growth, obesity, irregular periods, infertility and mood swings -- until your mid-20s, states the University of Chicago Medical Center. UCMC finds that one in three women with PCOS is glucose-intolerant, and one in 10 will develop diabetes by age 40.
Low Carbohydrates
UCMC acknowledges that weight loss for women with PCOS may be challenging due to the insulin resistance associated with the condition. Many women seem to do well losing excess weight by lowering carbohydrates in the diet. You may want to choose a regimen from the many low-carb diets on the market such as the Atkins or South Beach. Cutting carbs may help with the insulin spiking after a meal high in carbohydrates, and may lessen the effect of insulin and blood glucose on weight gain. Lowering your insulin levels also reduces the amount of testosterone produced by your ovaries, a symptom of PCOS.
Low GI Diet
With insulin resistance, as seen with PCOS, insulin receptors on some cells are decreased, making it difficult for the insulin to complete its job of allowing glucose to enter the cells for use as energy. A dietary route to stabilize insulin levels is to eat foods low on the glycemic index, which rates foods for how quickly they release blood glucose. Another job of insulin is to stop fat cells from releasing their fat stores to be used as energy. With excess insulin in the bloodstream, the fat tends to accumulate around the midriff.
Mediterranean Diet
A study in the "European Journal of Endocrinology" concluded that women from southern Italy with PCOS suffered fewer symptoms than American women, who had higher body weights, larger waist circumferences and higher insulin resistance. The study concluded that these differences may be linked to the differences in diet. A Mediterranean diet includes high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads, beans, nuts, seeds and potatoes. Olive oil plays a primary role in the diet, and foods such as red meat, dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in moderation. Red wine is also part of the dietary consumption.
References
- University of Chicago Medical Center: Defining PCOS
- The New Glucose Guide to Living Well With PCOS; Jennie Brand-Miller, et al.; 2004
- European Journal of Endocrinology: Metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): lower prevalence in southern Italy than in the USA and the influence of criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS
- American Heart Association: Mediterranean Diet
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