Health Supplements For Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a female hormonal disorder characterized by symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, obesity, excessive hair growth and in some cases infertility. If you have PCOS, a nutritious diet, regular exercise and a healthy weight are essential for managing your symptoms. Supplements can play a supporting role; however, some are toxic in high doses, so talk to your health-care practitioner before starting any new supplement.

Chromium

The mineral chromium is important for PCOS because it helps regulate insulin levels. Women with PCOS tend to have too much insulin; an excess of it appears to increase the production of androgen hormones. Androgen hormones are sometimes referred to as male hormones, and they are responsible for PCOS symptoms such as acne and excessive hair growth. Chromium may also be beneficial if you are overweight, because it helps to control cravings and reduce hunger.

B-Vitamins

The liver plays an important role in metabolizing and regulating hormones and detoxifying toxins. The B-vitamins support liver function. B-6 is particularly beneficial, because it helps regulate levels of the hormone estrogen in the body, may help with fertility issues and can help control weight and blood sugar levels. The B-vitamins work best when taken together. Take a B-100 complex, which is a supplement that contains 100 mg of the most important B-vitamins, daily. An additional 50 to 100 mg of B-6 daily is also recommended.

Magnesium

Magnesium in an essential mineral that aids the liver in the metabolism of hormones. Many women with PCOS are low in magnesium, and a deficiency of it has been linked to insulin resistance. Although most women with PCOS have too much circulating insulin, many are resistant to it, meaning that they have problems using it properly. Insulin is required to regulate blood sugar levels, so a resistance to it results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body compensates for the blood sugar elevation by making more insulin, and over time this can develop into diabetes. For therapeutic and preventive purposes, take 400 to 600 mg of magnesium daily, with food.

Vitamin D and Calcium

Vitamin D and calcium work synergistically, meaning that the absorption and effectiveness of each of them is enhanced when they are taken together. Calcium plays a role in normal follicular development as well as egg maturation in a woman's body, and may therefore be beneficial if you are trying to get pregnant. A study done on women with PCOS found that a vitamin D and calcium supplement also helped normalize the menstrual cycles of some women within just two months. Vitamin D may be additionally beneficial because it plays a role in regulating insulin.