Polycystic ovary disease, also called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that affects between 5 to 10 percent of all women, Robert Barbieri, M.D. explains on UpToDate. The symptoms of PCOD vary, but include insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, weight gain, abnormally high levels of male hormones and irregular menstrual cycles, along with abnormal male-pattern hair growth. Certain vitamins may help with the symptoms of PCOD.
B Vitamins
Birth control pills and stress can deplete B-complex vitamin stores, according to Marcella Sweet of Women to Women. The B-complex of vitamins includes eight vitamins, some of which play a greater part in PCOD than others. Vitamin B-2, B-3, B-5 and B-6 help control weight in different ways; B-2 converts nutrients into energy, while B-3 helps keep blood sugars in balance and B-5 helps control fat metabolism, according to author Marilyn Glenville, Ph.D. Vitamin B-6 helps maintain normal thyroid production, which help control metabolism, while B-6, B-9 and B-12 help with the normal metabolism of homocysteine,. High levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of complications from type 2 diabetes. Normal levels of B-9 or folate also help prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy. Vitamin B-12 also helps prevent nerve damage in women who already have diabetes.
Vitamin D
Insulin resistance, a common symptom of PCOS occurs when cells no longer respond to signals from insulin that tells them to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Vitamin D deficiency may play a part in the development of insulin resistance and may also cause a decrease in beta cell pancreatic function. Beta cells produce insulin in the pancreas. Women with PCOD may need as much as 1,500 mg of D3, a form of vitamin D, every day, Ohio State University suggests. Ask your doctor how much vitamin D he recommends for you.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant, a vitamin that attacks free radicals, unpaired electrons that cause oxidative stress that causes damage to DNA in cells. Diabetes may occur more frequently with vitamin E deficiency, Sweet reports. Ask your medical practitioner before taking vitamin E supplements, since some studies have shown that excess vitamin E supplementation can be harmful.
Micronutrients
Some micronutrients don't fall into the vitamin class but may still helps with PCOD, including chromium, which helps form glucose tolerance factor, a substance that increases insulin efficiency. Chromium may also reduce cravings and hunger and may also decrease insulin resistance and may help control fat and cholesterol levels. Magnesium deficiency occurs more commonly in people with insulin resistance and diabetes; taking magnesium supplements may decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
