Hormones are essential to the proper functioning of the human body, and imbalances can lead to serious health problems. In the case of polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, androgen hormones, or male hormones, are in excess, causing irregular periods and sometimes even the absence of a menstrual cycle, acne, depression, weight gain, excessive growth of facial and body hair, cysts on the ovaries and infertility. Insulin resistance appears to be a common feature in women with PCOS, a problem that may be worsened by low vitamin D levels.
Low Vitamin D Levels
Vitamin D levels can be estimated with a simple blood analysis measuring your levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Levels below 30 ng/ml are considered low and indicate a vitamin D deficiency. A study published in 2009 in the "European Journal of Endocrinology" revealed that the majority of women with PCOS, which corresponded to 72.8 percent of a total of 206 participants, had low vitamin D levels. Women with PCOS presenting with insulin resistance were even more likely to have lower levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D and Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells lose their sensitivity to insulin and do not respond normally to its action, which results in the production of larger quantities of insulin by the pancreas with the hope of achieving the desired effect. Insulin resistance in women with PCOS is also associated with chronically elevated insulin levels. More and more studies with respect to the role of vitamin D indicate that this vitamin acts like a hormone and contributes to a multitude of pathways in the body, one of them being insulin sensitivity. According to a study published in a 2009 issue of "European Journal of Endocrinology," low levels of vitamin D are associated with insulin resistance and other common features of the metabolic syndrome.
Vitamin D Supplementation and PCOS
A short-term study published in the April 2010 issue of "Journal of Endocrinological Investigation" looked at the effect of vitamin D supplementation in women with PCOS. Increasing the circulating vitamin D levels in women with PCOS was associated with improved insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin resistance. The findings of this study cannot be extrapolated because of its small size and short duration, but vitamin D appears to offer promising benefits to women with PCOS and insulin resistance.
Optimizing Your Vitamin D Levels
If you have PCOS, it may be a good idea to get your 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels to determine your vitamin D status. Levels below 30 ng/ml are low, and levels between 36 and 40 ng/ml are considered optimal for bone health. More studies are required to establish optimal vitamin D levels to promote general health in addition to bone health, but these levels constitute a good starting point. The current vitamin D recommendation is low, at 600 IU for adults. Talk to your doctor to establish the amount of vitamin D supplementation that is right for you. Monitor your vitamin D status again after a few months to see if the levels have improved, and track your PCOS symptoms to see whether they improve while boosting your vitamin D intake.
References
- PCOSupport: What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
- OBGYN.net: PCOS and Diet
- "European Journal of Endocrinology"; Association of Hypovitaminosis D With Metabolic Disturbances in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; E. Wehr, et al.; 2009
- "Journal of Endocrinological Investigation"; The Effect of Vitamin D Replacement Therapy on Insulin Resistance and Androgen Levels in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Selimoglu H., et al.; April 2010
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Estimation of Optimal Serum Concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D for Multiple Health Outcomes; Heike A Bischoff-Ferrari, et al.; 2006
Member Comments