Many of us have probably heard about PCOS in passing, but what is it and how can keto help you manage your symptoms if you have PCOS?
Simply put, PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can cause chronic ovarian cysts, metabolism problems, acne, and irregular periods. PCOS affects approximately 14 million women in the U.S. alone and 200 million worldwide. As if that isn’t enough, if a woman suffers from PCOS, she is more likely to be overweight, or have type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Luckily PCOS is a manageable disease, and maintaining a healthy diet is key to making your life with PCOS easier. It should come as no surprise that given the connection with excess weight, high insulin levels, and other metabolic problems, a low-carb diet is potentially ideal for managing PCOS and its symptoms.
While the research on the effects of the Keto diet on PCOS is limited, it is promising; a 2005 study in a small group of women diagnosed with PCOS found that limiting carbohydrate intake to 20 grams or less per day for 24 weeks resulted in:
- 12% reduction in body mass
- 22% reduction in testosterone
- 36% reduction in LH/FSH ratio
- 54% reduction in fasting insulin levels
Another bonus finding: Two of those women became pregnant during the study despite previous failed fertility treatments!
Anxiety and depression are both symptoms of PCOS and many women use prescription drugs to combat these issues. Keto may be used as an alternative to reduce or eliminate these medications altogether. In one study, PCOS women were split into two groups: one group followed a low-carb/high-protein diet while the other ate the traditional low-protein/high-carb diet. After 16 weeks, the low carb women showed significant increases in their self-esteem and decreases in their depression.
So to recap: A ketogenic diet can help eliminate blood sugar highs and lows, balance your hormones and of course, help you lose weight – all things that will benefit your physical and mental health as you work to manage your PCOS.
We know how hard it can be to go keto, especially if you have a sweet tooth, which is why we created Sweet Logic! Our keto-friendly mug cakes are perfect for those of us who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while indulging in sweet treats.
The study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1334192/
