A diet that is low in carbohydrates, rich in plant compounds (phytocompounds), and balanced with anti-inflammatory fats and well-sourced proteins can be a fantastic way to reduce the primary mechanisms that drive PCOS symptoms. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disorder involving infrequent, irregular, or prolonged menstrual periods and often excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries develop numerous small collections of fluid—called follicles—and may fail to regularly release eggs. There is no definitive diagnosis for PCOS. In fact, some women will be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Some health care professionals will do an ultrasound to confirm the presence of ovarian cysts and assess follicle health; however, even without the cysts themselves, women can be diagnosed due to: Here’s how nutritional ketosis can help with four of the top causes of PCOS: Insulin resistance occurs from the overproduction of insulin, which can be in response to high carb intake or increased body fat storage. The most direct way to reduce insulin resistance is to reduce the insulin demand via reduction of carbohydrate intake. The ketogenic diet is an effective way to lower and regulate blood sugar levels. Low carbohydrate diets, like the keto diet, yield ketone production. These ketones serve as an alternative energy source, allowing blood sugar levels to come to a stable and consistent level2. This is why metformin, an oral hypoglycemic drug, is often used to manage and bring down glucose levels, which then, in turn, supports healthy hormone response, but you can achieve glucose regulation with the dietary intervention of ketosis. But when the body is producing ketones as a fuel source, inflammatory markers tend to go down3. Ketones decrease oxidative stress, increase antioxidant levels, and scavenge free radicals. These three mechanisms are argument enough to employ a keto diet to reduce inflammation in the body. You can even enhance the anti-inflammatory effects if you ensure your keto diet has an abundance of phytocompounds, botanicals, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, when carbs are reduced in the diet, SHBG better manages circulating hormones and they achieve a hormetic stress mellowing response via leptin and GABA expression. Leptin is a satiety hormone that is optimized in a ketogenic diet4 both due to the mobilization of body fat and the consumption of fat as the primary fuel source. This hormone provides a safety signal to the body’s regulatory system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA-axis). The body also has leptin receptors on the thyroid and ovaries. Use of a ketogenic diet can enhance pituitary hormone production, including improved FSH and LH levels, by leptin affecting the hypothalamus to stimulate the regulatory reproductive hormones. Myo-inositol is a sugar alcohol by structure that belongs to the B-vitamin family and has hormonal and anxiolytic effects. Myo-inositol has been researched with many intervention studies6 demonstrating recovery of reproductive abnormalities, reduced androgen levels, and improved insulin levels as well as enhanced egg maturation and development. Vitamin D is not just a fat-soluble nutrient but truly a pro-hormone that affects blood calcium, immune health, hormone levels, and insulin function. Specific to PCOS and reproductive health7, Vitamin D plays a role in FSH sensitivity, progesterone production, and ovarian follicular development. As vitamin D levels are optimized insulin sensitivity is often enhanced along with ovarian and sexual hormone health. Get your vitamin D tested and ensure levels are in the optimal range, not just the normal range, if looking to manage PCOS Omega-3 fatty acids are a known anti-inflammatory fat found rich in sources of wild-caught fish and in moderate levels in pasture-raised meats, eggs, flaxseed, algae, and leafy greens. Omega-3s can support healthy cellular membrane function5 and signaling while reducing inflammatory chemicals circulating in the body. Her Food-As-Medicine philosophy is supported by up-to-date scientific research for a functional integrative approach to healing the body. Ali is a certified diabetes educator (CDE) and renowned expert in the ketogenic diet with over a decade of clinical results using a unique whole foods approach tailored to support thyroid, adrenal and hormonal balance. Ali’s message has influenced millions through the medical community and media with television, print, and her award winning podcast, Naturally Nourished. Ali’s expertise can be accessed through her website: www.alimillerRD.com offering her blog, podcast, virtual learning, and access to her practice and supplement line Naturally Nourished.
