Low GI diet improves polycystic ovary syndrome

Posted on Mon, 28 Jun 10

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition which affects up to 1 in 10 reproductive age women, is a major cause of infertility and results in symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, excess facial and body hair and acne. For the first time it has been shown that a low Glycaemic Index (GI) diet is an effective way to improve the condition.

Balance your hormones with your fork

Central to the development of PCOS is insulin resistance, an inability of the body to regulate blood sugar effectively resulting in high insulin which then disrupts hormone balance and results in PCOS and its symptoms. Insulin resistance can be improved with a low-GI dietary plan but until now the effects of a low-GI plan has not been studied in women with PCOS.

A group of women with PCOS were counselled on either a low-GI eating plan, or a conventional healthy diet. After 12 months the women following the low-GI plan experienced a 3-fold greater improvement in insulin resistance and greater improvement in menstrual regularity (95% compared with 63%, respectively).

Low is the way to go

The benefits of lowering the GI of your diet extend beyond improving PCOS with research showing it may improve cardiovascular health, weight loss, improve moods, stabilise your blood sugar, improve acne and reduced your appetite.

The GI refers to the effect of carbohydrate rich foods on your blood sugar. Foods with a high GI are generally low in fibre and other nutrients and include soft drink, potatoes, white rice, white bread and white pasta while foods with a low GI are high fibre and nutrient dense and include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

Reference:

Marsh KA, et al. Effect of a low glycemic index compared with a conventional healthy diet on polycystic ovary  syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 May 19. [Epub ahead of print]