The ideal diet for PCOS is a combination of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fluids, herbs, vitamins and minerals. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition which affects 5% to 10% women who have attained the age of childbearing. This is why patients should follow a diligent PCOS diet plan.
Elements of diet for PCOS
Fats: Your diet can be improved by selecting the correct amounts of oils and fats. Obese women can benefit from taking a maximum of 25% total calories, the healthy choices including fish oil and olive oil. You should also consume Omega 3 fatty acids which are one among the various essential fatty acids. The EFAs should be acquired from the diet as these are not produced by the body. The essential supplements include DHA or EPA capsules, cod liver oil and fatty fish like mackerel, salmon and sardine.
Protein: The diet for PCOS should comprise proteins. If you are on a diet which contains less of carbs, you need to go high on protein. If the protein is based on land animals, you should consume a diet that is high in saturated fats which are present in most of the animal proteins.
If the diet contains a high amount of saturated fat, it may be related with diabetes and heart conditions. Moreover, your hormonal patterns are also altered.
Carbohydrates: The type and quantity of carbohydrate that you take in control your hormonal balance. A diet with high amounts of refined carbohydrates influences your hormones, often leading to excessive insulin response.
This stimulates the production of androgen which leads to hirsutism or other symptoms of PCOS. Carbohydrates which comprise sugars and starches are present in grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Low glycemic carbohydrates leads to a negligible rise in your blood sugar and hence insulin problems are avoided.
Fluids: A diet for PCOS includes fluids as well and this affects your PCOS troubles and hirsutism. According to studies, it has been proved that the components in green tea are effective in reducing the consequences of male hormones like testosterone.
Calorie limitation: Your insulin levels can be successfully reduced by taking calories in moderation. It also increases the SHBG or sex hormone binding globulin which regulates testosterone. However, you should not forget that a low calorie diet is the starting point of eating problems and health failure. A diet which restricts calories should be implemented under the supervision of a skilled dietician.
Vitamins and minerals: Different minerals and vitamins are essential in balancing androgens and insulin and reducing testosterone after effects. Some essential components are magnesium, copper, zinc, Vitamin E and Vitamin B6. You may even require them if you are on multiple medications and if you lack a balanced diet.
Herbs: Herbal medicines inhibit the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that stimulates hirsutism. Some essential herbs comprise saw palmetto, Pygeum Africans and urtica dioca.
A diet for PCOS should be coupled with regular exercise for dealing with obesity, insulin resistance, hirsutism and other disorders that are related to PCOS.
