In a recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, researchers performed a meta-analysis on the impact of ketogenic diets on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Study: Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Reproductive Hormones in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Image Credit: SewCreamStudio/Shutterstock.com
In particular, they investigated whether ketogenic diets could alter the levels of reproductive hormones [luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio, serological progesterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and free testosterone] and cause changes in body weight.
Backgrounds
PCOS is a chronic condition with a multifactorial pathophysiology that includes genetic and environmental components. It is the most prevalent endocrine condition in women, and early detection and treatment are critical for preventing endometrial cancer as well as cardiovascular and metabolic consequences.
With research demonstrating possible advantages in rectifying hormonal imbalances, the ketogenic diet has gained appeal as a lifestyle and nutritional alteration for PCOS patients. The data, however, is uneven and comes from tiny groups in varied settings. The ketogenic diet’s ability to improve hormonal imbalances in PCOS patients is still unknown.
About the study
In the present meta-analysis, researchers evaluated the impact of ketogenic diets on female reproductive health and body weight among PCOS women.
The Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases were searched for relevant clinical trials from the study’s inception until 20 January 2023. Single- and double-arm randomized and non-randomized interventional clinical trials published in English were included.
The trials included PCOS women following ketogenic diets for six or more weeks to assess changes in LH to FSH ratio, progesterone, SHBG, and testosterone levels, or anthropometric measures [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index, or weight]. In addition, the references to the included articles were reviewed.
The team excluded case-control-type studies, case reports, reviews, editorial letters, and comments. Two researchers independently…