Losing Weight With PCOS – Low Carb Might Support Insulin Effect
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that impacts 5% to 10% of women during their reproductive years. It notably affects female fertility. Women diagnosed with PCOS typically produce insufficient eggs, resulting in challenges when trying to conceive. Most instances of PCOS are not genetic but are characterized by hormonal disturbances. An overproduction of androgens, often referred to as "male" hormones, leads to a decrease in egg creation. Both genders have these hormones, but they are present in much higher levels in men. Due to this hormonal imbalance, the normal growth of ovarian cysts is disrupted. Consequently, women with PCOS often have numerous small cysts on their ovaries that fail to mature enough to release eggs. Typically, these cysts would vanish once egg production is completed. Elevated androgen levels can also heighten the risk of weight gain, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and increase the likelihood of excessive facial hair growth.
Interestingly, diets reduced in carbohydrates like the zone diet may be beneficial for overweight women suffering from PCOS. A recent investigation included 11 overweight, non-diabetic women with an average age of 33. Researchers evaluated a 'standard' diet composed of 56% carbohydrates and 16% protein alongside a lower carbohydrate regimen containing 43% carbohydrates and 15% protein. The low-carb diet provided 14% more fat than the standard one, exceeding the limits set by the Zone diet. Nearly equal proportions of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids made up the fat content in the low-carb diet. Although the monounsaturated fatty acids were slightly more abundant by 3% in the standard diet, the other two categories of fat were almost evenly split. A third comparison was made with a diet rich in both carbohydrates and monounsaturated fatty acids. Each participant adhered to the diets for a duration of 16 days, followed by a three-week break before trying all three again. Since insulin levels are known to influence the production of androgen hormones, the researchers aimed to determine if a low carb diet could decrease insulin levels in the body, believing this reduction would positively impact PCOS symptoms.
Although the lower carbohydrate diet did not significantly alter hormone levels in circulation, it notably improved the women’s cholesterol, fasting insulin levels, free fatty acid levels, and insulin response. The enhanced insulin response suggests a potential benefit of a low carb diet for those with PCOS. Additionally, the 16-day duration of the dietary experiment might explain why their circulating insulin levels did not exhibit more drastic changes.
The authors of the research suggest that "a decrease in insulin is likely to lead to a better endocrine balance" since high insulin levels are believed to play a role in the hormonal issues related to PCOS. They further explain that these enhancements imply that a low carbohydrate diet with fewer calories could be advantageous for overweight women dealing with PCOS.
Nevertheless, not every low carb diet is the same. For some individuals, the Atkins diet has been linked to a heightened risk of heart complications and has even contributed to the hospitalization of others.
One 40-year-old woman ended up in the hospital with extremely high acid levels in her bloodstream after adhering closely to the Atkins diet for roughly one month. When the body is deprived of certain nutrients beyond a given threshold, it triggers the release of acids into the blood, a process referred to as ketosis. This condition is seen as a sign of the Atkins diet's "effectiveness". Carbohydrates are, obviously, the nutrient involved. The brain solely relies on carbohydrates for its energy needs. However, when the intake of carbohydrates falls below a critical level, the body begins to use fat and protein as energy sources, which is not the most biologically effective method for the body to generate energy. Consequently, many acidic byproducts, known as ketones, are produced and released into the bloodstream for elimination from the body.
In this particular woman's case, these metabolic byproducts accumulated in her bloodstream because they were not expelled quickly enough. She experienced vomiting four to six times daily. This accumulation of acids in the blood posed a serious threat to her health, leading to her admission to the intensive care unit.
In reaction to this incident, the Atkins Foundation claimed that the woman must have experienced clinical or atypical metabolic issues. However, considering that this obese woman falls within the demographic targeted by the Atkins diet, there are legitimate concerns to be addressed. Individuals with obesity have a heightened risk of both general health and metabolic complications. If an obese person did not exhibit some kind of metabolic disorder, they would not be classified as obese. This presents a critical concern until these potential risks are more thoroughly understood, although it is conceivable that this woman's situation involved unique circumstances. It is indeed ironic that a diet could be deemed unsuitable for those with metabolic issues, especially when it is marketed as a lifestyle choice recommended for long-term adherence.
You must be logged in to post a comment.