Dietary composition in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review to inform evidence-based guidelines.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of different dietary compositions, including a high-protein diet, on anthropometric, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes in women with PCOS.
Results Summary
The study found that a high-protein diet improved depression and self-esteem in women with PCOS, though it did not specifically highlight other metabolic or reproductive benefits compared to other diets.
Population
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) not taking anti-obesity medications.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
monounsaturated fat-enriched diet | increase | weight loss | women with PCOS | - | greater weight loss | #1 |
low-glycemic index diet | increase | menstrual regularity | women with PCOS | - | improved menstrual regularity | #2 |
high-carbohydrate diet | increase | free androgen index | women with PCOS | - | increased free androgen index | #3 |
low-carbohydrate diet | decrease | insulin resistance | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in insulin resistance | #4 |
low-glycemic index diet | decrease | insulin resistance | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in insulin resistance | #5 |
low-carbohydrate diet | decrease | fibrinogen | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in fibrinogen | #6 |
low-glycemic index diet | decrease | fibrinogen | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in fibrinogen | #7 |
low-carbohydrate diet | decrease | total cholesterol | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in total cholesterol | #8 |
low-glycemic index diet | decrease | total cholesterol | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in total cholesterol | #9 |
low-carbohydrate diet | decrease | high-density lipoprotein cholesterol | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol | #10 |
low-glycemic index diet | decrease | high-density lipoprotein cholesterol | women with PCOS | - | greater reductions in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol | #11 |
low-glycemic index diet | increase | quality of life | women with PCOS | - | improved quality of life | #12 |
high-protein diet | decrease | depression | women with PCOS | - | improved depression | #13 |
high-protein diet | increase | self-esteem | women with PCOS | - | improved self-esteem | #14 |
weight loss | increase | presentation of PCOS | overweight women with PCOS | - | improved the presentation of PCOS | #15 |
While lifestyle management is recommended as first-line treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the optimal dietary composition is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different diet compositions on anthropometric, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes in PCOS. A literature search was conducted (Australasian Medical Index, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycInfo, and EBM reviews; most recent search was performed January 19, 2012). Inclusion criteria were women with PCOS not taking anti-obesity medications and all weight-loss or maintenance diets comparing different dietary compositions. Studies were assessed for risk of bias. A total of 4,154 articles were retrieved and six articles from five studies met the a priori selection criteria, with 137 women included. A meta-analysis was not performed due to clinical heterogeneity for factors including participants, dietary intervention composition, duration, and outcomes. There were subtle differences between diets, with greater weight loss for a monounsaturated fat-enriched diet; improved menstrual regularity for a low-glycemic index diet; increased free androgen index for a high-carbohydrate diet; greater reductions in insulin resistance, fibrinogen, total, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol for a low-carbohydrate or low-glycemic index diet; improved quality of life for a low-glycemic index diet; and improved depression and self-esteem for a high-protein diet. Weight loss improved the presentation of PCOS regardless of dietary composition in the majority of studies. Weight loss should be targeted in all overweight women with PCOS through reducing caloric intake in the setting of adequate nutritional intake and healthy food choices irrespective of diet composition.