Our Top 5 Supplements for PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition experienced by women that affects how the body responds to and uses glucose and is associated with high levels of the androgen hormones.

Common symptoms of PCOS include insulin resistance, difficulty losing weight, elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, mood and sleep disturbances.

Fortunately, most if not all of these issues can be addressed through diet and supplementation. Read on to discover why we love prescribing these 5 supplements for PCOS.

Berberine

Berberine is a substance found in plants, and boasts a multitude of benefits for managing PCOS symptoms. Berberine helps to reduce insulin resistance, blood glucose levels, cholesterol and blood pressure, and has been linked with improvements in ovulation for women with PCOS.

Berberine works by activating an enzyme in the body that is involved with regulating metabolism. It also has been shown to increase the number of good bacteria found in the gut microbiome, and to help with weight loss by inhibiting the growth of fat cells.

Inositol

Inositols are a type of sugar that are involved in insulin signalling and regulation of the body’s production of eggs. Inositol supplementation is linked to improved insulin sensitivity, restoration of ovulation, weight loss and reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure.

Inositols are also found in fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds and nuts, so make sure to include a variety of these in your diet.

Vitamin D

Women with PCOS are more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency, so supplementation in this instance is important. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to impacts on mood, mental health, fertility, length of menstrual cycle, and how the body uses glucose.
Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to higher levels of androgens, which are the hormones primarily responsible for PCOS symptoms.

Fish Oil

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties helpful for reducing cholesterol and blood triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to improve both mood and cardiovascular health, both of which are key targets for PCOS treatment.

Magnesium

Women with PCOS also tend to experience magnesium deficiency, making supplementation a suitable treatment to boost the natural magnesium content of a balanced diet. Magnesium deficiency is associated with insulin resistance and risk of hypertension. 

Supplementation with magnesium has shown to improve insulin sensitivity, BMI and symptoms of depression. 

The take home

Whilst supplementation is a great option for restoring nutrient deficiencies and targeting specific symptoms related to PCOS, they are no replacement for a nutritious, balanced diet.

Another thing to remember is that PCOS manifests differently in everyone, so an individualised approach will be the best bet for managing your symptoms. A dietitian is able to provide tailored advice regarding diet and supplementation to best suit you and your lifestyle.

NSS team x

References:

E. Gunalan et al 2018, “The effect of nutrient supplementation in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome-associated metabolic dysfunctions: A critical review”, Journal of the Turkish-German Gynecological Association pg 220-32

R. Schoeman, “Nutrition for Women with PCOS”, Bloom Dietetics