Most studies investigating the benefits of omega 3 supplementation gave participants high-strength formulas. Now, research suggests omega-3 supplementation may also support many areas of PCOS.Ī growing body of evidence proposes omega-3 supplementation may improve waist circumference (often around the middle, where women with PCOS tend to carry weight), increased frequency of menstrual cycles and periods, lower testosterone levels, overall decrease in cholesterol, and improved lipid profile.v In other words, supplementing with omega 3 could improve fertility, hair growth, acne, and cardiovascular health for women with PCOS. That omega-3 fatty acids are essential for overall health and wellbeing isn’t anything new. Look for a formula that packs between 400 and 1,000iu. To help manage your PCOS symptoms, consider supplementing with a high-strength vitamin D3 (the highly-absorbable form of the nutrient). One study reported low levels of vitamin D were an independent predictor of depression in women with PCOS iv.įurthermore, vitamin D also helps with the proper absorption and utilisation of calcium, which is needed for a host of important physiological functions, like muscle contractions, bone health and blood clotting. Poor emotional health is one of the less discussed symptoms of PCOS but remains a hugely important issue.

Crucially, low levels of this vitamin may exacerbate PCOS symptoms.Įmpirical evidence suggests poor vitamin D reserves are linked to insulin resistance, hirsutism, weight gain, ovulatory and menstrual irregularities, and lower pregnancy success iii.īeyond this, vitamin D has demonstrated promise in supporting the reduction of low mood and depression, which are often a by-product of PCOS. Vitamin D is critically important for many bodily functions – immunity, bone health, cognition, to name a few. For convenience, choose powdered myo-inositol and mix it with water or juice. The recommended dose of myo-inositol for women with PCOS is 2 grams in the morning and 2 grams in the evening. This group also lost more weight and exhibited improved levels of HDL (‘good’) cholesterol. Those who supplemented with myo-inositol experienced more frequent ovulation compare to the placebo group. A group of women with PCOS were given 100g of myo-inositol twice daily for two weeks, while the placebo group were given a dummy pill ii. In one such investigation, researchers found myo-inositol improved the function of the ovaries. Numerous trials have explored the use of myo-inositol for PCOS symptoms. Some of its purported benefits include restoring normal ovulatory activity, increasing the rate of fertilisation, lowering total testosterone, decreasing insulin resistance, improving cholesterol profiles, and supporting mood – areas that often distinguish PCOS i. The research on myo-inositol is far-reaching and hugely compelling.

A water-soluble vitamin with a similar structure to glucose, this nutrient plays an essential role in the body’s communication with cells. It will highlight some of the best supplements to add to your PCOS diet, substantiating all claims with the latest scientific evidence.Īs far as PCOS supplements go, myo-inositol is, undoubtedly, one of the most helpful. And so, this piece aims to demystify this often-convoluted and thorny subject. Nonetheless, with the wealth of contrasting and conflicting information available, it’s hard to know whom to trust or discern what supplements to choose. But, increasingly, empirical data suggests supplementation deserves a rightful place in a woman’s PCOS arsenal. When a woman is first diagnosed with PCOS, doctors are quick to prescribe medication to balance hormones and manage insulin resistance. This underlying hormonal imbalance leads to many of the challenging symptoms that have come to characterise PCOS, such as weight gain, acne, hirsutism, hair thinning, insulin resistance, and period irregularities. Essentially, this means something has gone awry with the hormones in a woman’s body.

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