Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Reproductive Hormones in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Journal of the Endocrine Society, Volume 7, Issue 10, October 2023, bvad112, https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvad112

Published: 07 September 2023

Abstract

Context
Ketogenic diet has recently made a comeback as a part of lifestyle and dietary modifications in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite studies suggesting its beneficial effects in reversing hormonal imbalance in women with PCOS, evidence has been patchy and derived from small populations under varying conditions.

Objective
To pool evidence from clinical trials to study the effects of ketogenic diet on reproductive hormones (LH/FSH ratio, free testosterone, serum progesterone) and observe evidence of weight change.

Methods
PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science core collection were searched for clinical trials evaluating the effects of ketogenic diet in established PCOS women consistent with the Rotterdam classification. Single- or double-arm studies that included an outcome of interest were included. Two investigators worked independently to screen potential articles and a designated investigator extracted data on study characteristics and evaluated the outcomes. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The quality of selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results
Following ≥45 days of intervention with ketogenic diet among women with PCOS, significant improvement was observed in reproductive hormone levels, with reduced LH/FSH ratio (d −0.851; 95% CI −1.015, −0.686; P < .001), reduced serum free testosterone (d −0.223; 95% CI −0.328, −0.119; P < .001), and an increased in serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (d 9.086; 95% CI 3.379, 14.792; P = .002). Significant weight loss was unanimously observed in all included studies (d −11.56; 95% CI −14.97, −8.15; P < .001).

Conclusion
Short-term ketogenic diet potentially improved hormonal imbalances commonly associated with PCOS.

NEW DELHI: A short-term ketogenic diet was found to significantly enhance weight loss in women having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to new research.

Resorting to the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for 45 days also improved women's hormonal imbalances usually seen in PCOS, the meta-analytical study by the Malaysian Ministry of Health found.