How useful in controlling PCO?? What is the role of Vit D in treatment of PCO women :: Vitamin D What is the role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids to minimize metabolic ill effects of PCO?? How useful is Flaxseeds in PCO?? How useful in controlling PCO??

Because women with higher blood levels of vitamin D were much less likely to be insulin resistant

In an insightful associative study that highlighted the link between PCOS and vitamin D status, researchers found that women with higher blood levels of vitamin D were much less likely to be insulin resistant (Wehr 2011). A separate study found that vitamin D when administered with metformin was helpful for regulating the menstrual cycles in PCOS women (Rashidi 2009).

A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University found that Vitamin D combined with calcium supplementation helped normalize menstrual cycles for seven of 13 women with PCOS. Of the seven, two became pregnant and the others maintained normal menstrual cycles. These results suggest that abnormalities in calcium balance may be responsible, in part, for the arrested follicular development in women with PCOS and contribute to its pathogenesis (Thys-Jacobs 1999).

What is the role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids to minimize metabolic ill effects of PCO??

Omega 3 FA:How useful in controlling PCO?? How useful is omega 3 fatty acids in PCO where CRP is raised and there is vascular endothelial dysfunction?? Ans:---Evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory activity of omega-3 fatty acids ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a common condition in women with PCOS. In an Australian study, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced liver fat content and other cardiovascular risk factors in women with PCOS, including triglycerides, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In particular, said the researchers, omega-3 fatty acids were helpful in reducing hepatic fat in PCOS women with hepatic steatosis, which is defined as liver fat content greater than 5% (Cussons 2009).

How useful is Flaxseeds in PCO?? How useful in controlling PCO??

The powerful lignans—plant compounds that have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties—in flaxseed may help reduce androgen levels in PCOS women. Flaxseed consumption have been shown to stimulate sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) synthesis (Shultz 1991). Changes in SHBG concentration result in relatively large changes in the amount of free and bound hormones.

In a 2007 study, daily flaxseed supplementation reduced androgen levels and hirsutism in PCOS patients, leading researchers to conclude, “The clinically-significant decrease in androgen levels with a concomitant reduction in hirsutism reported in this case study demonstrates a need for further research of flaxseed supplementation on hormonal levels and clinical symptoms of PCOS.” (Nowak 2007).

Cinnamon How useful in controlling PCO??

Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been studying the effect of cinnamon on blood glucose for over a decade, leading to several interesting discoveries, including that of unique compounds in cinnamon bark that in laboratory studies produce a 20-fold increase sugar metabolism (Broadhurst 2000, Cao 2010). According to one government expert, “These polyphenolic polymers found in cinnamon may function as antioxidants, potentiate insulin action, and may be beneficial in the control of glucose intolerance and diabetes.” (Anderson 2004).

In a 2003 study, 60 diabetics taking 1, 3, or 6 grams/day of ground cinnamon for 40 days lowered their fasting serum glucose by 18% to 29%; triglycerides by 23% to 30%; LDL cholesterol by 7% to 27%; and total cholesterol by 12% to 26% (Khan 2003).

A 2007 study by researchers at Columbia University found that cinnamon reduced insulin resistance in fifteen women with PCOS. In the study, the women were divided into two groups: one group took cinnamon extract while the other group took a placebo. After 8 weeks, the cinnamon group showed significant reductions in insulin resistance while the placebo group did not. The authors did point out that, "A larger trial is needed to confirm the findings of this pilot study and to evaluate the effect of cinnamon extract on menstrual cyclicity."(Wang 2007).

What is the role of Licorice Root in PCO?? How useful in controlling PCO??

A 2004 study by Italian researchers investigated the effect of licorice on androgen metabolism in nine healthy 22-26 year old women in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle and found that licorice reduces serum testosterone. The authors suggested that licorice could be considered an “adjuvant therapy of hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome." This study was the first to follow up on earlier trials, which found that an herbal formula containing licorice reduced testosterone secretion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (Armamani 2004, Takahashi 1988, Takeuchi 1991).