Done by:

Lubaina
Poly Cystic Zaynab
Sham
Ovarian Dania

Syndrome
and
Nutrition
 table of
contents
• 1. What is • 2. How diet
PCOS? affects PCOS

• 3. Foods to include • 4. Foods to avoid

with PCOS with PCOS

• 5. Lifestyles changes to
make with PCOS
 Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition

So, what is in which a high amount of androgens

(male sex hormones) are produced in the
PCOS? body, due to small cysts forming in the
ovaries.

Causes: Symptoms:
• Light, irregular or missed periods
The exact cause is • Ovaries with many cysts
unclear, it is shown • Hirsutism (excess body/facial hair
• Oily skin/ Acne
to run in families. • Weight gain
• Male-pattern baldness/ hair
thinning
 Diet-related conditions
with PCOS

Weight Gain/ Metabolic

Insulin obesity Chronic syndrome
resistance inflammation
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance affects 50-75% of
PCOS patients

As androgens increase with PCOS, that can

lead to abdominal weight gain that further
contributes insulin resistance.
 Weight gain and Obesity
PCOS and Obesity are connected. A Added Sugar
sedentary lifestyle and high-calorie
Between 38-88% of PCOS patients diet can cause obesity
are obese

This maybe due to the insulin Incorporate foods rich in protein, fiber
resistance which is also connected and good fats to
with PCOS increase satiety

Obesity paired with PCOS

Increasing satiety may reduce
can cause patients to
cravings for high-calorie
develop several other conditions
low-satiety foods
 Factors involved in
PCOS 4
These factors are all interlinked. Diet could be a factor in breaking this
cycle and reducing the impact of PCOS. It could also help reduce the problems creating
risk of complications such as diabetes and cancer. gonadotrophin-releasing
hormones, which are essential
for reproductive well-being
3
high levels of body fat
2
changes in metabolic
1 and hormonal
insulin resistance functioning
 Diet can help people with PCOS manage

Insulin production oxidative stress, which

Blood sugar
Body weight and resistance increases the risk of
levels
inflammation and cancer

Over half of those with PCOS develop diabetes or prediabetes before the
age of 40. Diabetes stems from how the body processes insulin. Taking
dietary measures to prevent diabetes can be a significant step toward living
well with PCOS.
 Diets for PCOS
There is currently no standard diet
for PCOS, but various approaches
appear likely to benefit people
with this condition. Here are three
diets that may help people with
PCOS manage their symptoms.
 A Low Glycemic Index
(GI) Diet
The body digests foods with a low GI more slowly, meaning
they do not cause insulin levels to rise as high or as fast as other
foods, such as sugar or highly processed carbohydrates.
Foods in a low GI diet include:
• whole grains
• legumes, such as lentils and beans
• nuts
• seeds
• fruits
• starchy vegetables
Anti-Inflammatory Diet

An anti-inflammatory diet may help improve markers

that relate to PCOS, such as high blood sugar, body
composition, hormonal imbalance, and cardiovascular
risk.
Foods with anti-inflammatory properties include:
• berries
• oily fish
• leafy greens
• extra virgin olive oil
 The DASH Diet
Doctors often recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
diet to reduce the risk or impact of heart disease, but it might also help manage
PCOS.
A DASH diet is rich in:
• fish
• poultry
• fruits
• vegetables
• whole grains
• low fat dairy produce
According to a 2021 study, a DASH diet might improve several features of
PCOS. Examples include the appearance of the ovaries and the reduction in the
number of growths. It might also improve insulin resistance, glucose
management, and fat deposits.
 Foods to eat
While these diets vary in some ways, they have many similarities.
They all promote fresh, whole foods and discourage foods that are highly processed or high in
unhealthy fat and added sugar.
Examples of foods to include in a PCOS-friendly diet include:
• unprocessed foods
• high fiber foods
• fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel
• kale, spinach, and other dark, leafy greens
• dark red fruits, such as red grapes, blueberries, blackberries, and cherries
• broccoli and cauliflower
• dried beans, lentils, and other legumes
• healthy fats, such as olive oil and avocados
• nuts, including pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios
• dark chocolate in moderation
• spices, such as turmeric and cinnamon
FOODS TO AVOID
Eating too many foods associated
with inflammation can aggravate
PCOS symptoms and raise the risk
of myriad of other diseases that
people with pcos are at risk for
developing, such as heart disease
 Foods to avoid and why

Red meat, including

Saturated fats such as butter Fried foods Processed snacks: cakes,
hamburgers, roast beef and
or margarine High in fat and calories cookies, candy and pies
steaks, processed luncheon
They can increase LDL and contribute to
meat and hot dogs
cholesterol and increase weight gain • High in sugar
High in saturated fat
inflammation • Spike insulin
• Low satiety
 FOODS TO AVOID AND WHY

Prepared cereal high in Refined flour, white bread,

Sugary beverages such as Alcoholic beverages
sugar, including instant rolls, pizza crust and pasta
sodas, teas and sports drinks Can cause high blood
White rice
oatmeal, granola pressure/inflammation and
These do not contain complex
High sugar foods can spike the blood sugar and lead to insulin abdominal weight gain carbohydrates and can spike the
resistance blood sugar and leave you feeling
High sugar foods do not keep on feeling full and satisfied for a a long hungry after a short while
time
 How can the ideal lifestyle help
PCOS?
• With the right lifestyle changes patients with PCOS can expect to live a
relatively normal and healthy lifestyle.

• PCOS when left untreated can cause many unfavorable outcomes such as
premature diabetes, severe fertility issues and stress with lowered self-
esteem resulting from the symptoms of the condition.

• The following slides give simple and effective guidelines to keep the
condition in control.
 • Physical activity
It is very useful for losing weight and enhancing
insulin sensitivity, considering that this disease i
greatly affected by disorders of burning calories
insulin, and weight gain.

• Quit smoking
Smoking is harmful to the heart and
increases the level of androgens
that cause the disease
• Awareness of treatments
Knowing the causes of the disease, its
symptoms, and methods of treating it, makes
you sufficiently aware to avoid the disease,
and include natural remedies in your diet
after consulting a doctor.

• Manage stress
PCOS and its associated symptoms can be incredibly stressful on
you. Reducing your stress can help manage symptoms and make it
easier for you to adapt better lifestyle choices overall as well. Try by
adopting more stress-relieving practices, like yoga, meditation, or tai
chi. You may also find it beneficial to speak with a counselor or
therapist.