Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects many women of reproductive age. It is characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries. Women with PCOS often experience symptoms such as weight gain, acne, and hair growth in unwanted areas. Managing PCOS involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and sometimes medication. Diet modification and supplements can plan an important role in managing PCOS symptoms and improving overall health.
This video describes PCOS reversal in detail
In this article, we will explore some of the best supplements for PCOS, including Soy Isoflavones, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Polyphenols, and Fibre. We'll also discuss dietary sources of these compounds and provide links to specific products you can purchase.
Soy Isoflavones
Soy isoflavones are plant-derived compounds with estrogenic activity, which can help balance hormone levels in women with PCOS. They have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.
Dietary Sources: Soybeans, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and edamame.
Click on links below to Explore
Estroven Weight Management | Menopause Relief Dietary Supplement | Multi-Symptom Relief | Helps Click to Explore Estroven Weight Management, Menopause Relief, 30 Capsules, Natural Health Product, Multi-Symptom Relief, Helps Reduce Hot Flashes & Night Sweats, Complements Healthy Weight Management
Click to buy on Amazon: Natural Factors Soy Isoflavone Complex 50 mg
Twice a day dose sufficient along with increasing dietary Soya
Click to Read Scientific Study for Diabetes
Click to Read Scientific Study for PCOS
Click to Read Scientific Study for bones
Reduce Muscle Loss in Females with PCOD / Peri - Post Menopause
Click to Explore BILL Soy Protein Isolate Powder 500g
Click to read Protein Leverage Hypothesis
Click to Read Scientific Study for Bones
Click to Read Scientific Study for Muscle
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving heart health, and potentially aiding in hormone regulation in women with PCOS.
Fish and seafood are good food sources of Omega-3, but this can be supplemented as well. It is reasonable to start with one capsule once a day with food and titrate up in consultation with a treating physician based upon biomarkers such as triglycerides, HDL, and hs-CRP in conjunction with lifestyle and dietary changes.
- Once to Twice a day dosage sufficient for most people
- Click to Explore Webber Naturals Omega-3 900 mg Triple Strength, 120 Clear Enteric No Fishy Aftertaste Softgels, Supports Cardiovascular Health and Brain Function
Vegan Option:
- This plant-based Omega-3 supplement is ideal for vegans, providing 300mg DHA and 150mg EPA derived from algae. The fresh mint flavor makes it a pleasant addition to your supplement regimen, supporting heart, eye, and brain health.
- Once to twice a day dosage is sufficient for most individuals
- Click to Explore Nature's Way NutraVege Plant-Based Omega-3 VeggieGels – Vegan-Friendly Omega-3 Supplement with 300mg DHA + 150mg EPA – Fresh Mint Flavour – Support Heart, Eyes, and Brain Function in Adults, 30 Softgels
Click to Read Scientific Study
Herbal Supplements for Weight Loss and Insulin Resistance
Myo Inositol
Myo Inositol / Vitamin B8 has demonstrated benefits for reducing weight, reducing insulin resistance and improving fertility in PCOS
Click to read Study for Insulin Resistance
Click to read study for fertility in PCOS
Click to read study for Weight
Berberine: This is a herb which stimulates AMP Kinase and reduces insulin resistance. It also has benefits for weight loss and lipid control. It also has anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties. Berberine aids in weight loss via various mechanisms including Gut microbiome modulationDose of berberine is one 500 mg capsule thrice a day with meals ( 1.5 gms per day ) . Do Not take if already on Metformin as they work in simlar way.
Click here to read study published in Science Direct
Multivitamin & Multimineral with Antioxidants Lycopene & Lutein
Antioxidants such as Lutein and Lycopene have demonstrated benefits for liver health in animal studies. Taking a multivitamin which also contains antioxidants would be a reasonable and low risk step towards liver health. Off course once can obtain Lycopene and Lutein by consuming tomatoes and carrots.
Click to Explore Jamieson 100% Multivitamin for Adults 50+, with Lutein, Lycopene & Calcium-Canadian
Chewable Multivitamin & Multimineral
Click to read study on benefits of Multivitamins for Memory
Prebiotic Fibre :
Nutrients which gut microbiome requires as food or 'prebiotics' include fibre ( soluble fibre, insoluble fibre, resistant starch etc ), plant polyphenols, omega 3 and plant proteins. While these can be obtained from diet, supplements can also provide these dietary nutrients . Fibre reduces cholesterol, reduces sugar, improves metabolism by feeding gut microbiome and provides satiety through bulking effects.
Dietary Sources: Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Green banana flour contains a high amount of resistant starch.
Click to buy on Amazon: Metamucil, Daily Psyllium Husk Powder Supplement
Click to read study demonstrating benefits of Green Banana Resistant Starch for Fatty Liver
Click to read study published in Science Direct
Click to read study published in Nutrition Journal
Specific Cases:
Hair Loss
Women with PCOS can suffer from male pattern thinning of hair due to hormonal imbalances. Minoxidil 5% has been shown to help with hair regrowth and thickness. Combining it with rosemary oil, which is known for its nourishing and strengthening properties, can be particularly effective.
Click to Read Scientific Study
Click to Read Scientific Study
Minoxidil 5 % hair serum
Hair thinning and male pattern baldness become increasingly common in older men and post-menopausal women. The most evidence-based scalp lotion to reverse this is 5% Minoxidil. Be sure to wash hands carefully after use, as hair growth can occur in unintended parts of the skin if hands are not washed thoroughly. Note that 2.5 % serum is often marketed for women but the scientific evidence favours that both genders should use the 5 % serum.
Click to Read Scientific Study
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary Oil has been shown in one study to be as effective half dose Minoxidil (2.5%) and along with Biotin can be considered as an add on to full dose Minoxidil 5 %
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary Oil has been shown in one study to be as effective half dose Minoxidil (2.5%) and along with Biotin can be considered as an add on to full dose Minoxidil 5 %
Biotin and DHT Blocker Shampoo & Conditioner
While the scientific evidence for efficary of oral biotin is scant ( and it can interfere with thyroid function test results ) this can be used safely in topical form such as shampoo and conditioner.
Click to Read Scientific Study
Example Patterns for Calorie Cycling for Body Recomp
Resistance Training 3-4 Consecutive Days a week eg Mon to Thurs
Monday & Wednesday: Upper body Push + Core Muscles
Tuesday & Thursday: Upper body Pull + Lower Body
6-12 Rep Range but up to 20 if prone to injury or frail
4-6 Sets per session of exercise with 2 minutes rest between Sets
Progressive Overload: Aim to increase volume ie either Reps or Weight every 1-2 weeks
Prioritise Protein intake and consume calories approx at maintanance
Fri, Sat, Sun: Cardio / Aerobic Exercises with Calories under 1000 kcal a day on these three days
'Exercise Snacks' at home
Home Resistance Training Exercise Snack:
Mon & Wed: 2 Sets each of Upper Body Pull and Core Exercises thrice a day before meals
Tues & Thurs: 2 Sets each of Upper Body Push and Lower Body thrice a day before meals
Upper Body Pull: Pull Up / barbell / bicep curl / resistance band
Upper Body Push: Push Up
Core: Sit Up / Crunches / Plank / Ab roller
Lower Body: Squats / Stepper
Home Cardio Exercise Snacks:
10 minutes cardio before breakfast ( fasted zone 2 cardio )
10 minutes cardio after each meal 3 times a day
Walk / Eliptical / Stationary bike / skip rope / Zoomba etc
Resistance Training 3-4 Non Consecutive Days a week eg Mon / Wed / Fri
Full body split can be done since there is 48hrs rest between sessions
Monday / Wednesday / Friday : Upper body Push + Core Muscles + Upper body Pull + Lower Body
6-12 Rep Range but up to 20 if prone to injury or frail
3-4 Sets per session of exercise with 2 minutes rest between Sets
Progressive Overload: Aim to increase volume ie either Reps or Weight every 1-2 weeks
Prioritise Protein intake and consume calories approx at maintanance
Tues / Thurs / Sat Cardio / Aerobic Exercises with Calories under 1000 kcal a day on these three days
'Exercise Snacks' at home
Home Resistance Training Exercise Snack:
Single Set of four compound full body exercises 3 times a day, 3-4 days a week ie on 'Anabolic Days'
Upper Body Pull: Pull Up / barbell / bicep curl / resistance band
Upper Body Push: Push Up
Core: Sit Up / Crunches / Plank / Ab roller
Lower Body: Squats / Stepper
Home Cardio Exercise Snacks:
10 minutes cardio before breakfast ( fasted zone 2 cardio )
10 minutes cardio after each meal 3 times a day
Walk / Eliptical / Stationary bike / skip rope / Zoomba etc
Benefits of Exercise
Although not mutually exclusive , exercise can be categorised into types which have distinct benefits.
Resistance Training: Gain muscle and burn more calories at rest
Aerobic Exercise / Cardio: Improve heart health and burn more calories during exercise
Non Exercise Activity: Burn more calories while not actively exercising
HIIT Exercises: Heart Health and Longevity
Plyometric Exercises: Best for Bone Strength
Isometric Exercises: Best for Blood Pressure and balance.
Active Sports: Heart health, longevity and bone strength
How much should you exercise? Minimum 1.5 hrs a week is recommended but this is a minimum.
I recommend dividing the week into alternate Muscle building and Fat losing days, 4 days of resistance exercise and 3 days for Cardio for instance, ideally alternating to give 48 hrs rest to the relevant muscle groups.
Exercise can be done in longer sessions at the gym for 45-60 minutes at a time or in the form of 'exercise snacks' at home e.g. 15 minute sessions thrice a day.
When doing resistance training one should aim to stimulate most target muscle groups over the group.
For example a person going to gym thrice a week would do a 'full body workout' while a person going six days a week may prefer a split doing different exercises alternate days, again in order to give 48 hrs rest to each muscle group for recovery.
Exercise snack at home should also aim to use compound exercises to stimulate multiple muscle groups simultanously.
Examples here are generic but it is natural that males may prefer to work more on upper body and females on lower body. From a metabolic point of view it doesnt make a difference, improving muscle to fat ratio is what matters to metabolism.
Note: Clients with brittle bones ie osteopenia or osteoporosis much exercise with a straight back posture at all times.
Example Exercise for these Splits :
Upper Body Push :
Push Ups
Above Shoulder Kettle Raise
Triceps Exercise with Resistance Bands
Click to Explore GoFit Power Loop Resistance Bands - Training Pack
Bench Press
Above Shoulder Dumbell Raise
UPPER BODY PULL
Pull Ups
Click to Explore GoFit Elevation Chip Up Station & Bar – No Screw At Home Door Frame Pull Up Bar
Dumbell and Kettle Ball Curls
Resistance Band Curls and Extensions
Click to Explore Extreme Pro Gym Set by GoFit
Barbell Curls
Core Exercises for Lower back and Abs
Ab Rolls
Rows
Lower Body
Leg Extensions and Flexions
Glute Exercises
Click to Explore GoFit Adjustable Ankle Weights
Cardio / Aerobic and Lower Body
Skip Rope
Click to Explore GoFit Beaded Jump Rope
Cycling
Walker
Lunges, Single Leg Squats, HIIT Workout
Increase Non Exercise Activity
Walking treadmill
Mini Eliptical
Under desk pedal
Click to buy Soozier Portable Mini Pedal Exercise Bike Indoor Cycle Fitness Arm Leg w/LCD Display
Increase Activity through Sports
Click to Explore Soozier 6.5'-10' Adjustable Portable Basketball Hoop System Stand Outdoor
