PCOS Can LCHF help?

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) AFFECTS ABOUT 8 MILLION WOMEN IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, YET THERE'S STILL DEBATE IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS AND CAUSE OF THE CONDITION. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, DIET AND LIFESTYLE CAN GREATLY INFLUENCE THE SYMPTOMS OF PCOS.

- CHARIS TORRANCE

It's the leading cause of female infertility and one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, but PCOS still often goes undiagnosed. The good news is that it would seem a lifestyle change could be effective in improving the various symptoms of PCOS.

We chatted to Elzette Struwig, registered dietician and owner of Metabolica Med, and Anri van Rooyen, co-owner of Ariani Health Solutions and the Weight Control Clinic, to find out whether a low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) or ketogenic diet could help PCOS sufferers.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a reproductive disorder that affects about 10% of women. 'Though the cause is still unknown, experts believe it may be due to a combination of factors like genetics, lifestyle and environment,' Elzette says.

When someone has PCOS, they'll have a higher level of male hormones and insulin resistance - meaning the body's cells don't respond normally to insulin and cannot effectively use glucose from the blood for energy. This causes a hormonal imbalance that can greatly affect one's mental and physical wellbeing,' Anri says.

What are the symptoms?

‘Symptoms differ among individuals, and not all women diagnosed with PCOS experience all the symptoms, Anri says. This makes a diagnosis difficult. That said, insulin resistance and elevated insulin levels are key indicators of the disease, even though there may be no obvious signs. 'Insulin resistance is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, liver disease, heart attack and stroke,' Elzette says. 'And in women with PCOS it can contribute to menstrual irregularity and infertility. These symptoms usually appear around the time of a girl's first period, or later in life in response to weight gain.

Diagnosis of PCOS normally follows the appearance of at least two of the following symptoms:

1 MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITY