Brief communication

The effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on the polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study

John C Mavropoulos¹ , William S Yancy^1,2 , Juanita Hepburn¹ and Eric C Westman¹

¹  Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA

²  Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA

author email corresponding author email

Nutrition & Metabolism 2005, 2:35doi:10.1186/1743-7075-2-35

Published:	16 December 2005

Abstract

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. Because low carbohydrate diets have been shown to reduce insulin resistance, this pilot study investigated the six-month metabolic and endocrine effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (LCKD) on overweight and obese women with PCOS.

Results

Eleven women with a body mass index >27 kg/m² and a clinical diagnosis of PCOS were recruited from the community. They were instructed to limit their carbohydrate intake to 20 grams or less per day for 24 weeks. Participants returned every two weeks to an outpatient research clinic for measurements and reinforcement of dietary instruction. In the 5 women who completed the study, there were significant reductions from baseline to 24 weeks in body weight (-12%), percent free testosterone (-22%), LH/FSH ratio (-36%), and fasting insulin (-54%). There were non-significant decreases in insulin, glucose, testosterone, HgbA1c, triglyceride, and perceived body hair. Two women became pregnant despite previous infertility problems.

Conclusion

In this pilot study, a LCKD led to significant improvement in weight, percent free testosterone, LH/FSH ratio, and fasting insulin in women with obesity and PCOS over a 24 week period.