Dietary managements for improving impaired glucose and insulin metabolism among women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. It is associated with oligomenorrhea/ amenorrhea, infertility, hyperandrogenemia, obesity and impaired metabolism of glucose and insulin, resulting in serious consequences on health, such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia play an important role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Therefore, the reduction of insulin levels and the improvement of insulin sensitivity must be the principal goals of treatment. Lifestyle changes (i.e., regarding diet and physical activity habits) are proposed as the first steps of treatment. However, the optimal dietary management is not known yet. Several clinical trials have studied the effects of some nutritional/ dietary manipulations for primarily improving impaired glucose and insulin metabolism among women with PCOS. These include weight loss through hypocaloric diets, changes of the diet composition in terms of macronutrients, and other lifestyle behavioral changes. Findings suggest that weight loss should be recommended to all overweight/ obese women with PCOS, by means of total energy intake reduction, while meeting nutrient needs, regardless of diet composition. However, further investigation is needed in order to draw safe conclusions.