Example diet for polycystic ovary

Premise

The following indications are for information purposes EXCLUSIVELY and are not intended to replace the opinion of professional figures such as doctor, nutritionist or dietician, whose intervention is necessary for the prescription and composition of CUSTOMIZED food therapies.

Polycystic ovary

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease that affects the ovaries (female reproductive system). The disorder recognizes a rather complex etiology, often multifactorial, and - although some of the main risk factors are clear - the triggering of the disease is still poorly defined.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with infertility, due to incomplete ovulation, and with the formation of ovarian cysts due to metamorphosis of immature follicles; this is attributable to some hormonal imbalances that favor the increase of androgens to the detriment of the FSH. As a consequence, generally appear: amenorrhea / irregular cycles, hirsutism and obesity (the latter often constitutes more a risk factor than a real complication). The polycystic ovary is "often" linked to:

• Family predisposition
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity

The pathological mechanism of polycystic ovary syndrome is based on the hyper-production of androgenic hormones. This happens because:

• The pituitary gland releases an excessive amount of LH that stimulates the ovarian production of estrogens, then converted into androgens by adipose tissue (primary pituitary defect, congenital or idiopathic)
• Excessive transformation of female sex hormones into male sex hormones by excess fat tissue (nutritional and / or metabolic defect)
• Appearance of insulin resistance of the ovary that stimulates the ovarian production of estrogens then converted into androgens by adipose tissue (metabolic defect, nutritional and / or congenital).

NB . The androgenic hormones in turn stimulate the release of LH by perpetuating the pathological mechanism of polycystic ovary syndrome.

At the same time, there is a reduction in FSH, which results in infertility, and sometimes an increase in prolactin. Overweight and obesity are found in almost 50% of cases of polycystic ovary syndrome.

To reduce the symptoms and complications of polycystic ovary it is possible to intervene pharmacologically and / or surgically; on the other hand, in the presence of insulin resistance and / or obesity, the low-glycemic low-calorie diet and the desirable motor therapy become ESSENTIAL .

Polycystic ovary diet

First of all, we remember that overweight and insulin resistance, in addition to appearing among the causes / risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome, are also closely related to each other. Overweight (or obesity) and insulin resistance may be the cause of the other (depending on the specific case), even if insulin resistance often has hereditary origins (but this does not mean that it is aggravated by the accumulation of fat) . In parallel, in insulin resistance, due to the reduced peripheral uptake of the hormone, an over-production of the hormone occurs by the pancreas and a consequent peak in the blood. Insulin is an anabolic hormone that also acts on the accumulation of fat in adipocytes and excessive or protracted concentrations tend to favor weight gain.

Having said that, the polycystic ovary diet must have a low glycemic index and (if associated with overweight) have a low energy intake. The fundamental concepts on which it must be based are:

1. Hypocaloricity (in case of overweight): the polycystic ovary diet must provide a quantity of calories that allows to lose weight around 3.0kg a month: to do this it is advisable to take about 70% of the energy necessary for weight maintenance
2. Nutritional balance: the distribution of energy macronutrients should include:
1. 25% of lipids (30% in the growing subject)

• Saturated fatty acids ≤ 10% of total energy
• Essential fatty acids ≥2.5% of total energy

2. A variable amount of protein based on age, sex, body composition, etc. (0.75-1.5g / kg of desirable physiological weight)

• At least 30% made from food of animal origin (to ensure the biological value)

3. The remaining energy in carbohydrates

• Simple glucides between 10-16% of the total energy (10% for those suffering from diseases linked to the metabolism of sugars, 12% for healthy people and up to 16% for those in growth)

3. Ensure a cholesterol content of ≤300mg / day
4. Ensure a dietary fiber content of about 30g / day; it is necessary to moderate the glycemic index of meals
5. The allocation of meals must include at least 5-6 per day and the portions must be carefully established; in this way it is possible to guarantee a lower glycemic load
6. Choice of low glycemic index (IG) foods with association of high carbohydrate foods with good amounts of dietary fiber. Furthermore, it is better NOT to dissociate macronutrients to ensure slow absorption and further moderation of the glycemic index. Prefer sources of integral and naturally formed carbohydrates; reduce refined or processed ones.
7. To facilitate the process of weight loss and restoration of peripheral insulin sensitivity, it is advisable to start a regular physical activity.

There are no dietary supplements useful for the polycystic ovary.

Example Diet against Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Young housewife suffering from polycystic ovary; in expectation of pregnancy, she must treat the syndrome with drugs and moderate both obesity and the insulin resistance she suffers from.

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 1

As can be seen from the nutritional translation table, the goal of diet therapy has been fully achieved; the energy is only 17.9kcal higher than the pre-established NORMALcalore (an oscillation of about 30.0kcal is tolerated), the total simple sugars are lower than the average of the recommended rations and the fibers are around 30.0g / day. As far as proteins are concerned, despite being proportionately distributed in a suitable manner (> 30.0% of animal origin), they are slightly higher than the maximum recommended contribution; we recall that the reference ones (LARN) are SAFETY intervals and that, in the absence of pre-existing hepato-renal pathologies, a similar gap should not cause any repercussions on the state of health. Furthermore, given the nutritional priority of the polycystic ovary diet (hypocaloricity, <simple carbohydrates, > fibers, <IG), and the periodic duration of the nutritional regime in question (maximum 6 months), this characteristic is not to be considered an element of nutritional imbalance.

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 2

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 3

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 4

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 5

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 6

Diet example for polycystic ovary - Day 7