Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a condition that affects numerous numbers of women. There is an abnormal level of hormones and male hormones are more dominant. This hormonal imbalance can cause irregular menstrual cycle and infertility that can make it harder for woman to get pregnant.
Medications given by physicians are proven to treat PCOS. But through years of study and research, intakes of food supplements are also used today to cure PCOS naturally.
Of course you need to consult your doctor first before trying any of them. Proper exercise and healthy food diet should also be incorporated to achieve the best results.
Here are the topmost supplements used by women with PCOS:
- ZINC
Zinc is one of the amazing 24 micronutrients essential for survival. Its enzyme and antioxidant behavior can help regulate PCOS by managing ovulation, insulin resistance, acne, weight management, and blood glucose levels.
If your zinc levels falls less than 70 μg/L, then it is the perfect time to consider supplementing with either zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, zinc citrate, or zinc monomethionine. Be mindful not to use zinc oxide or zinc picolinate as these types are not accepted by your body.
The 70 μg/L is actually within the "normal range", so if you go down this amount, then you should also be incorporating a copper supplement too to your diet as zinc needs to be kept in balance with copper. The ratio of zinc to copper should be 8:1 and 12:1.
Always seek the guidance of your doctor before taking any of them.
- Curcumin
Curcumin is mostly mistaken as turmeric. Well, it is the yellow pigment found in turmeric itself. Its anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory effects work great for women with PCOS.
When someone has PCOS, a chronic low grade inflammation is one of its distinctive characters. This inflammation is responsible for other unwanted symptoms such as irregular weight gain, cardiovascular diseases, hirsutism, acne breakout, and more.
Curcumin can fight against this inflammation. That's the reason why it is a great friend to healthy PCOS diet.
Also Read: Weight Loss, Exercise May Boost Fertility
- Berberine
Berberine is a plant extract widely used in China as traditional medicine. It is continuously making a name in scientific journals and clinical practices because of its anti-diabetic content.
Berberine ranks as one of the top 10 most effective supplements for PCOS because it aids women whose PCOS is connected to insulin resistance or type-2 diabetes. So if your doctor prescribed you metformin or any other medicines with same hypoglycemic effect, then berberine is best to boost its effect.
- Inositol
Literally speaking, but most people are not aware of this supplement. Inositol is a group of nine vitamin-like compouds occurring naturally. It is present in many foods but the amount is limited per food serving. The most commonly used of these are Myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol. The combination of two should be taken for perfect balance.
Inositol targets to help cellular level, making it significant for other PCOS related symptoms.
One out of ten women is diagnosed with PCOS. There are proven effective treatments and all you have to do is try which ones will work for you.
