Effect of Dietary Regimen on the Development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 4%-20% of women worldwide. The pathogenesis of PCOS is still unconfirmed. Some risk factors for the disease are obesity, insulin resistance, genetic factors, and diet. Our aim is to review studies investigating the role of diet in the development of PCOS. We looked into studies published in different databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, using specific keywords as per our study topic. High-carbohydrate, high-fat diets, low-fiber diets, high glycemic index and glycemic load, and Western diets were associated with a higher risk of PCOS. Some vitamins, such as Vitamin D and B9, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, fruits, nuts, and seeds, such as pumpkin and sunflower, are associated with a lower risk of PCOS. The Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) diet reduces the risk of hyperandrogenic or oligoanovulatory phenotypes. The review revealed that unhealthy diets encompass high levels of carbohydrates, animal proteins, fats, and processed foods. Despite inconsistent results from certain studies claiming no disparity in the dietary patterns between PCOS patients and healthy controls, the majority of researchers have amassed sufficient evidence linking nutrition to the incidence of PCOS. The review also underscores the significance of the interplay between genes and the environment in the prevalence of PCOS. Individuals possess a genetic predisposition to the condition from birth, and subsequent exposure to detrimental environmental factors, particularly diet and inactivity, trigger epigenetic changes that contribute to the development of the disorder. This study further illuminated the existence of the "lean PCOS" phenomenon, wherein roughly 20% of global PCOS cases exhibit clinical manifestations of the syndrome but maintain a normal or below-average weight. To sum up, the collective body of assessed research indicates that women with PCOS tend to share similar dietary habits, characterized by the consumption of numerous unhealthy foods such as processed foods, animal proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. While some studies present conflicting findings, these contradictions underscore the necessity for further investigation employing extensive cohorts.