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The following is a summary of “Impact of short-term ketogenic diet on sex hormones and glucose-lipid metabolism in overweight or obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome,” published in the December 2024 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Li et al.  

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that affects people with ovaries, often co-occurs with obesity and insulin resistance, making this challenging to manage.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to compare the effects of a ketogenic diet (KD) vs. comprehensive intervention in managing people with overweight or obesity and PCOS.  

They involved 70 people with overweight or obesity and PCOS (body mass index [BMI] ≥24 kg/m²) treated (December 2022 to December 2023). Group 1 (N = 35) received KD treatment, and Group 2 (N = 35) underwent a comprehensive intervention involving lifestyle changes and oral contraceptives, both lasting 3 months. Changes in body weight, BMI, sex hormone levels, glucose-lipid metabolism indicators, and liver and kidney function were evaluated.  

The results showed significant reductions in body weight and BMI in both groups (P<0.05), with greater reductions in the KD group (P<0.05). Levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), the ratio of LH to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and total testosterone (TT) decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). The KD group showed reductions in fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P<0.05). The comprehensive intervention group showed decreased FBG and ALT levels and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels (P<0.05). The KD group had greater FBG, TG, and AST reductions than the comprehensive intervention group (P<0.05).  

They concluded that short-term KD treatment provided significant weight loss, improved hormone balance, and enhanced glucose-lipid metabolism, offering a valuable management option for people who are overweight or obese and have PCOS.  

Source: obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jog.16178