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Cited by 95Ovarian function and disordersDiet and metabolism studiesDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

The Effect of Low Carbohydrate Diet on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Open access
Zhang, Xiaoshuai, Zheng, Yang, Guo, Yanan, Lai, Zhiwen·2019·International Journal of Endocrinology
DOI 10.1155/2019/4386401PMC PMC6899277
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Abstract

Objective. To assess the effect of a low carbohydrate diet (LCD) on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were obtained to perform a meta-analysis of the effects of LCD in PCOS patients. The primary outcomes included the changes in BMI, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and blood lipids, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), total testosterone (T), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Results. Eight RCTs involving 327 patients were included. In comparison with the control group, the LCD decreased BMI (SMD = −1.04, 95% CI (−1.38, −0.70), P<0.00001), HOMA-IR (SMD = −0.66, 95% CI (−1.01, −0.30), P<0.05), TC (SMD = −0.68, 95% CI (−1.35, −0.02), P<0.05), and LDL-C (SMD = −0.66, 95% CI (−1.30, −0.02), P<0.05). Stratified analyses indicated that LCD lasting longer than 4 weeks had a stronger effect on increasing FSH levels (MD = 0.39, 95% CI (0.08, 0.71), P<0.05), increasing SHBG levels (MD = 5.98, 95% CI (3.51, 8.46), P<0.05), and decreasing T levels (SMD = −1.79, 95% CI (−3.22, −0.36), P<0.05), and the low-fat and low-CHO LCD (fat <35% and CHO <45%) had a more significant effect on the levels of FSH (MD = 0.40, 95% CI (0.09, 0.71), P<0.05) and SHBG (MD = 6.20, 95% CI (3.68, 8.72), P<0.05) than the high-fat and low-CHO LCD (fat >35% and CHO <45%). Conclusion. Based on the current evidence, LCD, particularly long-term LCD and low-fat/low-CHO LCD, may be recommended for the reduction of BMI, treatment of PCOS with insulin resistance, prevention of high LDL-C, increasing the levels of FSH and SHBG, and decreasing the level of T level. Together, the analyzed data indicate that proper control of carbohydrate intake provides beneficial effects on some aspects of PCOS and may represent one of the important interventions improving the clinical symptoms of affected patients.

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  • Reduced carbohydrate intake, specifically complex carbohydrates, is more effective for blood sugar levels and metabolic outcomes in women with PCOS.

    “Research suggests that reduced carbohydrate intake, specifically complex carbohydrates, is more effective for blood sugar levels and metabolic outcomes in women with PCOS [17, 18].”

    From Nutritional and herbal interventions for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a comprehensive review of dietary approaches, macronutrient impact, and herbal medicine in management (2025) · cites this paper as [18]

    The Abstract Results and Conclusion (no page numbers available) report that low-carbohydrate diets improved insulin resistance and several metabolic measures in women with PCOS. The paper does not identify complex carbohydrates as the specific target of reduction, and its reported PCOS outcomes do not establish a direct improvement in blood sugar levels. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [10]Yuan H. Peng Z. Han C. Wu X. Xu M. Effect of a low carbohydrate diet on infetility among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome Chinese Journal of Family Planning 2015 23 4 235 238
  2. [22]Chavarro J. E. Rich-Edwards J. W. Rosner B. A. Willett W. C. Diet and lifestyle in the prevention of ovulatory disorder infertility Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007 110 5 1050 1058 10.1097/01.AOG.0000287293.25465.e1 2-s2.0-35848968449 17978119 · DOI
  3. [24]Faghfoori Z. Fazelian S. Shadnoush M. Goodarzi R. Nutritional management in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a review study Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome 2017 11 S429 S432 28416368
  4. [25]Jeffrey Chang R. Dumesic D. A. Strauss J. F. Barbieri R. L. Chapter 21-polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperandrogenic states Yen and Jaffe’s Reproductive Endocrinology 2019 Bethesda, MA, USA NCBI 520.e13 555.e13 ISBN 9780323479127
  5. [26]Lizneva D. Atabiekov I. Azziz R. Polycystic ovary syndrome Encyclopedia of Reproduction 2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands Elsevier 59 69

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Authors
Zhang, X., Zheng, Y., Guo, Y., & Lai, Z.
Affiliations
  • Chongqing Medical University (CN)
  • Department of Gynecology, Chengdu Xinan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
Corresponding author
  • Guo, Yanan
  • Lai, Zhiwen
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Endocrinology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-11-26
Volume
2019
Pages
1-14
ISSN
  • 1687-8337 (ISSN-L)
  • 1687-8345
DOI
10.1155/2019/4386401
PMC
PMC6899277
OpenAlex
W2991332167
Cited by
95
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 11
FWCI
1.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Keywords
low-carbohydrate diet, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, body mass index, serum lipids, sex hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, dietary intervention, weight loss, hyperandrogenism, dyslipidemia, insulin sensitivity, ovulation

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