NutritionalSupplementsandComplementary TherapiesinPolycysticOvarySyndrome

Abstract

Polycysticovarysyndrome(PCOS)affects1in5womenofreproductiveage,andischaracterizedbymenstrualirregularities,clinicalorbiochemical hyperandrogenism,andthepresenceofpolycysticovarymorphology.Oneoftherecommendedtreatmentstrategiesintheinternationalevidencebased guidelines is lifestyle modification, which includes diet and exercise, with the aim of improving a range of health outcomes. The incurable natureofPCOSreinforcestheimportanceofdevelopingnovelandinnovativesymptomaticreliefstrategies,whicharecurrentlytheonlyavailable approachesforimprovingqualityoflifeforthesewomen.WomenwithPCOStendtobenutrientdeficientinmanycommonvitaminsandminerals, thoughttobeassociatedwiththepsychological(depression,anxiety,etc.)andphysiological(insulinresistance,diabetes,infertility,etc.)sequelaeof thecondition.Nutrientsupplementationandtheintegrationofcomplementarymedicineasadjunctstotraditionallifestyle-basedtherapiesinPCOS could therefore provide additional benefits to these women. In this review, we synthesize the evidence regarding nutrient supplementation and complementarytherapiesinPCOS,predominantlyfromrandomizedcontrolledtrials,systematicreviews,andmeta-analyses,toprovideanoverview ofthestateofknowledgeinthisfield.Theevidencetodatesuggeststhatspecificvitamins(B-12,inositols,folate,vitaminsD,E,andK),vitamin-like nutrients(bioflavonoidsandα-lipoicacid),minerals(calcium,zinc,selenium,andchromiumpicolinate),andotherformulations(melatonin,ω-3fatty acids,probiotics,andcinnamon),aswellassomecomplementaryapproachessuchasacupunctureandyogamaybebeneficialinPCOS.However, thereremainareasofuncertaintyandkeylimitationsintheliteraturethatmustbeovercomebeforethesetherapiescanbeintegratedintoroutine clinicalpractice.