
Women’s Health
Women's Health
How can the ketogenic diet improve women’s health issues?
The ketogenic diet has been shown to improve and balances out insulin levels, sex hormones (decrease free testosterone and increases sex-hormone binding globulin), and the LH/FSH (lutenizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone) ratio in women. This has lead to it’s implication as a nutritional therapy for P.C.O.S., since it is an endocrine disorder linked to obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and elevated lipid and cholesterol levels. Since PCOS is a common cause of infertility, the ketogenic diet has been heavily linked to increased fertility in women. In fact, in the first study listed below, two of the women who were previously infertile became pregnant during the study.
Furthermore, the ketogenic diet also has benefits for conditions such as amenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycles, endometriosis, and hormonal imbalances due to its ability to regulate hormone levels and decrease inflammation. Check out the studies below that show how the ketogenic diet may improve women’s health issues and their symptoms.
What issues are some of the issues women are facing?
– P.C.O.S. or polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by increased androgen levels and characterized by ovarian cysts, menstrual irregularities, weight gain, acne, facial hair, and infertility.
– Infertility affects approximately 10% of women and is often caused by PCOS or other ovulation disorders, endometriosis, body weight (too high or low), hormonal imbalances, and uterine abnormalities.
– Endometriosis is a painful disorder caused by uterine tissue found outside of the uterus. This tissue is often located on the Fallopian tubes or ovaries, but can also be located on the intestines. Since endometrial tissue is sloughed off during her menstrual cycle (which is what causes bleeding) women may experience more painful periods, as this tissue is also being broken down outside of the uterus.
– Amenorrhea is the absence of a monthly period and irregular menstruation is characterized by abnormal timing, lack of or heavy periods. This often caused by certain medications, stress, PCOS, body weight (too high or low), intense physical activity, and eating disorders, menopause, and pregnancy.
– Hormonal imbalances is a catch-all term for irregular levels of hormones– most often referring to andorgen (estrogen or testosterone), thyroid, or cortisol levels.
