What supplements are good for pcos?
Supplementation can be extremely useful when it comes to supporting PCOS. Today, let’s shine a light on Zinc (Zn), the most abundant intracellular trace element. It’s super important to be on top of your intake as, although we have stores, the body can’t access them in times of deprivation so we are dependent on a regular dietary supply of the element.
Why do we need zinc? This essential trace element can be found doing its thing in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and protein, which is responsible for the function of over 300 enzymes & Zn itself is a component of more than 200 enzymes - it gets around. It’s also involved with cell growth, sperm formation, bone formation and skin integrity so it’s an important part of a well functioning bod.
Is zinc good for PCOS? So, when it comes to PCOS zinc ions play crucial roles in insulin metabolism & in the development of insulin resistance. It’s involved in the synthesis, storage, secretion, function & action of insulin - basically insulin needs Zn to do its thing. Interestingly, studies have shown that women with PCOS have lower levels & insufficiency of zinc gives rise to insulin resistance (a driver of PCOS), as well as diabetes and obesity.
Is zinc good for PCOS acne? Yes, Zinc can also help acne. Research suggests that people with acne might have lower serum & skin zinc levels; clinical trials have been small, but most suggest that zinc can improve acne. I often recommend the topical use of zinc soap with my own PCOS clients.
Therefore, zinc supplementation can provide an effective adjunctive nutritional therapy with potential for improving the symptoms in women with PCOS.
Now don’t go supplementing this willy nilly - always seek the support & advice from a registered health professional like myself. You may over do it, not take the best form or even compromise your copper levels as the two compete with each other in the body.
One place you can start is with food: 🦪 Oysters, meats (especially beef), poultry, liver. 🌱Legumes and whole grains, pumpkin seeds & cashews. Vegetables vary in Zn depending on the soil in which they are grown so if you are plant based supplementation may be a wise option.
Snaps for zinc 🙌🏻
References:
The effect of nutrient supplementation in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome-associated metabolic dysfunctions: A critical review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250088/
Nutritional and dietary aspects in polycystic ovary syndrome: insights into the biology of nutritional interventions https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32960105/
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