The effects of portfolio moderate-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets on anthropometric indices, metabolic status, and hormonal levels in overweight or obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of a ketogenic high-fat diet (70% fat) and a moderate-carbohydrate diet on anthropometric indices, metabolic status, and hormonal levels in overweight or obese women with PCOS.
Results Summary
The ketogenic diet (KD) showed greater improvements in BMI reduction and reproductive hormone levels (LH, free testosterone, DHEA-s) compared to the moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD). However, PMCD was more effective in improving lipid profiles (LDL-C and triglycerides).
Population
Overweight or obese women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (n=46, with 19 completing the KD group).
Effective Dosage
70% fat content in the ketogenic diet (specific amounts not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) | decrease | anthropometric indices (BMI, FBM, lean body mass) | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | demonstrated enhancement | #1 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | decrease | anthropometric indices (BMI, FBM, lean body mass) | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | demonstrated enhancement | #2 |
portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) | decrease | metabolic status (FBG, insulin serum levels) | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | demonstrated enhancement | #3 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | decrease | metabolic status (FBG, insulin serum levels) | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | demonstrated enhancement | #4 |
portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) | decrease | reproductive hormones (LH, free testosterone, DHEA-s) | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | demonstrated enhancement | #5 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | decrease | reproductive hormones (LH, free testosterone, DHEA-s) | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | demonstrated enhancement | #6 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | decrease | BMI reduction | overweight or obese women with PCOS | MD (SD) 2.73 (0.351) vs. MD (SD) 1.71 (0.775) | improved more than the PMCD | #7 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | decrease | LH | overweight or obese women with PCOS | MD 4.13 (1.375) vs. MD 2.46 (1.105) | improved more than the PMCD | #8 |
portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) | decrease | LDL-C | overweight or obese women with PCOS | MD 33.95 (7.345) vs. MD 23.34 (14.136) | improved more in the PMCD compared to the KD | #9 |
portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) | decrease | triglycerides | overweight or obese women with PCOS | MD 38.20 (10.757) vs. MD 57.62 (21.688) | improved more in the PMCD compared to the KD | #10 |
portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) | no change | Ferriman-Gallwey score | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | no significant changes | #11 |
ketogenic diet (KD) | no change | Ferriman-Gallwey score | overweight or obese women with PCOS | - | no significant changes | #12 |
BACKGROUND: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in reproductive-age women caused by hyperinsulinemia. The portfolio Moderate-carbohydrate diet (PMCD) is a plant-based diet with a carbohydrate content of 40% and incorporates five cholesterol-lowering foods. While, the ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet with 70% fat, promoting a ketosis state. To the best of our knowledge, no study compared the therapeutic effects of these two diets in PCOS patients. Thus, this study aimed to compare the impact of PLCD and KD on anthropometric indices, metabolic status, and hormonal levels in overweight or obese women with PCOS. METHODS: This open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted on forty-six PCOS women. 21 women in PMCD and 19 in the KD group completed the study. The anthropometric indices including body mass index (BMI) and fat body mass (FBM), metabolic markers (fasting blood glucose (FBG)) and plasma lipid profiles including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were measured. Reproductive hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-s) and free testosterone were assessed at the baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: However, after 8 weeks both diets demonstrated enhancement in anthropometric indices (BMI, FBM, lean body mass), metabolic status (FBG, insulin serum levels), and reproductive hormones such as LH, free testosterone, and DHEA-s. The mean difference in the KD improved more than the PMCD in the field of BMI reduction (MD (SD) 2.73 (0.351) vs. MD (SD) 1.71 (0.775)) and LH (MD 4.13 (1.375) vs.MD 2.46 (1.105)). Nevertheless, the lipid profile including LDL-C and triglycerides improved more in the PMCD compared to the KD (MD 33.95 (7.345) vs. MD 23.34 (14.136)) and (MD 38.20 (10.757) vs. MD 57.62 (21.688)) respectively. There were no significant changes in the Ferriman-Gallwey score within or between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that both diets were effective in improving PCOS manifestations. However, the KD exhibited greater effectiveness in enhancing body measurements, metabolic factors, and reproductive hormone levels compared to the PMCD in obese PCOS women. Furthermore, PMCD could be more beneficial for PCOS women with lipide disorders. REGISTRATION NUMBER OF CLINICAL TRIAL: IRCT20200912048693N3, Trial registered 2022-12-14. https://www.irct.ir/trial/67548.