Researchers have found combining Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamin D might benefit women who suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is an endocrine disorder which is believed to affect anywhere between 6% and 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is characterized by impaired fertility, hyperandrogenism, menstrual dysfunction and polycystic ovaries. There have also been links between PCOS and increased risks for hypertension, depression, anxiety, heart disease, type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
60 patients with PCOS , ranging in age from 18 to 40 years of age, participated in this study. Half the participants were randomly assigned to receive 50,000 IU of Vitamin D every 2 weeks and 2,000 mg of Omega-3 everyday. The other half of the participants received a placebo. The study lasted 12 weeks.
The group supplementing with Vitamin D and Omega-3 had significantly lower total serum testosterone levels when compared with the placebo group. The group of participants that were supplementing with the Vitamin D and the Omega-3 also saw noticeable improvements in anxiety and stress, general health and depression not seen in the group taking the placebo. Additionally the Omega-3 and Vitamin D group experienced reductions in their serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde levels and increases in total plasma antioxidant capacity when compared to the placebo group.
This study’s main limitations involved not taking a measurement of circulating levels of free fatty acids, also not looking at the impact supplementing with Vitamin D and Omega-3 had on gene expression related to oxidative stress as well as metabolic profiles. The smaller sample size, short study duration may also be factors that warrant further studies.
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