title: Low Starch/Low Dairy Diet Results in Successful Treatment of Obesity and Co-Morbidities Linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 15% of reproductive-age women and increases risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancer and infertility. Hyperinsulinemia is believed to contribute to or worsen all of these conditions, and increases androgens in women with PCOS. Carbohydrates are the main stimulators of insulin release, but research shows that dairy products and starches elicit greater postprandial insulin secretion than non-starchy vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an 8-week low-starch/low-dairy diet results in weight loss, increased insulin sensitivity, and reduced testosterone in women with PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective 8-week dietary intervention using an ad libitum low starch/low dairy diet in 24 overweight and obese women (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2and ≤ 45 kg/m2) with PCOS. Diagnosis of PCOS was based on the Rotterdam criteria. Weight, BMI, Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), fasting and 2-hour glucose and insulin, homeostasis model assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), HbA1c, total and free testosterone, and Ferriman-Gallwey scores were measured before and after the 8-week intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a reduction in weight (-8.61 ± 2.34 kg, p<0.001), BMI (-3.25 ± 0.88 kg/m2, p<0.001), WC (-8.4 ± 3.1 cm, p<0.001), WHtR (-0.05 ± 0.02 inches, p<0.001), fasting insulin (-17.0 ± 13.6 μg/mL, p<0.001) and 2-hour insulin (-82.8 ± 177.7 μg/mL, p=0.03), and HOMA-IR (-1.9 ± 1.2, p<0.001) after diet intervention. Total testosterone (-10.0 ± 17.0 ng/dL, p=0.008), free testosterone (-1.8 pg/dL, p=0.043) and Ferriman-Gallwey scores (-2.1 ± 2.7 points (p=0.001) were also reduced from pre- to post-intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An 8-week low-starch/low-dairy diet resulted in weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced testosterone in women with PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of OB-GYN, Center for Fertility & Reproductive Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Phy
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA ; Department of OB-GYN, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ali M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pohlmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Institute, Department of Statistics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spallholz
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Kitty S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of OB-GYN, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Abbey B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Berenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Mallory
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boylan
keywords: Diet; Hyperinsulinemia; Insulinemic; Insulinogenic; PCOS; Weight Loss