I know many women have been told, ‘Just slim down.’ But, if you have PCOS, you’ll understand it’s not often that simple! The underlying insulin resistance, sluggish thyroid, and other factors make it notoriously hard to lose excess weight and easy to regain.
The excellent news is that investigations are being conducted in this field. Exciting and very interesting research.
I’ve been advocating for a low-glycemic index, gluten-free, and dairy-free diet for some time now. This is an evidence-based approach for addressing elevated testosterone, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, weight loss, and insulin resistance.
One study showed that a short and straightforward intervention resulted in “weight loss, a reduction in waist circumference, and body fat loss in an overweight and obese PCOS population. This diet also led to improvements in insulin sensitivity … and a reduction in total and free testosterone in women with PCOS.”
What was this intervention?
The Dairy Connection: What You Need to Know about PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, and its symptoms can be devastating. Elevated testosterone, stubborn weight gain, and insulin resistance aren’t just side effects of PCOS—they’re actually significant drivers of the condition itself.
I know many people have been told, “Just lose weight.” But if you have PCOS, you understand it’s rarely that simple! The underlying insulin resistance makes it notoriously difficult to lose weight and frustratingly easy to regain it.
The good news?
A Simple Dietary Change can make a Significant Difference.
Now, research is supporting what we’ve been observing in practice.
What the Research Shows
A recent study in the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss Therapy by Phy and colleagues examined 24 overweight and obese women with PCOS over an 8-week period. The participants followed a low-starch, low-dairy food plan—and here’s the best part: no calorie or carbohydrate counting required! (That’s a relief, right?) Women were allowed to eat until they felt satisfied. No starvation diets in sight.
Why research these foods?
Because of their insulinemic properties—meaning they cause significant insulin spikes in the body, which is particularly problematic in PCOS.
The Results Were Impressive
This short, straightforward intervention led to:
- Weight loss
- Reduction in waist circumference
- Improvements in insulin sensitivity
- Reduction in testosterone levels
In other words, this dietary approach targeted the very hormonal imbalances that drive PCOS symptoms.
Why This Matters
These approaches won’t just help you manage your PCOS naturally—they can also help you live longer and prevent serious diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Now that’s fantastic news!
What is the major mistake many folks with PCOS make? Continuing to consume dairy products may be fueling their insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances. For many women, eliminating or significantly reducing dairy can be a game-changer.
If you’ve been struggling with PCOS and feel like you’ve tried everything, consider whether dairy might be holding you back. This evidence-based approach offers genuine hope for effectively managing your symptoms.
From PCOS to perfect health, with love,
Dr. Rebecca Harwin
The PCOS Expert
Chiropractor & Bestselling Author of
Conquer Your PCOS Naturally
www.ConquerYourPCOSNaturally.com
P.S. This is an excellent approach for reducing high testosterone, managing PCOS, promoting weight loss, and improving insulin resistance. It has helped me to personally, permanently shed 25 kg and conquer my PCOS signs and symptoms, and has worked almost magically for many of my patients.
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