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A proinflammatory diet enhances PCOS risk

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Dr Veena Aggarwal, Consultant Womens’ Health, CMD and Editor-in-Chief, IJCP Group & Medtalks Trustee, Dr KK’s Heart Care Foundation of India    27 May 2022

A high dietary inflammatory index (DII) score is indicative of increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), suggests a study published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.1

This study was conducted to explore the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and the risk of PCOS. The sample size was 203 women with PCOS, while 291 women without PCOS were recruited as the control group. The mean age was ~30 years. The DII was calculated with the help of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) comprising 147 food items and beverages, using 36 macro- and micronutrients extracted from the FFQ. The mean BMI was 24.5 kg/m2.

Weight, BMI and waist circumference were significantly higher among women with PCOS, while the physical activity was lower compared to controls. They also ate more carbohydrates, cholesterol and refined grains, but consumed polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin D and dairy in less amounts than the control group. Analysis of the DII scores showed that women in the highest quartile almost doubled their risk of PCOS compared to those who were in the lowest quartile with odds ratio of 1.75.

Lifestyle diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, NAFLD, are characterized by low grade inflammation. Diet has a role in modifying the inflammatory status of the body. The DII is used to assess the effect of diet on inflammation in the body. A high DII score represents a proinflammatory diet, while a low DII score is indicative of an anti-inflammatory diet. Saturated fats increase inflammation in the body, while fruits, vegetables are anti-inflammatory.

This study has shown an association between a proinflammatory diet indicated by high DII and risk of PCOS, which is also now recognized as a lifestyle disease. Along with insulin sensitizers, lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of management of PCOS. Proinflammatory foods must be avoided to prevent PCOS and other lifestyle diseases.

An anti-inflammatory diet coupled with healthy lifestyle behaviors such as increased physical activity, not smoking, and getting adequate sleep, results in a healthy mind and body by modulating the underlying low-grade inflammation.

Reference

  1. Sharkesh EZ, et al. The dietary inflammatory index is directly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2022 May;96(5):698-706. doi: 10.1111/cen.14672.

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