The post is the first in a series that will discuss the peer-reviewed research on the potential of popular diets to address PCOS symptoms.

Due to the prevalence of insulin resistance among women with PCOS, the ketogenic diet is often suggested for women with PCOS. Insulin resistance impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, and this is particularly problematic when large amounts of carbohydrates are consumed. The body has to pump out large amounts of insulin, and these large amounts of insulin cause increased production of testosterone in women with PCOS. Keeping carbohydrates minimal is one (but not the only!) way to keep blood sugar stable without the need for a large release of insulin, and this can reduce many of the symptoms of PCOS.