(NaturalHealth365) Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman’s hormones are not balanced. This condition is usually represented by having abnormally high levels of androgen – often resulting in formation of cysts on the ovaries.

As crazy as this may sound to the holistically-minded individual, conventional medications for PCOS include birth control pills, fertility medications and metformin, a drug for diabetes which can cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.

Generally speaking, western medicine believes that drugs will help to ‘control’ some of the many PCOS symptoms, such as:

• High cholesterol, triglycerides and high blood pressure
• Hirsutism, or unwanted facial and body hair
• High blood sugar, or insulin resistance
• Amenorrhea or irregular menstrual cycles
• Weight gain

Of course, never once, will conventionally-trained physicians talk about a cure.  Their training only teaches them to “treat and manage” diseased conditions.  But, here’s the point, all synthetically-produced drugs have unwanted side effects, and you can effectively balance hormones with natural remedies and lifestyle changes.

The promising effects of omega-3 fatty acids on PCOS

Omega-3 fatty acids are heart-healthy fats whose cardioprotective effects also appear to benefit women with PCOS. You can get them from your diet or from high-quality nutritional supplements. Higher intake may lower risk factors like high triglycerides, blood pressure, and liver fat content.

In fact, a study published in the journal Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, found that flaxseed supplementation reduced hirsutism and weight in a woman with PCOS. Because of these promising effects, the second study’s lead author, Nurse Debra Novak from Duke University School of Nursing and the other researchers concluded that there is “a need for further research of flaxseed supplementation on hormonal levels and clinical symptoms of PCOS.”

The effects of flaxseed on androgen levels in PCOS may result partly from lignans found in flaxseed.

Flaxseeds provide essential short-chain omega-3 fats as well as lignans, while seafood provides long-chain omega-3s. You can increase the amount of flaxseed you get in your diet by simply adding it to breakfast cereals or sprinkling it into salads and sandwiches. If you are looking to increase your long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake, focus on wild-caught seafood such as, salmon, anchovies and sardines.

What are the best dietary supplements for PCOS patients?

Of course, always choose a healthy (organic) diet to help keep your weight in check; stabilize blood sugar; and avoid chronic disease.  But, in many individual circumstances, dietary supplements can really help to get more of those PCOS-fighting nutrients not found in a typical diet.

For example, vitamin D may help to normalize menstrual cycles, while magnesium and chromium are minerals that can help improve blood sugar control.  Lipoic acid is not an essential vitamin or mineral, but this nutritional supplement is crucial for your energy, weight loss, better circulation, improved insulin sensitivity and liver health.

Effects of various inositols, include D-chiro-inositol (DCI), myo-inositol, and D-pinitol, include reducing androgen levels, triglycerides and blood sugar.

Bottom line, if you have PCOS, natural treatments are certainly worth investigating as an alternative to relying solely on synthetic (toxic) medications. Research suggests that certain superfoods and dietary supplements can relieve symptoms to make polycystic ovarian syndrome less of a concern in your life.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
WebMD.com