What science says about Atkins Diet For PCOS

The Atkins diet for PCOS is a highly debatable topic. 

On one end, many medical and healthcare supporters do believe that the Atkins diet can help in treating PCOS. Many researches and medical evidences are also available to reinforce these claims. 

Many success stories are published as well all over the internet to support this.

However, on the other hand, many doctors and health experts don’t believe that the Atkins diet is appropriate for PCOS. 

This is mainly because they believe that this diet can treat only one aspect of this medical condition which is insulin resistance, and this is not enough to cure PCOS. 

The other argument used against the Atkins diet for PCOS is that this diet removes completely an important food group, and hence it is not a healthy diet to follow.  

Opinion in favor of following the Atkins diet for PCOS:

Supporters of the Atkins diet as a cure for PCOS believe that following a low-carbohydrate diet, while focusing on protein and fat is beneficial and can help in regulating insulin levels and promote weight loss. Hence, the Atkins diet is beneficial for PCOS.

Some published studies have also supported the fact that a low-carbohydrate diet like the Atkins diet has beneficial effects on PCOS.

For instance, a study titled “ The effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on the polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study” showed that women with PCOS that followed a low-carb diet for 24 weeks showed significant reduction in fasting insulin levels in the blood.

Opinion against following the Atkins diet for PCOS:

On the other hand, many opponents of the Atkins diet for PCOS that do not believe in the theory that a low-carbohydrate diet is beneficial for this condition. 

They claim that eliminating an entire food group is not something healthy to follow and should not be recommended, especially since the long-term effects of this diet are still unknown. 

Plus, they do not agree with the fact that all carbohydrates are labeled as bad, because some carbs are very healthy such as vegetables.

Opponents of the Atkins diet for PCOS also argue that even though insulin resistance plays a key role in the condition, it is only one part of the various factors affecting PCOS. 

Therefore, by following a low-carb diet such as the Atkins, we are only solving one factor and not the whole problem.

Finally, opponents of the Atkins diet for PCOS believe that more studies and evidence are still required to better understand the long terms effects of low-carbohydrate diets, and how they might work in reversing PCOS.