“The conclusion is clear: when integrated into a well-balanced diet, dairy is not a contributor to increased inflammation, even for those with PCOS.” - Alessandra Bordoni, et al. (2017) Dairy products and inflammation: A review of the clinical evidence, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Debunking Myths: The Benefits of Dairy for Women with PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, and dietary choices play a crucial role in managing its symptoms. One hotly debated topic is the association between dairy consumption and inflammation, especially for women with PCOS. But fear not, lactose lovers, because the research udderly disagrees...

I know, I'm sorry.

That was...cheesy 😎

Understanding Individual Needs:

Before we dive into the scientific goodies, let's get one thing straight: if your stomach protests the mere mention of "milk," this blog might not be your cup of latte. Lactose intolerant or dairy allergic folks, you're sadly excused from this discussion.

Research Unveiling Dairy's Non-Inflammatory Nature:

Lets talk some facts:

1. DASH-ing Through the Misconceptions:

   • Remember the DASH diet? Turns out, it's not just a dance move. In a surprising turn of events, studies have shown that dairy, when part of the DASH diet, actually plays nice with hormones and antioxidant status in women with PCOS. Inflammation? More like a health-lammation...(1)

2. Low Starch, Low Dairy, Full-Fat Cheese Please:

   • A low starch/low dairy diet with the inclusion of full-fat cheese is not just a dietary strategy – it's a success story! This study demonstrated successful outcomes in treating obesity and co-morbidities associated with PCOS, giving us all the more reason to say "cheese!" (2)

     

3. Reviewing the Dairy Drama and Diabetes:

   • A meta-analysis investigated the relationship between dairy consumption and diabetes incidence. The results indicated a dose-response relationship, highlighting that moderate dairy intake may have a protective effect against diabetes, a condition often linked with PCOS. It seems pretty clear dairy plays nice with our bodies when part of a balanced diet – take that, Almonds! (3)

     

4. High-Protein, and Dairy Fiesta:

   • Research exploring the benefits of a high-protein, low-glycemic-load diet in overweight and obese women with PCOS showed positive outcomes. This diet chose to embrace dairy rather than shun it, participants saw significant strides in their weight control journey, once again debunking the myth of dairy as a villain in inflammation. (4)
     

5. Short-Term Diets, Long-Term Laughs and... babies?

   • A randomised trial pitted two short-term diet types against each other, in women with PCOS revealing an exciting truth: indulging in dairy isn't a deal-breaker. Both diets delivered very promising outcomes, not only in shedding pounds but also in eliciting remarkable progress in reproductive and metabolic health. (5)

So, there you have it folks, the curtain falls on the myth that dairy is inflammatory for women with PCOS or for anyone for that matter. While individual responses vary, research triumphs this disempowering narrative by unveiling the potential benefits of dairy in managing PCOS symptoms.

But let's face it – if you've reached the end of this ripper read and you're still not swayed about dairy's role in your health, whether you're battling PCOS or not...

... then, my friend, you may just be beyond my persuasive powers. You've officially become the one that got away from this evidence based mans compelling clutch.

REFERENCES

1- Effects of Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension diet on androgens, antioxidant status and body composition in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised controlled trial

2- Low Starch/Low Dairy Diet Results in Successful Treatment of Obesity and Co-Morbidities Linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Dairy products and inflammation: A review of the clinical evidence

3- Consumption of dairy foods and diabetes incidence: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies

4- Beneficial Effects of a High-Protein, Low-Glycemic-Load Hypocaloric Diet in Overweight and Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study

5- A randomized trial of the effects of two types of short-term hypocaloric diets on weight loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome