Intermittent fasting may reduce weight and affect hormones in PCOS

A Nature Medicine study of 76 people with PCOS found that both time-restricted eating and calorie restriction produced significant weight loss over six months, and the time-restricted group also showed changes in testosterone and A1C levels.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 10–13% of females of reproductive age, according to the World Health Organization. A recent Nature Medicine study examined intermittent fasting, also described as time-restricted eating (TRE), in people with PCOS. The trial randomized 76 participants into three groups and followed them for six months while measuring percentage change in body weight and other markers. The article also notes that hormonal birth control is a common first-line treatment for PCOS and that it can have side effects for some people. Key facts: - WHO estimates about 10–13% of reproductive-age females have PCOS. - The study randomized 76 participants to three groups and lasted six months. - Both the TRE group and a calorie-restriction group achieved significant weight loss by six months. - Participants in the TRE group showed changes in testosterone and A1C (a marker related to blood sugar control). - The article reports that hormonal birth control is a common first-line treatment and can affect mood, libido, metabolism, and stroke risk for some individuals. Summary: The study found that time-restricted eating and calorie restriction led to measurable weight loss in this group of people with PCOS, and that TRE was associated with changes in testosterone and A1C levels. How these results apply to broader or longer-term care and outcomes is undetermined at this time.