Keto Diet and Supplements May Restart Stalled Menstruation
Key Findings
A ketogenic diet or ketone supplements may regulate irregular menstrual cycles and restart periods in women with stalled menstruation, according to a new study.
Study Highlights
_ Participants: 19 premenopausal women (average age 34, overweight but healthy).
_ Groups:Ketogenic diet (7 women).
_ Ketogenic diet ketone salt supplements (6 women).
_ Low-fat diet (6 women).
_ Duration: 6 weeks.
Results
_ Menstrual Changes: 11 of 13 women on the keto diet or supplements reported changes in menstrual frequency or intensity.6 women who hadn’t had a period in over a year saw their cycles restart.
_ 1 participant (age 33) experienced her first-ever period after 5 days of ketosis.
_ Low-Fat Diet: No menstrual changes were reported.
Key Insight:
_ The presence of ketones in the blood appears to influence menstrual cycles, independent of weight loss.
Additional Health Benefits
_ Both the keto diet and low-fat diet resulted in:
_ Significant weight loss.
_ Reduced body fat.
_ Improved cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity.
_ Mechanism Hypothesis
_ Researchers propose that ketones may act as signaling molecules that regulate hormonal balance, influencing the endocrine and metabolic systems.
Future Research
_ Investigating ketone supplementation as a tool for hormonal regulation.
_ Exploring links between nutrition, exercise, and women’s health.
_ Addressing conditions such as PCOS, perimenopause, and postpartum depression.
Why It Matters
_ Approximately 5-7% of reproductive-aged women in the U.S. experience three months without a period annually.
_ This research could empower women with dietary interventions to manage irregular cycles and reproductive health.
Journal Reference:
Madison L. Kackley et al., PLOS ONE (2024).
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293670
New Research from The Ohio State University Published: PLOS ONE (2024)
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