It’s been long established that eating complex carbs, a high intake of sugar, and being overweight are detrimental to female fertility. Obese women are more likely to suffer from infertility, and they’re less likely to respond positively to fertility treatment.
The good news is that a ketogenic diet can possibly improve a woman’s fertility status. A diet that is high in fat and low in carbohydrates not only results in weight loss for overweight women, but it also balances a woman’s insulin levels, which plays a positive role in fertility and conception.
The ketogenic diet can be therapeutic for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.1
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries and ovarian cysts. Symptoms include irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity. For years, scientists have been searching for the perfect diet to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS, and they’ve finally found a goldmine in the ketogenic diet.
The ketogenic diet aids in weight loss and regulates insulin, which are two major boons to fertility. Studies show that a simple ketogenic diet can help women manage – and even reverse – their PCOS. By limiting carbohydrates, eating high-fiber vegetables with every meal, and eating the right amount of protein, women can see dramatic improvements in their fertility.
Women can increase their chances of fertility five-fold by cutting carbs.2
Who knew that a lifestyle change as simple as cutting carbs could make having a family possible? A growing body of evidence links a high carb diet to impaired fertility.
A US trial split a group of 120 women in two camps: a “low carb” group, and a “high carb” group. A whopping 58% of women in the “low carb” group got pregnant as opposed to only 11% in the “high carb” group.2
This is incredible evidence that spells it out clearly: for women who are trying to conceive, or women who are having a hard time conceiving, significantly cutting carbs could help you start a family.
The ketogenic diet can alleviate conditions that harm female fertility
Conditions such as obesity, type II diabetes, and the aforementioned Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, may be improved with the ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet can be effective in helping women lose weight quickly and safely.
Type II diabetes is another condition that adversely affects a woman’s chance of getting pregnant. Type II diabetes is linked to female sexual dysfunction and issues with the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries. Women with diabetes can have trouble in the bedroom relating to desire, arousal, lubrication, and pain during intercourse.3
It’s encouraging that the ketogenic diet can help women balance their insulin levels, lose weight, and help reverse conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Women who are trying to conceive should talk to their doctor about embarking on the ketogenic diet – for their own health, and for the health of their families.
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
- A Ketogenic Pregnancy: Is It Safe? - June 20, 2018
- Perfect Keto Nut Butter is, Well, Perfect for Keto - May 14, 2018
- The Silicon Valley’s Favorite Diet? Brain-Boosting Keto - May 11, 2018
