Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have metabolic disturbances including what is called  "Metabolic Syndrome". Metabolic Syndrome as defined by the American Heart Association includes abdominal obesity, disorders of the blood fat specifically elevated triglycerides and low HDL. It also can include high blood pressure, as well as insulin resistance which leads to problems with blood sugar including prediabetes and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is also a pro-inflammatory state meaning that it encourages inflammation in the body.

 A new study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology has just shown a high correlation between low vitamin D levels with the features of the Metabolic Syndrome in women with PCOS.

Specifically low vitamin D levels were found in over 72% of the women with PCOS. The lower the vitamin D level the more likely were the women to have the Metabolic Syndrome.

The authors have appropriately called for larger interventional trials to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation could improve the metabolic disturbances in women with PCOS.

PUBMED ID 19628650

(Not related to my vitamin D blog, I would also encourage women with PCOS to be sure to have their iodine levels checked. Low iodine is also  associated with PCOS