Vitamin D plays an important role in the health and fertility for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite the importance, research shows that 67-85% of women with PCOS are deficient in vitamin D. Especially if you live in the places like Portland where I'm from. If you live in Portland you know what I'm talking about! Jeez, rain be gone!!!
While vitamin D is important for soo many health benefits, here are 3 major roles of vitamin D specifically for women with PCOS.
Vit D Improves Fertility
If you’re trying to conceive make sure your vitamin D levels are in the optimal ranges or consider adding a vit D supplement. The reason? Vitamin D receptors have been identified in almost every tissue and cell in body and vitamin D has been found to be directly involved in follicle egg maturation and development. So many heartbroken women do multiple rounds of fertility meds but can't get pregnant because those little eggs need to be nurtured for at least 3 month before they mature. Meaning, if you prepare your body (ask me how) for several months before the fertility treatment, the chances that you get pregnant are so so so much higher girl. I know what I'm talking about girlfriend, read my story.
Vit D lowers Androgens
Vitamin D has been associated with reducing androgen levels in women with PCOS. A review of six clinical trials with 183 women with PCOS revealed that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced total testosterone levels. Yay, that means it helps with that crazy adult acne and lifeless oily hair. Vit D Lowers Inflammation PCOS is a state of low-grade inflammation that comes from insulin resistance (goes hand in hand with adrenal fatigue). Compared to women without PCOS of similar weight and ages, women with PCOS have higher levels of the inflammatory marker c-reactive protein. Vit D helps you lower that inflammation which means it gets you out “I am in a war with my own body” situation and helps you to lose that stinky spare tire around your belly.
The more vitamin D you take, the better? Absolutely not.
That’s a misconception. Vitamin D is stored in fat. So, if you’re a small girl and getting large doses, you have less storage, which means vitamin D goes into your blood and you can absorb too much calcium. And, my dear if you have problems with your mineral absorption and you are a slow oxidizer (I usually do HTMA with my clients to check for that) vit D can create a toxic situation where all that calcium go to your arteries (hello heart problems) and muscles (hello muscle stiffness) instead of your bones. And it’s unclear how long you have until you exceed the upper limits of vitamin D intake before it becomes dangerous.
The optimal amount of vitamin D for women with PCOS is unknown. Many researchers believe the current amount for Vitamin D is set too low at 600 International Units (IU) daily and should be increased. Women who are deficient in vitamin D or have suboptimal levels, will need higher amounts of vitamin D than the RDA, typically 2,000 IU to 5,000 IU daily. The tolerable upper limit (UL) for Vitamin D is 2,000 IU per day, however, no adverse effects have been found up to 10,000 IU per day.
Ready to find the cause for your PCOS and overcome the annoying symptoms?
I can help!
