Fish Oil for PCOS: FISHIN’ FOR A REMEDY

by Amy Medling, founder of PCOS Diva

The thought of taking fish oil for PCOS made my stomach turn.

Imagine my horror when, many years ago, I went to see a naturopath in the hopes of finding a natural treatment for PCOS, and the first thing she said to me was, “We need to get you on a good fish oil.”

I had never taken fish oil before.  I remember my mom talking about how she had to take cod liver oil when she was a kid and how much she hated it.

I expected the worst but was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t bad!  Once I found the right kind, there was no fishy taste or fish burps!

The best part is that I have noticed when I take fish oil my skin is clearer, my cycles are more regular, my hair loss slows, and my insulin sensitivity is improved.

My experience is not unique.  Fish oil is a natural medicine that has been proven effective over thousands of years.  In more recent history, studies have shown particular benefits to:

• Improved insulin sensitivity^1,4,5
  
• Reduction of hirsutism¹
  
• regulation of menstrual cycles³
• reduction in liver fat content²
• reduction in testosterone levels³
• reduction of inflammation⁴
  decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease^2,6

Since that fateful visit, my entire family and I have been taking fish oil regularly with wonderful results.  I tried many brands and delivery methods (pills, liquids), and found one that was okay, but it wasn’t exactly what we needed.  Finally, I sourced my own pharmaceutical-grade brand and PCOS Diva Ultra DHA Omega 3 Fish Oil was born!

It is important that you purchase your fish oil from a reputable company that has been verified by independent laboratory analysis that their product is free from chemical contamination. These products are regularly tested (using AOAC international protocols) for freshness, potency, and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory and have been determined to be fresh, fully potent, and free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB’s and other contaminants.

What is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is harvested from cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, herring, tuna, eel, and anchovies. These fish are high in omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), which break down into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EFAs are a primary component of cell membranes and hormones.  Together EPA and DHA aid in alleviating PCOS symptoms and improving fertility because they can help with hormone regulation and are anti-inflammatory.

Can’t I Get Omega-3s From My Food?

Yes and No.  There is a very important distinction between the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids found in most foods.

The oil found in many foods is called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). In order for our bodies to use it, ALA must go through a metabolic transformation before it is converted into final omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). This transformation is controlled by an enzyme called delta-6-desaturase (D6D).

Unfortunately, conditions such as elevated cholesterol, caffeine or alcohol consumption, saturated fat or trans-fat consumption, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and hormonal abnormalities, including stress hormones, insulin resistance, and hypothyroidism can inhibit the performance of the D6D enzyme and thus reduce the body’s ability to change ALA into EPA/DHA.

Women with PCOS almost certainly have one or more of these conditions.  As a result, our bodies are very inefficient at conversion and we have low levels of EPA/DHA.

Fish oil avoids this problem because it already contains EPA/DHA. No transformation is necessary, so no nutrients are lost.

Fish Oil is certainly an integral part of PCOS treatment. I encourage you to speak with your doctor and try adding high-quality fish oil such as PCOS Diva Ultra DHA Omega 3 Fish Oil to your diet.  You will be glad you did.

For More information, check out these studies:

1. Efficacy of omega-3 in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
2. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases liver fat content in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
3. The effect of omega-3 supplementation on androgen profile and menstrual status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in PCOS.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids improve glucose metabolism without effects on obesity values and serum visfatin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
5. Benefits of omega-3 Fatty acids supplementation on serum paraoxonase 1 activity and lipids ratios in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Amy Medling, the best-selling author of Healing PCOS and certified health coach, specializes in working with women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), who are frustrated and have lost all hope when the only solution their doctors offer is to lose weight, take a pill, and live with their symptoms. In response, Amy founded PCOS Diva and developed a proven protocol of supplements, diet, and lifestyle programs that offer women tools to help them gain control of their PCOS and regain their fertility, femininity, health, and happiness.