Vitamin B₃ (niacin), B₆, C, and iron intake are associated with the free androgen index, especially in normoandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Nutritional intake is one of the most common environmental risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because it is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between micronutrient intake and androgen levels associated with PCOS. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in patients with PCOS divided into two groups, normoandrogenic (NA) and hyperandrogenic (HA), and healthy controls. Dietary intake assessment was performed using a modified 38-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Bivariate, correlation, and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between study variables. Results: There were 79 patients with PCOS, of whom 50 were NA and 29 were HA. There were 66 subjects in the healthy control group. The baseline characteristics in all groups were similar, except for body mass index and hormonal profile which were elevated in the HA group compared to the other groups. There was a significant negative correlation between the free androgen index (FAI) and intake of vitamin B 1 , vitamin B 2 , niacin, vitamin B 6 , calcium, and iron in the NA group, while this association was absent in the HA group. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the intake of vitamin B 6 , vitamin C, niacin, and iron had a significant effect on the FAI. Conclusion: There is an effect of micronutrient intake on androgen levels in women with PCOS. The association was more significant in NA PCOS than in the HA PCOS groups. These findings suggest an association between micronutrients, androgens and PCOS at a systemic level.

Association between serum levels of calcium, magnesium, iron and copper and insulin resistance in women with full blown and not-full blown phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

“…Either serum Ca showed positive correlation with serum Fe and Cu in group Y. The influence of Mg, Fe and Ca levels on pathology of PCOS remains unclear [32]. In many articles level of Mg and Fe was slightly higher or elevated in women with PCOS and Ca was reduced [30,33,34].…”

The potential effects of magnesium, chromium, vitamin C, and metformin on inflammatory, hormonal, and metabolic factors of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

“…Studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation can have protective effects against PCOS-related ovarian pathophysiology, reduce oxidative stress markers, cytokines, and estrogen levels, and increase antioxidant and metabolic enzymes[70]. Combined intake of vitamin C with other nutrients like Vitamin B3 (niacin), B6, and iron has also been associated with improvements in the free androgen index in normoandrogenic PCOS[71]. Co-supplementation of vitamin C with Actaea racemosa (Black cohosh) plant extract has shown bene cial impacts on antioxidant status, hormonal pro le, lipid pro le,…”