Evaluation of Effect of Seed Cycling on Anthropometric, Biochemical, Hormonal and Nutritional Parameters in the Women Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – A Cohort Interventional Study Design

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder of reproductive age group in women and is characterized by obesity, hyper-insulinemia, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Seed cycling has emerged as a potential treatment modality for managing PCOS symptoms. Methods: A total of 290 women diagnosed with PCOS, aged 18-40, and were enrolled in this study after meeting specific eligibility criteria. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (n=145) and an intervention group (n=145). The control group received a portion-controlled diet along with a daily dose of Metformin 500 mg for 12 weeks. The intervention group followed the same diet but incorporated seed cycling into their regimen. Assessments, including anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses, hormonal evaluations, and nutritional assessments, were conducted at baseline and after the 12-week treatment period. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare outcomes between the two groups before and after treatment, with significance determined at p<0.05. Results: The majority of participants were aged 26-30 years (46.90%), with 60% being non-vegetarian. Among them, 36% were employed, and 14% engaged in physical activity. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters compared to the control group. Notably, there was a decrease in mean energy consumption, carbohydrate intake, and fat intake in the intervention group, while mean protein intake remained unchanged between the groups after 12 weeks. These improvements were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that women with PCOS showed substantial improvements in anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal profiles following seed cycling therapy combined with dietary modifications. This suggests that seed cycling, along with a portion-controlled diet, can be an effective strategy for managing PCOS symptoms.