New study investigates black cumin seed oil in PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with irregular menstrual periods, infertility, obesity, diabetes, excess hair growth, acne, and other hormonal difficulties.

Pharmaceutical interventions provide some improvements, but they do not correct many of the underlying factors and have side effects and may not be tolerated by patients. Many patients with PCOS are overweight and have dietary habits that exacerbate their condition.

In a new study published last week in the Journal of Ovarian Research, researchers investigated the effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on PCOS symptoms and their severity in adolescents.

This was a randomized controlled trial consisting of 114 adolescents with PCOS. The participants were randomly assigned to either supplementation with Nigella sativa at 1000 mg per day or control (10 mg per day medroxyprogesterone from the 14th day of the cycle for 10 nights) groups. The duration of the study was over a 16-week period. Assessments included ovarian volume (measured by ultrasound), anthropometrics, blood pressure, serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), luteinizing hormone (LH), and hirsutism severity (Ferriman–Gallwey score) levels. These were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study.

As a result, the average difference in hirsutism score changes, ovarian volume, serum LH, and testosterone were significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group. In addition, the frequency of oligomenorrhea, menometrorrhagia, and amenorrhea, were significantly reduced after the study in the intervention group compared to the control group.

In conclusion, Nigella sativa supplementation may be effective in reducing ovarian volume, improving hormonal balance, and menstrual irregularities in adolescents with PCOS.

Other nutrients to consider to support PCOS:

Studies have shown that an inositol deficiency is common in women with PCOS. There appears to be a reduced ability to process, metabolize, and effectively use inositol from foods which is a distinctive characteristic feature of PCOS. As a result, the nutritional requirements of PCOS patients may not be met by a simple change in the diet and that inositol should be viewed as a conditionally essential nutrient in these women.

Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are both essential for patients with PCOS. The conversion of myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol is of interest because errors here have been strongly involved in PCOS patients. Strong evidence supports that the body makes D-chiro-inositol from myo-inositol and more evidence suggests that some people are less able to make this conversion than others. Along this spectrum, people who are completely unable to convert myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol are only going to benefit from supplementation with D-chiro-inositol. Other people who make the conversion, but with less-than-optimal efficiency, may benefit from large doses of myo-inositol. And other individuals in between, might see the best results from a blend of the two. Since this conversion is impaired in individuals with PCOS, it is important to always include D-chiro-inositol with myo-inositol supplementation. D-chiro-inositol is the more potent form of inositol for supporting insulin resistance, however, myo-inositol is need for oocyte quality and maturation. Therefore, supplementing with D-chiro-inositol alone cannot not fulfill myo-inositol’s roles that are specific and different from D-chiro-inositol, since it does not convert to myo-inositol.

Also, essential fatty acids should be consumed in our diets for overall health, but most individuals with insulin resistance are deficient. Fish oils improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.

By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS

Source: Mahmoudian A, et al. The possible short-term of Nigella sativa – L in the management of adolescent polycystic ovarian syndrome: results of a randomized controlled trial. J Ovarian Res. 2024 Jul 12;17(1):144. doi: 10.1186/s13048-024-01460-x.