1. +
Differential Effects of Walnuts vs Almonds on
Improving Metabolic and Endocrine Parameters in
PCOS
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2011; 65:386-393.
Brooke Beasley and Ruth Sullivan

2. +
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
 Signs and Symptoms
 Menstrual irregularities
 Infertility
 Masculinizing hormones - acne and hirsutism
 Fluid-filled ovarian cysts
 Metabolic Syndrome
 Insulin resistance
 Dyslipidemia
 Increased inflammation

3. +
Study Objective & Methods
 Compare the impact of
 MUFA in almonds to
 PUFA in Walnuts
 On metabolic and endocrine components of PCOS
 Randomized prospective study
 31 women participated
 Individual packets of nuts containing 31 g of fat
 46 grams almonds
 36 grams walnuts daily
 6 weeks

4. +
Data Collected
 Anthropometric
 Weight
 Height
 Sugar
 Insulin
 OGTT
 HgbA1C
 Dyslipedemia
 Total Cholesterol
 HDL
 TG
 Leptin
 Adiponectin
 Inflammatory Markers
 CRP
 TNF
 IL
 Masculinizing Hormones
 Total testosterone
 Sex hormone binding globulin
(SHBG)
 Free Androgen Index (FAI)

5. +
Significant Findings
 Walnuts reduced HgbA1C levels
 PUFAs stimulated insulin secretion
 Both walnuts and almonds increased adiponectin
 helps control insulin sensitivity
 Both decreased circulating androgen levels
 Walnuts increased SHBG
 Almonds decreased FAI

6. +
Strengths and Weaknesses
 Strength
 Well controlled re: compliance of nut intake
 Collected unused portions
 Weakness
 Small sample size: 31 individuals
 No control group with PCOS without nuts

7. +
Database Research on PCOS
The Natural Standard database:
 PCOS Treatment:
 Promote normal weight status
 High intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains
 No estrogen-rich food sources (tomatoes, nonorganic red
meat/dairy)
 Low carb
 High carb weight gain estrogen stored in fat cells
 High estrogen promotes ovarian cysts
*No reference regarding fat quantity/quality
http://www.naturalstandard.com/databases/conditions/condition-pcos.asp

8. +
Database Research on Metabolic
Syndrome
The Natural Standard Database News, December 2008:
“Eating a Mediterranean diet rich in nuts may
help reverse Metabolic Syndrome.”
http://www.naturalstandard.com/news/news200812017.asp

9. +
Our Treatment Strategy for PCOS
• Promote optimal body weight
• Low glycemic/anti-inflammatory diet
• Organic animal proteins
• MUFA and n-3 PUFA rich food sources (nuts)
• Liver support (cruciferous vegetables)
• Decrease phytoestrogens (soy) & caffeine
• Spearmint tea for hirsutism
• Reduce stress/toxic environmental exposure

10. +
In Conclusion
A general anti-inflammatory or
Mediterranean diet including MUFA and
PUFA rich almonds and walnuts appears
to be helpful in managing metabolic and
endocrine symptoms in PCOS.