The impact of a standardized micronutrient supplementation on PCOS-typical parameters: a randomized controlled trial

PurposeTo evaluate whether a micronutrient supplementation preparation that includes a high amount of omega-3 unsaturated acids, other anti-oxidants and co-enzyme Q10 would have an impact on specific serum parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsThe study was designed as a monocentral, randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial, from June 2017 to March 2018 (Clinical Trials ID: NCT03306745). Sixty women with PCOS were assigned to either the multinutrient supplementation group (one unlabeled soft capsule containing omega-3 fatty acids and one unlabeled tablet containing folic acid, selenium, vitamin E, catechin, glycyrrhizin, and co-enzyme Q10, for 3months) or the control group (two unlabeled soft capsules containing 200g folic acid each, for 3months). The main outcome parameters were anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), total testosterone, and androstenedione. In addition, the focus was on luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the LH:FSH ratio, sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and estradiol.ResultsIn the multinutrient supplementation group, the LH:FSH ratio (2.51.1 versus 1.9 +/- 0.5, p=0.001), testosterone (0.50 +/- 0.19 versus 0.43 +/- 0.15, p=0.001), and AMH (8.2 +/- 4.2 versus 7.3 +/- 3.6, p<0.001) declined significantly, whereas the other parameters, namely estradiol, LH, FSH, androstenedione, and SHBG remained stable.Conclusion A micronutrient supplementation that includes omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, selenium, vitamin E, catechin, glycyrrhizin, and co-enzyme Q10, given for a minimum of 3months, is beneficial for women with PCOS in terms of PCOS-specific parameters (LH:FSH ratio, serum testosterone and serum AMH).