Eating a Heavy Breakfast can Help Fight Infertility in Women

Researchers have observed that eating a heavy breakfast, full of calories can aid in tackling infertility in women. The study was done at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. They found that consuming more calories in the morning, rather than evening, increases fertility among women who suffer from menstrual irregularities.

The impact of meal times on health on women with menstrual irregularities due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) was examined in the study. Approximately 6-10 per cent of women of reproductive age suffer from PCOS which disrupts their reproductive abilities.

Affects of PCOS syndrome include resistance to insulin, increase in male sex hormones, menstrual irregularities, hair loss on the scalp, acne, future diabetes and fertility problems. 60 women over a 12-week period were observed at Wolfson Medical Center; they were from the ages of 25 to 39, had a BMI (Body Mass Index) of less than 23 and suffered from PCOS.

The participants were divided into two groups and were asked to consume 1800 calories per day. The difference was the timing of their largest meal. One group consumed their largest meal, approximately 980 calories, at breakfast, while the other at dinner. Researchers wanted to examine whether the schedule of calorie intake affects insulin resistance and the increase in androgens among women suffering from PCOS.

The group that consumed a big breakfast showed improved results. Glucose levels and insulin resistance decreased by 8 per cent, while the second group ("dinner") showed no changes. In addition, there was a much higher rate of ovulating woman within the "breakfast group" compared to the "dinner" group, showing that eating a hearty breakfast leads to an increase in the level of fertility among woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The study was published in the journal Clinical Science.

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