Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at high cardiometabolic risk. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) strongly predicts atherosclerosis. Some studies suggest that probiotic intake may lower AIP. This study analysed the relationship between the frequency of dietary intake of low glycaemic index (prebiotic) and probiotic foods and atherosclerosis risk in women with PCOS.
Methods: A total of 127 women were divided into two groups: AIP over 0.11 (highAIP) and AIP ≤ 0.11 (lowAIP). The KomPAN® questionnaire was used to measure food frequency intake; pro-healthy, non-healthy, low glycaemic and probiotic dietary indexes were calculated based on daily food consumption. Body composition was measured by air displacement plethysmography (BodPod). AIP was calculated as a logarithm of triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins from plasma.
Results: The highAIP group was 63% less likely to consume low glycaemic index foods three or more times a day than the lowAIP group. The HighAIP group was also 62% less likely to consume buckwheat, oats, whole-grain pasta or coarse-ground grains at least a few times a week. Pro-healthy foods tended to be less frequently consumed by the highAIP group, when adjusted for BMI and age.
Conclusion: Women with PCOS at high risk of atherosclerosis consumed less low glycaemic index foods than women with a low risk of atherosclerosis. Intake of high-fibre, low glycaemic index foods could prevent atherosclerosis in women with PCOS; however, the effect of probiotic food intake remains unclear.
Keywords: AIP; BodPod; atherosclerosis; body composition; diet quality; frequency intake.