Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care benefits. Recently, it has gained popularity as a potential natural treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by irregular or absent menstrual periods, increased levels of male hormones (androgens), ovarian cysts, difficulty getting pregnant, and symptoms like excess hair growth, acne, and weight gain. While the exact cause is unknown, insulin resistance and inflammation appear to play a role.
There is no cure for PCOS, but medications like birth control pills and anti-androgens can help manage symptoms. Lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise are also recommended. Many women are interested in complementary approaches as well, like various herbs and supplements. Proponents suggest that aloe vera may help with PCOS by:
– Reducing inflammation
– Improving insulin sensitivity
– Balancing hormones
– Facilitating weight loss
– Minimizing PCOS symptoms
But does scientific evidence actually support the use of aloe vera for PCOS? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera, sometimes described as a “miracle plant,” is a succulent plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family. It thrives in warm climates and has thick, spiky, and fleshy green leaves. When one of the leaves is cut open, it oozes a clear gel that contains the biologically active compounds in aloe vera.
This clear gel has been used for centuries for a wide range of traditional medicinal purposes, including treatment of wounds, burns, frostbite, constipation, skin conditions, and more. The ancient Egyptians referred to aloe vera as the “plant of immortality.”
Aloe also contains latex, a yellow substance found in the inner lining of the leaves. When aloe latex is removed, the remaining gel is what is generally used in cosmetics, medicines, and dietary supplements.
The biologically active compounds found in aloe vera gel include:
– Vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6, choline, folic acid
– Minerals: zinc, chromium, calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper
– Enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lipase, oxidase, catalase
– Anthraquinones: aloin, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, rhein
– Fatty acids: cholesterol, beta-sitosterol, triglycerides
– Amino acids: 20 out of 22 required for human nutrition
– Sugars: glucose, mannose
– Phytosterols
– Lignins
– Salicylic acid
– Saponins
Many components in aloe vera gel have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. The anthraquinones in particular give aloe vera its natural laxative effects. The combination of nutrients allows aloe vera to help heal wounds, treat burns and skin conditions, moisturize skin and hair, and relieve constipation when consumed orally.
Many of these beneficial compounds may also be helpful for PCOS symptoms – let’s explore the evidence behind using aloe vera for PCOS next.
What Does Research Say About Using Aloe Vera for PCOS?
There are a handful of scientific studies that have specifically examined aloe vera’s effects on PCOS:
A 2019 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in Phytomedicine looked at the effects of aloe vera on metabolic status in women with PCOS. 50 women with PCOS took either oral aloe vera capsules (400 mg twice daily) or placebo capsules for 12 weeks.
The women who took aloe vera had significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance scores, and LDL cholesterol compared to placebo. They also had slight improvements in HDL cholesterol and the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol. The researchers concluded that aloe vera could be a useful supplement for improving metabolic profile in women with PCOS.
Another study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2015 evaluated using aloe vera gel complexed with myrrh and licorice extracts on PCOS. 50 women with PCOS took an oral capsule containing the aloe vera combination twice daily for 3 months.
At the end of the study, the women taking the aloe vera combination had significant improvements in ovary size and the number of ovarian cysts. They also had regulation of menstrual cycles and normalization of hormone levels (testosterone, estradiol, prolactin). Improvements were seen in cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL levels as well. The researchers concluded that the aloe vera complex was an effective complementary approach for PCOS.
A small 8-week study in 2010 gave 14 women with PCOS either aloe vera gel or placebo. The seven women taking aloe vera had significant decreases in fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, testosterone levels, and BMI by the end of the study. Their glutathione, SOD, and catalase levels increased, indicating improvements in antioxidant status. This study provides evidence that aloe vera gel may be beneficial for both metabolic and hormonal parameters in PCOS.
Overall, the handful of studies conducted specifically on aloe vera and PCOS have found promising results – aloe vera may be helpful for balancing blood sugar and insulin, improving cholesterol levels, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, regulating hormones, facilitating weight loss, and decreasing the number of ovarian cysts. Larger scale studies are still needed to confirm these benefits.
How Might Aloe Vera Improve PCOS Symptoms?
Researchers hypothesize a few key mechanisms that may explain how aloe vera works to alleviate PCOS:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Chronic low-grade inflammation appears to be involved in the development of insulin resistance and PCOS in women who are genetically predisposed. Compounds in aloe vera like vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and anthraquinones all help reduce inflammation. This anti-inflammatory action may lower insulin resistance and improve the underlying metabolic abnormalities in PCOS.
Insulin-Sensitizing Properties
Insulin resistance is thought to be one of the main drivers of PCOS. By improving cells’ sensitivity to insulin and helping glucose enter cells, aloe vera may help moderate blood sugar levels. Balancing insulin signaling and glycemic control could reduce the severity of many PCOS signs and symptoms.
Antioxidant Capacity
Oxidative stress is elevated in women with PCOS. The vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and anthraquinones in aloe vera all demonstrate antioxidant capacities, neutralizing free radicals and oxidative damage. This may attenuate the oxidative stress that exacerbates insulin resistance and worsens reproductive and metabolic functioning.
Androgen-Lowering Effects
Aloe vera may help modulate androgens like testosterone that are often elevated in PCOS. Reducing excessive testosterone can alleviate symptoms like unwanted hair growth, hair loss, acne, and irregular menses. The mechanisms behind aloe’s antiandrogenic effects are not fully understood yet though.
Weight Loss Promotion
Women with PCOS frequently struggle with weight management which can worsen hormone imbalances and metabolic issues. Some research has found aloe vera supplements may potentially stimulate weight loss, although the evidence is limited currently. Losing weight could improve PCOS symptoms like insulin resistance.
These wide-ranging actions of aloe vera gel compounds may synergistically target several underlying issues in PCOS – chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, hormone imbalance, obesity and more. Further research is still needed though to clarify aloe vera’s mechanisms and effects on PCOS.
Are There Any Side Effects or Precautions With Using Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera gel, when appropriately processed from the inner leaf pulp, is likely safe for most people when applied topically or taken by mouth in moderate amounts. The FDA has approved aloe vera as a natural flavoring and skin protectant ingredient. Topical aloe vera creams, gels, and ointments are widely used for skin conditions, wounds, and sunburns. Oral intake of aloe vera latex or Improperly processed leaf gel may be unsafe though and cause adverse effects like:
– Diarrhea and abdominal cramping – Aloe vera latex has laxative effects due to the compound anthraquinone. Excess intake can cause diarrhea.
– Electrolyte imbalances – Diarrhea can lead to loss of fluids and electrolytes like potassium.
– Drug interactions – Aloe vera may strengthen the effects of prescription diabetes medications and have additive blood sugar lowering effects if taken together. Consult your physician before using aloe vera supplements if you take any medications or have any medical conditions.
– Allergic reactions – Some people are allergic to aloe vera, especially those allergic to garlic, onions, or tulips. Discontinue use if any hypersensitivity reactions occur.
– Unsafe ingredients – Aloe vera supplements may potentially contain additional herbs, fillers, thickeners or preservatives that cause issues for some individuals. Check the ingredients label and consult your doctor before taking any aloe vera product. Only purchase reputable brands that adhere to quality control standards.
As long as appropriate aloe vera gel products are used as directed, adverse effects are uncommon in research studies. But talk to your doctor before taking aloe vera supplements if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any ongoing health concerns.
Conclusion
Based on the current evidence, aloe vera shows promising potential as a complementary therapy to help manage PCOS symptoms. The biologically active compounds in aloe vera appear to improve several facets underlying PCOS like insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone imbalance, and obesity.
Small studies report benefits specifically for metabolic parameters like glucose, insulin, cholesterol, antioxidant status, and androgens in women with PCOS. Improvements in ovarian cysts, menstrual regularity, and fertility markers have been observed as well. Larger controlled studies are still needed to confirm these results though.
Aloe vera is unlikely to directly cure PCOS. But when used as part of a holistic treatment plan including diet, exercise, stress management, targeted supplements and medications, aloe vera may provide additional support by optimizing insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation and androgens, facilitating weight loss, and regulating menstruation.
Always consult your physician before trying new supplements like aloe vera to discuss proper dosage, optimal preparation methods, and potential contraindications with any medications you take. But aloe vera is a generally safe, accessible, and cost-effective natural agent that may offer a helpful complementary approach for managing polycystic ovary syndrome.
References
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