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Last reviewed: February 2026
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takes 3 minutes to complete00:00:02 Welcome to this video series on polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. My name is Julia Young and I'm a registered nutritional therapist specializing in fertility. In this video, I'm going to be discussing whether supplements can help support PCOS and if so, which ones you might want to consider. Now, if you've been diagnosed with PCOS or suspect you may have it, you've probably heard about supplements that might help. But with so many options out there, supplements that might help. But with so many options out there,
00:00:31 it can be overwhelming to figure out what's right for you. I'm going to guide you through some of the most commonly recommended supplements for PCOS and how they work, and why it's important to take a personalized approach. First things first, can supplements really help with PCOS? And the answer is it depends. PCOS affects each woman differently. So what works for one person might not work for another. It's really important to work might not work for another. It's really important to work
00:01:02 with a qualified professional who's trained in PCOS to help find the right supplements, brands and dosages for you. It's important to note that it's not always better to have more, and blindly buying supplements can be problematic. If you don't know what a supplement is doing in your body, it could actually be making things worse. So before you run out and buy supplements, I also want to emphasize it's really important to have a food first approach. Try to get as many nutrients as you
00:01:27 to have a food first approach. Try to get as many nutrients as you can from Whole Foods first, because no supplement can fix a poor diet. Having said that, our soils are depleted and sometimes our bodies may need a little extra support. So let's talk about some supplements that are commonly recommended for women with PCOS. So first of all, there's one called inositol or Myo-inositol. This is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in grains, fruits, and legumes. Inositol can improve insulin
00:01:57 in grains, fruits, and legumes. Inositol can improve insulin sensitivity and lower testosterone levels, making it a great option for women with PCOS who struggle with insulin resistance and hormone imbalance. Inositol is often recommended because it's been shown to improve menstrual regularity and even support ovulation. Next, let's talk about B vitamins, especially B12 and folate. These vitamins play a key role in allowing insulin receptors to function properly,
00:02:28 in allowing insulin receptors to function properly, and are crucial for hormone production and energy levels. You can find B vitamins in foods like meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs. Ensuring you get enough B vitamins can help improve insulin sensitivity, which is essential when managing PCOS. Now, vitamin D is another big one. Many women with PCOS are low in vitamin D, and here's why vitamin D is stored in fat tissue. So if you have a higher percentage of body fat, you may not be able
00:02:59 So if you have a higher percentage of body fat, you may not be able to utilize it as easily because it's bound up in fat tissue. Studies show that vitamin D can help improve insulin resistance and ovulation rates. Since vitamin D is so important, I always recommend getting tested to check your levels before taking a supplement. It's one of those cases where you shouldn't guess? You need to know where you're starting from. Then there's NAC or N-acetylcysteine.
00:03:30 NAC is a powerful antioxidant that can lower insulin, improve weight loss, and decrease free testosterone levels, and even improve ovulation. It's found naturally occurring in meat, fish, and legumes. NAC is a great option if you're struggling with insulin resistance and weight management related to PCOS. Another helpful supplement is chromium is a mineral that's essential essential for improving insulin sensitivity. Chromium can help reduce BMI and
00:03:56 improving insulin sensitivity. Chromium can help reduce BMI and fasting insulin, which in turn helps with sugar cravings. And we found find chromium in foods like broccoli, liver, potatoes, and whole grains. Now, one of my favorite supplements to recommend for PCOS is magnesium. It's an essential mineral that helps over 600 600 enzymes to work properly in the body, including those involved in insulin regulation. Magnesium is also incredibly important for relaxation and sleep, which can be a struggle for many
00:04:28 important for relaxation and sleep, which can be a struggle for many women with PCOS. You can find magnesium in leafy greens, especially dark leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. But if you're feeling tense, having trouble sleeping, or dealing with blood sugar issues, a magnesium supplement could be really helpful. And then you have omega three fatty acids, which are amazing for reducing inflammation in the body, which is often associated with in women with PCOS. You can find omega three seconds in
00:04:59 fatty fish like salmon, flax seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. fatty fish like salmon, flax seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. And if you're trying to conceive, I also recommend a good quality prenatal multivitamin. Many of the nutrients I've talked about, like folate, B12, and omega three seconds, are included in a high quality prenatal. It's a good way to ensure you're getting everything you need to support your fertility. Now, you might be wondering if there are any supplements you should avoid.
00:05:29 Well, it's important to be careful about taking low quality Well, it's important to be careful about taking low quality supplements or using the wrong dose. You also don't want to overload your body, because every supplement you take has to be processed by your liver. And that's why it's crucial to work with a practitioner who understands your individual needs and can personalize your supplement plan. And also, just because a supplement may have worked for your friend doesn't
00:05:55 mean it's the right one for you. Supplements are powerful, and they should be used thoughtfully. So remember, and they should be used thoughtfully. So remember, it's not about more being better. It's about finding the right balance for your body. So in summary, supplements can be incredibly helpful for women with PCOS, but they're not a magic fix. It's important to work with a professional, start with a food first approach, and use supplements as a supportive
00:06:19 tool to improve your overall health. Thanks so much for watching. If you'd like to know more. You're more than welcome to contact me via email info at Julia Young dot com or follow me on Instagram at me via email info at Julia Young dot com or follow me on Instagram at Julia Young. Nutrition. Thank you.
