A recent randomized controlled trial looked at how a combination of dietary changes and Tai Chi affects young women with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study followed 120 female college students in China for six months. One group followed a dietary plan alone, while the other group used the diet plus 60 minutes of simplified Tai Chi five times per week.
The researchers found that the group doing both Tai Chi and dietary changes saw improvements in several areas. These included better lifestyle scores, lower BMI, shorter menstrual cycles, and a greater reduction in testosterone levels.
It is important to note that these findings are preliminary. Because the study did not compare Tai Chi to a different type of exercise, researchers cannot say if the benefits came specifically from Tai Chi or just from increased physical activity. Additionally, some of the reported benefits in the exercise category might be due to how the lifestyle scores were measured.
While these results are encouraging for managing PCOS through lifestyle, more research is needed to confirm these specific benefits.