What MPOS is, and how the formula addresses it
MPOS (Metabolic Polyendocrine Ovarian Syndrome) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. It is the new official name for what, until May 2026, was known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The change, agreed internationally and published in The Lancet, better reflects the fact that the condition affects hormones, metabolism and general health, not just the ovaries. Both names will be in use side by side over the next few years.
It is typically associated with irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance and an excess of androgens that can show up as acne, hirsutism or difficulty ovulating. That is why the PCOS Zen formula works on all three of its dimensions at the same time: hormonal, metabolic and reproductive. And it is why we have reformulated it in line with the most recent scientific evidence. There are two main changes:
- The Myo-Inositol to D-Chiro-Inositol ratio moves from 40:1 to 105:1.
- Berberine is now in liposomal form.
Below we explain the reasoning behind each one, and what every active does.
Inositols: the heart of the formula
Inositol is a molecule found naturally in the body and in many foods. Two of its forms matter for ovarian health:
- Myo-Inositol (MI): involved in FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) signalling inside the ovary. In other words, it is key to proper follicle maturation and to ovarian hormonal balance.
- D-Chiro-Inositol (DCI): mainly involved in insulin signalling in peripheral tissues such as muscle, liver and fat tissue.
Both are useful, but they do different jobs. That difference is exactly what drives the new ratio.
Why 105:1
The 40:1 ratio became popular because it is the proportion of Myo-Inositol to D-Chiro-Inositol found in the blood plasma of a healthy person. For years it was assumed to be the reference ratio for any supplement.
Research over the past few years has qualified that idea: every tissue has its own inositol balance, and plasma is not the ovary. In ovarian tissue the proportion is in fact around 100:1, meaning a great deal of Myo-Inositol and a very small amount of D-Chiro-Inositol [1].
Why does that matter? Because the ovary is an organ in which Myo-Inositol needs to clearly predominate. A relative excess of D-Chiro-Inositol in the ovary brings no added benefit and, on the available evidence, may be counterproductive for ovarian function and androgen balance [1][2].
At 105:1 we come far closer to that natural ovarian proportion. It also sits between two scenarios science has already studied with good results: Myo-Inositol on its own, and Myo-Inositol + D-Chiro-Inositol in the classic proportions [2][4]. In practice, that means maximising the component that matters most for ovarian function (Myo-Inositol) while keeping a small amount of D-Chiro-Inositol for its metabolic role.
Put simply: more of what the ovary needs, and less of what it does not.
Berberine, in liposomal form
Berberine is a plant compound that has been studied extensively in the context of MPOS. It helps improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profile, and acts as a GLP-1 agonist [3]. That makes it an important ally on the metabolic side of the formula.
Conventional berberine has a twofold drawback:
- Its bioavailability is very low, so a large part of the dose is never absorbed.
- That unabsorbed fraction stays in the gut, and is the main reason for the digestive discomfort (nausea, above all) that some people experience when taking it.
The liposomal form tackles both issues at once. Encapsulating berberine in liposomes improves its absorption and, by reducing the amount of free berberine left in the gut, it also improves digestive tolerance. The result is a formula that keeps the metabolic effect we are after while being far more comfortable to take.
The rest of the formula, active by active
PCOS Zen is more than inositols and berberine. The formula includes micronutrients chosen for their role in hormone metabolism, glucose regulation and fertility:
- Zinc: contributes to normal fertility, to normal carbohydrate metabolism and to the normal function of the immune system [5].
- Vitamin B6: contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and to normal energy-yielding metabolism [6].
- Vitamin B9 (calcium L-methylfolate): contributes to the process of cell division and to normal psychological function. We use the methylated form, which the body can use directly [7].
- Selenium: contributes to normal thyroid function and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress [8].
- Chromium: contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels by supporting the action of insulin [9].
- Vitamin D3: contributes to bone and muscle health (including the uterine muscle) and to the normal function of the immune system [10].
- Vitamin B12: essential for red blood cell formation, cell metabolism and the nervous system [7].
Taken together, these 10 ingredients act on all three dimensions of MPOS: hormonal, metabolic and reproductive.
PCOS Zen is a food supplement and is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking glucose-lowering medication or living with any health condition, speak to your healthcare professional before starting.
References
Change of nomenclature from PCOS to MPOS: international consensus published in The Lancet (May 2026), endorsed by 56 scientific and patient organisations and by the World Health Organization.
[1] Unfer, V., Dinicola, S., Laganà, A. S., & Bizzarri, M. (2020). Altered Ovarian Inositol Ratios May Account for Pathological Steroidogenesis in PCOS. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(19), 7157. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197157
[2] Lete, I., Martínez, A., Lasaga, I., Centurión, E., & Vesga, A. (2024). Update on the combination of myo-inositol/d-chiro-inositol for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecological Endocrinology. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2023.2301554
[3] Jurgiel, J., Graniak, A., Opyd, P., Zawodny, T., & Lis, M. (2024). The role of berberine in polycystic ovary syndrome, a summary of knowledge. Ginekologia Polska, 95(4), 276-284. https://doi.org/10.5603/gpl.95138
[4] Kachhawa, G., Senthil Kumar, K. V., Kulshrestha, V., Khadgawat, R., Mahey, R., & Bhatla, N. (2022). Efficacy of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol combination on menstrual cycle regulation and improving insulin resistance in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized open-label study. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 158(2), 278-284. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13971
[5] Dhar, S., Yadav, R., & Tomar, A. (2024). Serum Zinc Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are Lower as Compared to Those without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Cohort Study. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 17(1), 25-32. https://doi.org/10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_8_24
[6] Jovanovic, F., Sudhakar, A., & Knezevic, N. N. (2022). The Kynurenine Pathway and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Inflammation as a Common Denominator. International Journal of Tryptophan Research, 15, 11786469221099214. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786469221099214
[7] Carrasco-Cabezas, M., Assmann, T. S., Martínez, P., Cerpa, L., Calfunao, S., Echiburú, B., Maliqueo, M., Crisosto, N., & Salas-Pérez, F. (2024). Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Chilean Women with PCOS and Their Association with Metabolic Outcomes. Nutrients, 16(12), 1937. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121937
[8] Zhao, J., Dong, L., Lin, Z., Chen, L., & Li, Z. (2023). Effects of selenium supplementation on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 23(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-023-01286-6
[9] Hamsho, M., et al. (2025). Therapeutic effects of chromium supplementation on women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endinu.2025.501578
[10] Kazeminia, M., et al. (2024). The effect of vitamin D on the hormonal profile of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 29, 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-024-00201-w
