Women's Health Week: PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Good Morning!

 

Women's Health Week: PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

 

PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) is an endocrine disorder that is the most

common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age and is a leading cause

of infertility. It occurs among all races and nationalities. The primary

features are lack of regular ovulation and irregular or absent periods. There is

also an excessive amounts or effects of androgenic hormones. The symptoms and

severity of the

syndrome vary greatly between women. While the causes are unknown, insulin

resistance (often secondary to obesity) is heavily correlated with PCOS.

 

Other symptoms may include acne, weight gain (but not always) or have trouble

losing weight, male pattern baldness or thinning hair on the scalp, hair growth

on the face, back, or chest or sometimes high

blood sugar (hyperglycemia). About half of women with PCOS have high insulin and

blood sugar levels called insulin resistance. When the body doesn't use insulin

well, blood sugar builds to high levels. If not treated, this can lead to

diabetes. High cholesterol levels is also common with PCOS.

 

In PCOS, there are multiple cysts in the ovaries, which are actually small,

undeveloped follicles that have had their growth stunted. The cysts, as well as

the connective tissue around them produce male hormones called androgens.

Androgens are then released into the blood stream and alter the feedback within

the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPO axis). The amount of estogen then

increases in relation to progesterone causing an increase in testosterone and

Luteinizing hormone (LH).

 

 

Treating PCOS

 

The two most important key factors that any woman could do to lower her risk of

PCOS is to eat heart-healthy, low glycemic foods, along with regular exercise.

 

Foods to Avoid:

 

-Cut out all forms of refined sugar

 

-Cut out all refined (simple) carbohydrates. Follow the Full Spectrum Diet. This

says to cut out all white foods, which include all white bread, rice, pasta, low

fiber foods, most breakfast cereals and rice cakes.

 

-Reduce animal products and fats

 

-Avoid all soda, fruit juice and sugary drinks

 

-Avoid milk and dairy products

 

-Avoid alcohol and caffeine

 

-Avoid fertility diets that suggest you eat large amounts of yams. This is not

appropriate for PCOS

 

-Reduce the intake of oily, fried, and sugary foods, fried snacks and fast foods

 

-Do not miss meals; and do not starve in terms of total quantity of food

 

 

Foods You Should Eat:

 

-Eat adequate amounts of protein

 

-Eat as much fresh vegetables as you can

 

-Eat foods, which nourish the liver such as dark green vegetables, lemons,

carrots and beets

 

-Eat fruit light in sugar and sweetness such as berries

 

-Eat complex carbohydrates (lower glycemic carbohydrates), which tend to have

more fiber such as bran cereal, brown rice, whole wheat, whole-grains and nuts

and grains like quinoa, whole oats, and bulgur.

 

These foods help women with PCOS to maintain steady blood sugar and insulin

levels and may assist in weight loss. A diet composed of mainly low-GI foods

will also help to combat the effects of insulin resistance.

 

 

Supplements and Herbs

 

-Chlorophyl helps reduce symptoms of hypoglycemia without raising blood glucose

levels

 

-Include supplements that help improve insulin resistance such as B vitamins,

magnesium, alpha lipoic acid and chromium. Chromium increases the sensitivity of

insulin receptors. Recommended dosage is 300 micrograms/day.

 

-Essential fatty acids, including flax oil, evening primrose oil (Oenothera

biennis), and black currant oil, act as anti-inflammatory and hormonal

regulators.

 

-Supplementation with antioxidants, including zinc, and vitamins A, E, and C, is

also recommended.

 

-Western herbal medicine uses phytoestrogen and phytoprogesteronic herbs, such

as blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) and false unicorn root (Chamaelirium

luteum), as well as liver herbs, like dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum), to work

toward hormonal balance.

 

-Acupuncture works on the body's energy flow according to the meridian system.

Chinese herbs, such as gui zhi fu ling wan, can be effective.

 

-In naturopathic medicine, treatment focuses on helping the liver function more

optimally in the hormonal balancing process.

 

-Exercise is the second most important key to PCOS. Exercise helps the body's

cells use glucose as energy, reducing blood glucose levels. A structured

exercise plan can help the body use insulin more efficiently and gradually

reduce insulin levels. Regular exercise also improves circulation, reduces blood

pressure, increases levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), your good

cholesterol and helps with weight loss.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

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