Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the PCOS Diet

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a disorder that affects between 3-5% of women and is one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of reproductive age. It is also the leading cause of female infertility and prevent women from getting pregnant. The main symptoms are obesity, acne, insulin resistance, diabetes and irregular menstruation. Other symptoms are hair loss, increased body hair and depression. It is said that one in two women with PCOS are obese which enhances a number of the related symptoms.

PCOS is linked with being overweight or obese and successful weight loss is the most effective method to restore normal menstruation. Although this is the best way to improve the symptoms, women find it very hard to sustain or even achieve significant weight loss. Some experts recommend a low Glycemic Index Diet which involves the eating of fruit, vegetables and whole grain products to make up most of the carbohydrates the body needs.

The word is that the Strip That Fat diet is an excellent diet that sustains weight loss, but the PCOS Diet Book is specifically written for this condition. The PCOS Diet Book is not specifically designed for weight loss but more to maintain blood sugar levels. The book is based around a low Glycemic index diet which was developed by David J Jenkins who is a professor of nutrition at the University of Toronto.

The PCOS Diet Book also includes other information such as advice on supplements, natural medicines for specific PCOS symptoms and super-foods. There is also a part of the book for women that have PCOS and other related health problems such as type II diabetes, digestive disorders and thyroid problems.

The PCOS diet book should not be taken as a weight loss program, but as a guide to eating healthily. If you want to lose weight which would help with the affects of PCOS then it is recommended that you try the Strip That Fat program which leads the way in sustaining weight loss. A lot of myths are exposed by the developers of this book and it is explained in detail how some diets do not work and are plain bad for you, such as eating low carbohydrates or Atkins style diets, low fat diets, starvation diets, Hollywood diets and pre-packaged diet programs. Experts believe that 80% of dieting is the food you eat and 20% is exercise and most people already do enough exercise. This equates to people eating the wrong foods or eating in the wrong way, which means that anyone overweight is doing one or both of these.

By combining the knowledge from both the PCOS diet book and the Strip That Fat diet book you should have the formula needed to tackle the symptoms of PCOS and live a more normal life.

By Simon S James
Read PCOS or PCOD Medicines in Ayurveda

5 Realistic PCOS Natural Treatment Remedies

Women suffering from PCOS symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth, infertility, irregular periods and weight gain can attain profound changes through PCOSnatural treatment remedies.

PCOS orPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal disorder in which fluid-filled cysts develop on the ovaries. If an ultrasound is taken, numerous immature ova can be spotted, which are mistakenly referred to as cysts, and the ovaries appear enlarged.

The way of treating PCOS has changed as our understanding of how this hormone disorder has improved over the past couple of years. The root causes of PCOS are addressed by the natural treatment remedies of this difficult condition. The use of diet plan, supplements, herbal and lifestyle changes have helped many women see positive results.

Following are 5 realistic PCOS natural treatment remedies that can help alleviate this disorder.

PCOS Natural Treatment Remedy 1: The Best Diet for PCOS

Stabilizing blood sugar levels through a balance diet, including whole foods, is the key to treating PCOS naturally. Sugary foods should be banished. Insulin Resistance Syndrome can develop overtime as a result of too many rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.

Insulin Resistance Syndrome is a condition in which the body is not able to effectively control blood sugar levels and weight gain. In women suffering from PCOS, it is an underlying problem. In Insulin Resistance Syndrome, the body is also not able to use carbohydrates for energy and starts storing them as fat.

In order to follow the best PCOS diet, the following basic tips should be considered.

- Low GI carbohydrates should be balanced with sufficient protein.

- Phytoestrogens should be included in diet.

- Intake of saturated fats should be reduced.

- Dairy products should be avoided or limited.

- Additives, food chemicals and preservatives should be avoided.

- Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided.

- Sugar should be avoided.

- 2 liters of filtered water should be consumed daily.

- Essential fatty acids should be included in diet.

PCOS Natural Treatment Remedy 2: Supplements and PCOS

Many women lack important minerals and vitamins for hormone health. A great imbalance between numerous minerals and vitamins are created when oral contraceptive pills are taken for the regulation of periods. The root cause of PCOS can be treating by correcting this imbalance.

For PCOS, supplements with the following ingredients should be considered:

- Amino acids N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and L-arginine

- B Vitamins

- Chromium

- Co-enzyme Q10

- Diindolylmethane (DIM)

- Essential minerals

- Essential vitamins

- Magnesium

- Zinc

PCOS Natural Treatment Remedy 3: Herbs and PCOS

PCOS can be effectively treated using herbs. The addition of supplements and making changes help with balancing blood sugar levels and controlling weight while the problems related to hormone imbalance are targeted by herbs.

The following herbs should be considered:

- Chaste tree (Vitex Agnus castus): The function of the pituitary gland is stimulated and normalized by this herb to help treat infertility and PCOS.

- Peony and Licorice: The combination of these herbs can help regulate hormones like oestrogen and prolactin, improves LH to FSH ratio and reduces elevated levels of androgens like testosterone.

- Maca is an herb that can help cure PCOS symptoms like acne, hirsutism, irregular menstrual cycles and also insulin resistance.

- Gymnema is an herb that can help reduce sugar and carbohydrate cravings

- Tribulus is an herb that helps regulate ovulation and restore menstrual regularity.

- Blue Cohosh is an herb that acts as a pelvic anti-inflammatory and an ovarian and uterine tonic.

PCOS Natural Treatment Remedy 4: Other Natural PCOS Treatments

- Congestion can be reduced with the help of lymphatic drainage. Exercise like rebounding, massage and skin brushing should be tried.

- For pain relief, linseed and castor oil packs should be tried.

- The most appropriate homeopathic medicines for the treatment of PCOS can be obtained with a prescription from a naturopath or homeopath.

- Natural progesterone cream can be tried. The dose depends on the imbalances and symptoms.

- Acupuncture can also help treat PCOS. Some acupuncture points are used for breaking up stagnation, moving blood and stopping pain.

PCOS Natural Treatment Remedy 5: Exercise and PCOS

For women suffering from PCOS, fitness and insulin resistance can be improved by introducing a regular exercise program, and a healthy weight can also be maintained this way. Some exercises that can help treat PCOS and its symptoms include aerobics, cycling, Pilates, power-walking and swimming.

If you are suffering from PCOS, now is the time you empower yourself and try out these mentioned 5 realistic PCOS natural treatment remedies.

By Zeeshan Naveed Bari

Also Read Indian Home Remedies for PCOS

Pregnancy and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) causes your ovaries to act abnormally and leads to irregular or lack of menstrual periods, abnormal or absent ovulation, and therefore, infertility. PCOS is a common cause of infertility and occurs in about 5 to 10 percent of reproductive-age women. Symptoms of PCOS do not typically show up until after puberty, when menstruation begins. In some women, hormonal changes may begin as early as the very first menstrual cycle. In most women with PCOS, changes occur gradually, over time.

PCOS Symptoms:

o Increased body and facial hair

o Acne

o Darkened color of the skin along the neck, armpits, groin, and inner thighs

o Obesity

o Irregular menstrual periods or no periods

o Vaginal yeast infections

Pregnancy and PCOS

The circumstance that causes PCOS usually originates in your pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is considered your body's master gland because it triggers the release of hormones for your entire body. Instead of the normal reproductive hormonal balance, PCOS causes your hormones to become out of sync. PCOS also causes higher concentrations of male hormones (androgens or testosterone). The result of this complex hormonal imbalance is that ovulation occurs irregularly, if at all.

In a normal ovary with normal ovulation function, one follicle matures and an egg is released each month, and this corresponds to rising progesterone levels. In a polycystic ovary, there are many follicles, but they do not mature and, therefore, no egg is released. Because the eggs are not released, progesterone levels remain low and out of sync with the other hormone counterparts, androgen and estrogen. This results in irregular periods and continues the cycle of PCOS hormonal imbalance. In addition, many women with PCOS produce too much insulin or the insulin they produce doesn't work properly. Insulin is a hormone that controls your body's use of sugar (glucose) but also usually plays a role in PCOS. Insulin interrupts the normal growth of the follicle in the ovaries. The affected ovaries contain such a large number of immature egg follicles; that they become abnormally enlarged and function abnormally.

Causes of PCOS

Women with PCOS often have a family member with the condition. In fact, PCOS is considered a genetic disorder. This means that if you have PCOS, most likely you were born with the condition. Remember that PCOS might also be passed to your female children.

Diagnosing PCOS
To diagnose PCOS, your doctor will ask you questions about your health, your menstrual cycle, and your family history. The doctor will also perform a physical examination and order blood tests to check your hormone levels. If PCOS is suspected, a pelvic ultrasound may be performed to closely view your ovaries.

Treating PCOS

Treatment depends on your symptoms and your desire for pregnancy. A low carbohydrate diabetic diet along with regular exercise may be prescribed to lower your insulin levels. Additionally, research has shown that approximately 75 percent of women with PCOS respond well to fertility medication. In some cases, laparoscopic surgery is required to remove ovarian cysts that resulted from PCOS.

Women with PCOS should be aware of potential long-term health risks. They are at an increased risk of developing uterine cancer and are at risk of developing diabetes. PCOS has also been linked to heart disease, abnormal lipid profile and high blood pressure. Because of these increased health risks, women with PCOS should be evaluated carefully by their doctor on an annual or more frequent basis. PCOS is a condition that you are born with, so you can never truly be cured. However, with proper treatment, your symptoms can be relieved and you can live a healthy and normal life. Becoming pregnant is certainly possible but may require some advance planning and treatments to be determined between you and your doctor.

By - By Tehmina Mazher 

Also read  What are the Natural Home Remedies for PCOS or PCOD? An ayurveda view.