PCOS Diet

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) occurs in women of reproductive age and is identified by the complications of irregular menstruation or no menstruation at all. The cause is linked to the overproduction of some hormones which in turn causes multiple cysts in the ovaries. These hormones are known as androgens and an imbalance in hormonal levels leads to the symptoms of PCOS. Studies abound recommending that a healthy lifestyle combined with a specific PCOS diet may help to reduce the risks of medical concerns and manage the disease symptoms.

According to some advanced studies, one out of ten women experience this health condition in their childbearing age. Insulin levels are found high in all patients of PCOS. Most of the women with PCOS symptoms gain weight and their body to mass index (BMI) becomes higher than normal. Excessive hairiness and male pattern baldness are also common symptoms of PCOS. A few pieces of research suggest that PCOS can lead to some serious health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and depression. It can also increase the risks of endometrial cancer and other hormonal dysfunctions such as serious progesterone issues. Hormonal dysfunctions can result in an increased risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications. This article describes how a PCOS diet plan can help prevent PCOS.

Controlling Diet May Help Prevent PCOS

Insulin plays an important role in PCOS and insulin levels are significantly high in PCOS patients. So the best way to cope with the disease symptoms is to balance the insulin levels in the body. Check out the benefits of Berberine Complex which may help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. The production of insulin and other hormones depends upon our food intake. A healthy PCOS diet plan may help to reduce the risks of the disease by producing less insulin. Some patients produce a normal amount of insulin but have a health condition called insulin resistance. In this health condition, cells are unable to use insulin effectively and a relative increase in insulin levels happens that increases the risks of PCOS. A PCOS diet plan helps to ensure the balance of insulin levels in the body and reduces insulin resistance, which may help with the PCOS symptoms.

Diet for PCOS

PCOS manifests itself with various symptoms such as glucose deregulation, insulin resistance, and weight loss resistance. Many dieticians believe that altering the patient’s diet plan may help with disease management. A study was carried out to qualitatively assess the components of the diets of patients of PCOS as one of the major factors causing the disease. The research concluded that dietary mistakes are the main cause of metabolic disorders related to the improper function of ovaries. Moreover, some foods directly affect the insulin levels which may induce the production of testosterone; a male hormone.

Gynecologists avoid hormonal medications at the first stage of PCOS for the inherent side effects of modern drugs. Therefore, a proper and healthy diet is indispensable to fight the PCOS symptoms. Additionally, in other research, dietary management is essential in the female of childbearing age who may or may not suffer from PCOS.

What Is the Best Diet for PCOS?

Lifestyle management is recommended as the front-line treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. In a systematic review for investigating the dietary effect in the handling of PCOS, it was found that some specific diet compositions have different impacts on women’s health. Another research conducted on fifty-four women having PCOS symptoms proposed that nutritional errors played a pivotal role in developing PCOS symptoms. Hence, a balanced PCOS diet is required to fight the disease symptoms.

In the following paragraphs, we have attempted to answer the question ‘What is the best diet for PCOS?’ Normally, the best diet for PCOS will contain foods with high-fiber and lean protein content. Also, anti-inflammatory foods and spices, such as turmeric and tomatoes are considered helpful with PCOS symptoms. Foods which slow down the digestion and reduce the impact of sugar on blood are thought to help with insulin resistance and may be included in the PCOS diet. Moreover, for better results with the PCOS diet, it is imperative to avoid foods that contain a high content of refined carbohydrates. Low-inflammatory foods such as processed red meat are discouraged for PCOS patients. Low glycemic index vegetables are also recommended to be included in the PCOS diet.

What Foods Should Be Added to the PCOS Diet Plan?

PCOS diet mostly contains an excess of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprout, and cauliflower. These vegetables have an anti-inflammatory effect and have high fiber content. Eating these vegetables daily may help to reduce the impact of sugar on the blood and enhance the insulin balance in the body. Beyond Fertility recommends Blood Sugar Complex to help you fight insulin resistance naturally. Furthermore, cruciferous vegetables may help to combat insulin resistance by slowing down the digestion and reducing the glycemic impact on the blood. This may be helpful for women with PCOS symptoms. Some other high-fiber food options to obtain an effective diet plan for PCOS include green lettuce, green pepper, beans and lentils, berries and sweet potatoes.

One of the best apps we have found is called Nutritionix which will allow you to keep track of what you eat and help you to make the best fiber, carbohydrate and protein choices. It even creates a daily nutrition label of what you ate that day, allows you to add your weight and even how much water you drank.

Studies suggest that a low-carbohydrate diet improves endocrine and reproductive functions. Also, a low-carbohydrate PCOS-diet may help to reduce weight, which is an important part of PCOS symptoms management. Lean protein foods like chicken, fish, and tofu may not provide high-fibers but are very useful dietary alternates for women with PCOS. A few studies recommend that fruits with anti-inflammatory properties such as blueberry and strawberry along with olive oil and spinach may help greatly in countering PCOS related symptoms.

Does It Make Sense to Use Progesterone Cream for PCOS?

As discussed before, hormonal imbalance is a major cause of PCOS. Studies have shown that progesterone cream may also help regulate symptoms of PCOS in addition to helping with medical conditions such as menopause and perimenopause. The truth is that endocrine-disrupting substances in our environment, food intake, and other products we use on a daily basis have increased the risk of PCOS and endometriosis. Underage girls are reaching puberty much earlier, which puts them at greater risk of developing PCOS and other hormonal diseases.

Bio-identical progesterone creams may help in creating a hormonal balance in women of almost all ages. Multiple cysts in ovaries are produced due to a lack of ovulation caused by decreased progesterone levels and excess cyst proliferating estrogens. USP Progesterone cream is identical to the hormone produced by the body which makes it safe for use and gives positive health benefits. Insulin levels are also affected by the hormone imbalance and if estrogen level dominates over the progesterone quantity in the body, an excess amount of insulin is released which causes the PCOS. So, progesterone cream for PCOS is thought to be helpful to maintain hormonal balance and possibly reduce the risks of PCOS.