What is the connection between Insulin Resistance and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)? The National Institutes of Health defines PCOS as“a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman’s female sex hormones.” This imbalance of hormones causes changes in menstrual cycle or skin; it also may cause a woman to have trouble getting pregnant or cause small cysts in the ovaries as well as other complications.
Insulin resistance is a condition that leads to the release of more and more insulin in the body. Women’s bodies respond to high insulin levels in the blood by producing more testosterone and other male hormones. This causes problems such as infertility, excessive hair growth, male pattern baldness, and acne. It may also lead to higher cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart attacks.
Insulin Resistance-related obesity is a root cause of PCOS. Women who have Insulin Resistance PCOS are likely to be overweight and therefore more likely to develop type-2 diabetes. PCOS Insulin Resistance also heightens the risk of developing pre-diabetes. Other risk factors include cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, and endometrial cancer (PCOS.insulitelabs.com, 2012).
PCOS and Insulin Resistance Diet
Weight gain is a major issue for people with Insulin Resistance in PCOS. The good news is by making slight lifestyle changes Insulin Resistance and PCOS can be entirely reversed. There are not any rules which specify a PCOS and Insulin Resistance Diet. However, there are some very good guidelines that a person can follow to prevent further complications.
Many people commonly make the mistake of following diet plans that promise dramatic results. Usually when these types of diets are take on they are difficult to maintain, and they usually have little or no scientific data backing them up. Many people have tried low-carb diets to help with the PCOS with Insulin Resistance, but this type of diet is often high in fats and saturated fats that can increase your risk of heart disease overtime. Low fat diets usually cause people to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, and this causes insulin levels to become elevated.
The only real way to lose weight and maintain good health is through good nutrition and regular exercise. Eating the right foods may cause you to lose weight more slowly, but changing the way you eat all-together will yield long term and consistent results. Cut back on simple carbohydrates like white sugar, rice, potatoes, and pasta. Add complex grains as well as foots with health benefits such as fiber and antioxidants (PCOS.about.com, 2012).
