Around 10% of women of childbearing age suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition which results in small cysts growing on the ovaries and releasing hormones. Normally, women who suffer from this condition lead a normal life without any visible symptoms. However, there are some women who have some very visible symptoms, such as male-line hair growth and obesity. As well as all these noticeable symptoms, PCOS puts women at a higher risk of suffering from diabetes, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer.
Even if you have a bad case of PCOS, there are various ways you can manage the illness with certain lifestyle choices. Most of these are to do with your diet. Interested to find out more? Read on!
Watch Your Insulin Levels
PCOS makes is slightly harder for the body to correctly regulate insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that controls the amount of sugar in the blood. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, the body struggles to control blood sugar levels. This also occurs with women who have PCOS as it makes them more resistant to insulin. One way to prevent this from becoming a problem is by reducing the amount of carbohydrates and refined foods in your diet.
Eat More High-Fibre Foods
As you won’t be eating as many carbohydrates, you will need to eat more protein and vegetables as a source of energy. You can always give your protein levels a boost by using protein powder to make protein shakes. It’s also important to add as many high-fibre foods to your diet as well as these can help to reduce insulin resistance. They do that by slowing down the whole digestive process and stops sugar having too much of an impact on the blood. Some very high-fibre foods include sweet potatoes, beans, and lentils.
Cut Out Refined Carbs
I’ve already mentioned that refined carbohydrates and sugary foods are bad for the body’s insulin levels, and now it’s time to look at that a bit more closely. As well as messing with the blood’s sugar levels, they can also cause inflammation in the body. Most high-carb foods are also very low in fibre and have limited nutritional content. Foods to watch out for are white pasta, white bread, and sugary desserts.
Become Proactive
PCOS responds well to positive lifestyle changes, so it is important that you always try to choose the best option when faced with lifestyle decisions. Lots of women find that being productive when it comes to exercise can really pay off as it can prevent some symptoms. For instance, working out can help with weight loss which is an effective way to control insulin resistance. Some also find that stress-reducing techniques such as Yoga and mindfulness can help combat the stress that often comes from experiencing the symptoms of PCOS.
Hopefully, this blog post has given you plenty of tips that can help you live with PCOS. If you need any further tips, ask your doctor for more information.