I've been pulling together signs and symptoms of PCOS:
- Absent periods
- Irregular and/or painful menstrual cycles
- Weight gain
- Anovulatory cycles
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Mood disorder
- Hair loss or thinning
- Excessive body hair
- Acne or oily skin
- History of ovarian cysts
- Stomach issues with dairy
- Obesity
- Fertility problems
- Recurrent miscarriage
PCOS is not curable, the only way it can be managed is through a healthy diet and exercise. Here is my basic understanding of the PCOS diet guidelines:
- Eat Foods With Low Glycemic Index - Low GI foods break down slowly and don't cause a spike and drop in insulin levels.
- High Protein, Low/No Carbs - Avoid processed carbs which provide few nutrients and also cause a spike in insulin levels. The more I read, gluten free is the way to go...Hold The Gluten.
- High Fiber Diet - Fiber helps slow down the digestion of sugars in the body (broccoli, celery, leafy veggies).
- Eat Foods Rich In Omega-3's - They lower testosterone levels (flax seeds, walnuts, salmon) but stay clear of soybeans, they can delay ovulation.
- Stay Clear From Dairy - Studies show that dairy leads to a rise in testosterone (avoid: milk, yogurt, cream & cheese). Dairy contributes to PCOS acne, enough said, goodbye ice cream!
- Sprinkle On Cinnamon - Cinnamon has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps greatly reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS. If you don't want to cook with it, you can always take pills.
Here are some links that I've found extremely useful: