Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) remains one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders affecting five to ten percent of women of childbearing age. Left undiagnosed, this condition boasts serious complications. And, the effects on pregnancy are no exception. However, early diagnosis, proper education and good care during pregnancy decrease risk factors and promote a healthy life and outcome for baby and mom.
What is PCOS?
When a woman is affected by PCOS, small cysts develop on her ovaries. These multiple (poly) cysts cause hormonal imbalances. The male sex hormones, androgens, (present in small amounts in women) increase. Also, the body tends to become insulin resistant.
The results of PCOS include issues with menstrual cycles and …show more content…
There is hope.
Nutritional Tips
Research indicates positive outcomes for baby and mom with good prenatal and personal care. In fact, there are several easy nutritional tips for managing PCOS during pregnancy.
1. Cinnamon
The insulin sensitivity which often accompanies PCOS raises the risk of diabetes among women affected, particularly gestational diabetes. Yet, a study reveals that cinnamon reduces this insulin resistance. The mechanism for doing so involves cinnamon’s effect of increasing activity in the pathway that signals insulin. Oral cinnamon pills given daily over eight weeks significantly reduced insulin resistance in the trial.
2. Turmeric
Yes, PCOS places women at greater risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy and outside of it. But, turmeric holds promise for staving off this outcome. In fact, research concludes that curcumin (the principle component in turmeric) pills taken daily over a nine-month course significantly reduce the incidence of this condition in prediabetic individuals. With this information, pregnant women who consume regular doses of turmeric (a spice found in Asian foods) may just avoid diabetes.
3. Walnuts and …show more content…
Selenium
Reproductive outcomes have been shown to improve with a supplement of selenium also. In fact, research indicates that daily ingestion of this supplement for eight weeks increases the pregnancy rate in women who take it. This proves good news for women struggling with infertility issues.
5. Low Starch Diet
Overall diet shifts also provide nutritional management of PCOS. A diet low in starch offers several benefits to women experiencing the effects of this condition. Research suggests that this type of diet increases insulin sensitivity which lowers the risk of developing diabetes and its negative ramifications. Also, increased levels of testosterone (a hallmark of the disease) reverse while consuming low starch diets.
6. High Protein Diet + Low GI
Shifting a diet to high protein and low glycemic index (GI) foods proves beneficial to those afflicted with PCOS as well. Studies have shown a significant increase in insulin sensitivity with this type of diet. Since PCOS leads to insulin resistance, it seems this option serves well to manage this aspect of the
What is PCOS?
When a woman is affected by PCOS, small cysts develop on her ovaries. These multiple (poly) cysts cause hormonal imbalances. The male sex hormones, androgens, (present in small amounts in women) increase. Also, the body tends to become insulin resistant.
The results of PCOS include issues with menstrual cycles and …show more content…
There is hope.
Nutritional Tips
Research indicates positive outcomes for baby and mom with good prenatal and personal care. In fact, there are several easy nutritional tips for managing PCOS during pregnancy.
1. Cinnamon
The insulin sensitivity which often accompanies PCOS raises the risk of diabetes among women affected, particularly gestational diabetes. Yet, a study reveals that cinnamon reduces this insulin resistance. The mechanism for doing so involves cinnamon’s effect of increasing activity in the pathway that signals insulin. Oral cinnamon pills given daily over eight weeks significantly reduced insulin resistance in the trial.
2. Turmeric
Yes, PCOS places women at greater risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy and outside of it. But, turmeric holds promise for staving off this outcome. In fact, research concludes that curcumin (the principle component in turmeric) pills taken daily over a nine-month course significantly reduce the incidence of this condition in prediabetic individuals. With this information, pregnant women who consume regular doses of turmeric (a spice found in Asian foods) may just avoid diabetes.
3. Walnuts and …show more content…
Selenium
Reproductive outcomes have been shown to improve with a supplement of selenium also. In fact, research indicates that daily ingestion of this supplement for eight weeks increases the pregnancy rate in women who take it. This proves good news for women struggling with infertility issues.
5. Low Starch Diet
Overall diet shifts also provide nutritional management of PCOS. A diet low in starch offers several benefits to women experiencing the effects of this condition. Research suggests that this type of diet increases insulin sensitivity which lowers the risk of developing diabetes and its negative ramifications. Also, increased levels of testosterone (a hallmark of the disease) reverse while consuming low starch diets.
6. High Protein Diet + Low GI
Shifting a diet to high protein and low glycemic index (GI) foods proves beneficial to those afflicted with PCOS as well. Studies have shown a significant increase in insulin sensitivity with this type of diet. Since PCOS leads to insulin resistance, it seems this option serves well to manage this aspect of the