PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE: WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?

Did you know that lifestyle, stress, and nutrition all play a role in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and hormonal imbalances? The good news is that many lifestyle changes can pull you out of the metabolic chaos when dealing with PCOS and insulin resistance. These simple lifestyle changes can also decrease your chances of developing other related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, and infertility.

The Relationship Between PCOS and Insulin Resistance

PCOS is recognized as a risk factor for developing diabetes. Despite the fact that the signs and symptoms of PCOS begin before the signs and symptoms of insulin resistance, it is believed that insulin resistance may play a role in causing PCOS, rather than the other way around. Do you know that elevated insulin levels may be a contributing factor to inflammation and other metabolic complications associated with PCOS? I’ll advise you to CONTACT me to learn more.

Most importantly, insulin resistance does not affect everyone in exactly the same way. And some women with insulin resistance develop PCOS, while others do not. Some experts suggest that obesity-associated insulin resistance alters the function of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the brain, increasing the production of androgenic hormones, which contribute to PCOS. The excessive production of androgenic hormones is an independent risk factor for female infertility and ovarian dysfunction, with or without PCOS.

While each condition is associated with depression, the risk of depression is much stronger when the two conditions occur together. Similarly, insulin resistance and PCOS each contribute to infertility. The hormonal changes of PCOS interfere with proper implantation of the embryo, while insulin resistance can lead to miscarriage due to inadequate nutrition and support of the growing embryo.

Symptoms of PCOS

Symptoms of PCOS and insulin resistance are similar in women who have PCOS and those who don’t. It is important for women with PCOS to be aware of these symptoms because of the strong correlation between the two conditions.

• Changes in Appetite: Insulin is an appetite stimulant, which is perhaps why many women with PCOS report frequent cravings for sweets and other carbohydrate-rich foods. This leads to weight gain, which increases the risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Do you know that you can improve your PCOS and hormone imbalance by controlling your blood sugar? I’ll advise you to CONTACT me right away to discuss your unique case.

• Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes: Pre-diabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions. During this stage, which can last as long as 10 to 12 years, the body is not optimally sensitive to insulin. This leads to high blood sugar levels for a prolonged time after eating. Symptoms include decreased energy, increased thirst, and frequent urination. Diabetes can cause decreased energy, neuropathy, vision loss, and vascular disease.

Root Cause of PCOS

Insulin resistance is one of the root physiological imbalances in most, if not all, cases of PCOS. This happens when your pancreas needs to pump out more and more insulin in response to high blood sugar levels.

Insulin lowers your blood sugar by storing the glucose in cells. The cells become resistant to the constant insulin and need more to be signaled to lower the blood sugar. When this resistance goes on for a while, you have high insulin and high blood sugar. Have you been struggling with high blood sugar levels? I’ll recommend you CONTACT me to schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation where we would discuss your unique needs.

As it would happen, insulin is a fat-storage hormone that concentrates fat in your abdominal region. And high insulin levels can tell the ovaries to make more testosterone. That’s why some women with PCOS have symptoms of excess androgens, like dark hairs on the face and belly.

If you have PCOS, CONTACT me right away to talk about your fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels, along with a HgbA1C, which is an average of blood sugars for the past 12 months. Shoot for an insulin level under 10. Fasting glucose should be under 90 or so.

PCOS and Stress (and PCOS Diet)

The most common contributor to insulin resistance is eating a diet that’s high in simple carbs and processed foods. If you eat cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and pasta for dinner with a glass of wine, the insulin receptors on your cells become numb to the insulin. Your pancreas must then work overtime to produce more and more. Ensure to monitor your PCOS diet.

Another important contributor? Stress! Whether it’s external stresses like working 80 hours a week at a job you dislike, not allowing enough sleep for rest and repair, being overcommitted (and having overcommitted kids), or internal stresses like chronic infections, eating foods that react with your immune system, or having a high toxic load.

These stressors tell your brain to send a signal for cortisol, the stress hormone, to be released from your adrenal glands. If cortisol is being overproduced on a regular basis, it can lead to insulin resistance. Would you like to discuss how lifestyle changes can help restore insulin sensitivity? I’ll recommend you CONTACT me for more personal support.

How To Restore Insulin Sensitivity (When Dealing with PCOS)

What can you do to restore insulin sensitivity? Does it make sense that only taking a birth control pill to control the downstream effects of this underlying process is more like putting a bandage on the problem than a cure?

There’s a large subset of women with PCOS who will thrive on a low-grain or grain-free food plan – similar to a paleo way of eating. Start with a JERF (Just Eat Real Food) diet consisting of whole, unprocessed, unrefined foods.

Exercise is a great way to help your body become more sensitive to insulin because it decreases the amount of insulin you need to signal cells to decrease your blood sugar. But be careful of excessive exercise because this may increase the demand on your adrenal glands, which can cause more problems. Instead, moderate exercise such as burst/interval training and yoga is the better route to go.

If you’ve been told you have PCOS and you want to correct the metabolic imbalance at the root, avoid bread and milk. If you want to take a deeper dive into your specific risk factors, don’t hesitate to CONTACT me to schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation where will discuss your unique needs.

Final Thoughts On PCOS and Insulin Resistance

While there is no cure for diabetes, it can be managed with dietary modifications and medication. Several steps can be taken to identify insulin resistance before diabetes occurs. If you have PCOS, some healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent diabetes long before tests would be expected to show abnormalities.

Incorporating daily exercise into your routine has been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes. Eating a well-balanced diet, low in fats and sugars, and rich in whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits, and vegetables have also been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes. To get dietary supplement recommendations for women with PCOS, I’ll advise you to CONTACT me. Schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation before starting any dietary supplement.

Take the Next Step and Schedule Today

Are you tired of masking your symptoms with harsh medications and want to switch to supplements that address the root cause of these diseases? You could take charge of your health today with a FREE 20-minute phone consultation. We will identify the key areas where you need support and will provide the necessary support for your unique case. Please CONTACT me to schedule a FREE 20-minute phone.

Chen Ben Asher will give you her best care recommendations and based on what’s happening inside your body on a cellular level, in a bid to achieve optimum results. Be rest assured that no stone will be left unturned as we look for the root cause!