Let's talk Polycistic ovary syndrome (pcos)

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.
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Let's Talk Truth With Dr. Taryn

Let’s talk PCOS:
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What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? PCOS
Definition- A common endocrine system disorder for women of reproductive age, symptoms may vary woman to woman.
Direct symptoms:

• Irregular Menses (scant, prolonged, heavy, absent, painful)
• Excess Androgen (facial + body hair, acne, greasy skin)

Indirect symptoms:

• Abnormal Insulin
• Abnormal Blood sugar
• Infertility
• Abnormal Cholesterol and Lipoproteins
• Depression and Anxiety

​What causes PCOS? Well, the exact cause is unknown! BUT genetics, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and inflammation play a role! The good news?! THREE out of the FOUR can be REVERSED! Now, what am I talking about? Well clearly you can’t reverse your genetics, however, wouldn’t that be nice… Having a hormonal imbalance creates elevated androgens (a group of hormones related to male traits) and makes it harder for the ovaries to release a mature egg. Having insulin resistance causes a change in how the cells of the body react to insulin. The inflammation is the final frontier. 

It is now clear that PCOS is often associated with profound insulin resistance as well as defects in insulin secretion--> Dunaif, A. (1997) Endocrine Reviews. 18(6): 774-800
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I’ll drop some more peer reviewed articles for my research loving folks

• Ehrmann, David A. (2002) Insulin Resistance and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Current Diabetes Reports. 2(1): 71-76.
• González, Frank. et al. (2005) Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &Metabolism. 19(1).
• Baillargeon, Jean-Patrice. Nestler, John. E. (2005) Polycystic Ovary Sydrome: A Syndrome of Ovarian Hypersensitivity to Insulin. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 91(1).

​But wait, why is this important? Because we NEED to understand the CAUSE! (See I said cause, not symptoms.) We need to understand the impact diet has and how nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate the condition. Circling back to when I said PCOS can be reversed- the best part? It can be reversed naturally. 

So what causes insulin resistance?

• Sugar
• Too Many Carbohydrates
• Low Muscle Mass
• Inflammation
• Too much adipose tissue
• Too many trans fats
• Nutrient deficiency – Chromium, Zinc, Selenium
• Chronic High Cortisol – Dysregulation
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Lack of Sleep

Now look at the image about processing sugar and modulating energy, do you see cholesterol? Cholesterol is needed for hormones, fighting inflammation through antioxidants, and for your brain. Cholesterol is NOT the bad guy.
Sugar is!

​Go ahead and eat those free range chicken eggs for breakfast!

Did you know, in 2005, Boston University researchers found a link between high total cholesterol and cognitive performance?!

• 789 men, 1005 women
• Free of dementia and stroke
• Followed for 16-18 years
• Cognitive tests ever 4-6 years

Results – Significant positive linear association between total cholesterol and measures of verbal fluency, attention/concentration, abstract reasoning, and a composite score measuring multiple cognitive domains. – Penelope K. Elias, et al., Psychosomatic Medicine 67, no. 1 (2005); 24-30

Remember when I said PCOS could be overturned? Well, check these out…

• Dale, PO. et al. (1992) Body weight, hyperinsulinemia, and gonadotropin levels in the polycystic ovarian syndrome: evidence of two distinct populations. Fertility and Sterility. 58(3): 487-491.
• DeUgarte, MD. et al. (2005) Prevalence of insulin resistance in the polycystic ovary syndrome using the homeostasis model assessment. Fertility and Sterility. 83(5): 1454- 1460.
• González, Frank. et al. (2005) Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &Metabolism. 19(1).

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I’m just slamming you with research today.

The previous three articles had the same hypothesis--> What if chronic daily inflammation created by a toxic, 24/7 high stress, sugar dysregulated, high cortisol lifestyle could cause PCOS? Hence, the reversal (and I’m not talking about wrestling).

Diet, exercise, and proper supplementation can give you your life back from PCOS. It’s time to get back to health! Please contact Stittleburg Restorative Health Care to see how we can help you!

Have a Happy Fourth of July,
​Dr. Taryn