PCOS Sufferers Experience Positive Results From Exercise, Diet & Acupuncture

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders in women of reproductive age.

Symptoms can include obesity, acne, male-pattern hair growth on the body, and male-pattern hairloss on the head. And yet, despite its common occurrence, how it begins is still somewhat poorly understood. With more and more research being performed, it has become clear that PCOS can no longer be viewed as a solely gynaecological disorder, but rather a metabolic one.

Research is showing that the primary underlying mechanism for most (but not all) women with PCOS is insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.

So what does this mean in terms of how PCOS is treated? Well, for one thing, it means diet can play a strong role in greatly improving this condition. Women dealing with PCOS have a characteristic predisposition to developing non-insulin dependent diabetes and heart disease, but adopting a low carbohydrate diet can help immensely.

So what does eating for PCOS look like? It depends. For some women, reducing their carb intake to no more than 40% a day may be enough and others may not see results until they restrict intake to no more than 20% a day. This means cutting out all refined, processed carbs like white pasta, white rice, crackers, cookies, cakes, sugar, tropical fruit, and fruit juice. However for some women it might also
mean limiting the amount whole grains like brown rice, starchy vegetables like potatoes, and even servings of fruit per day.

For a PCOS friendly-recipe try these pancakes! www.elanaspantry.com

Exercise can also help improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce PCOS symptoms. A recent study performed in Gothenburg, Sweden showed “ that low-frequency electro-acupuncture and physical exercise improved hyperandrogenism and menstrual frequency more effectively than no intervention in women with PCOS. Low-frequency electro-acupuncture was superior to physical exercise and may be useful for treating hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea.”

Traditional Chinese medicine can treat PCOS with not only acupuncture but herbal formulas as well. In TCM each woman is assessed and treated individually so whether insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia is present or not, treatment can be effective and successful. Using Acupuncture and herbs in conjunction with diet and exercise is a powerful arsenal against PCOS!

For the abstract on electroacupuncture, exercise and PCOS see this link: http://www.sciencedaily.com

Blog Post by Julia Dascalescu