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Having trouble with irregular periods? Have you had a sudden burst of pimples and put on a lot of weight without any apparent reason? If the answer to all this is yes, then you are probably suffering from PCOS.
Don’t panic! It only sounds complicated, but it’s not!
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a growing hormonal disorder mostly found among women of reproductive age. There is no one test to diagnose this syndrome but usually the first sign is having irregular periods or in some cases, no periods at all.
In PCOS, there are cyst formations in the ovaries due to overproduction of certain hormones. Yes, the resulting imbalance of hormones is what causes most of the distress.
Though the exact cause of this disorder is unknown, many experts link it to insulin resistance that cause the excessive weight gain, disrupt ovulation, and increase sugar cravings, among other things.
The carbohydrates that get digested in our body release glucose into the bloodstream. Insulin helps the cells to absorb glucose and produce energy that can be used by our bodies.
But when our bodies develop resistance, the cells stop absorbing the glucose. This forces the glucose to accumulate in the blood stream which ends in high blood sugar levels.
So, basically you need to work on decreasing the insulin resistance of your body.
Though cases of PCOS have been on the rise in the past few years, many gynaecologists believe that certain diet and lifestyle changes along with some medication can help reduce the symptoms.
Seems doable?
When your body becomes insulin resistant, then it starts producing more insulin to maintain normal sugar levels. High level of insulin makes it harder to lose weight resulting in a higher Body Mass Index (BMI).
So, it is very important to know what to eat and what to avoid!
Let us help make you a perfect diet plan then…
Remember, you must prevent excess sugar from entering your blood stream. So, you must eat food that doesn’t convert to sugar easily.
So, your diet must include a lot of:
• Green vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach
• Beans & lentils
• Almonds, berries
• Tomatoes
• Pumpkin
• Olive Oil
• Chicken
• Fish (like Salmon, Sardines)
Have a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Include more body cleansing items like turmeric, lime, garlic, onions, coriander in your meal preparations. They will detox the body and help you get rid of extra sugar.
Sugars and carbohydrates are a strict NO!
Yes, prepare yourself to bid farewell to all your favourite chocolates, candies, cakes, pies! Sorry, but they are of no help now!
Strictly stay away from:
• White bread (Bye-bye Pizza!)
• Rice
• Sugary juices
• Desserts (Basically, anything with sugar in it!)
• Potatoes
• Pasta noodles made from wheat flour (Try lentil flour (masoor aata) pasta, instead!)
You are also advised to cut down on foods like red meat, French fries (yes, you read that right!) since they cause inflammation in the body.
You have to be extra careful even while grocery shopping.
Why? Because packaged foods have a lot of sugars and carbohydrates that we usually don’t see because we rarely read the labels!
Along with a perfect diet, some exercise will also help you feel better.
No, you don’t have to run to the gym! Simple physical activities like brisk walking, jogging, swimming will help control your BMI.
Do you feel better now? You can deal with PCOS with the right diet and exercise. Try to gather more information which will only help you feel more confident in dealing with PCOS.
Remember, when in doubt, always consult your gynaecologist.
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Published: 24 Jun 2017,08:21 PM IST