The Atkins diet constitutes a popular low-carb eating plan most often used for weight loss. Eric C. Westman, M.D., at the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic and co-author of the 2010 "The New Atkins for a New You," also claims that the Atkins program can help metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Robert Atkins asserted the Atkins diet was a central element of the natural treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.
Carbohydrate, Insulin and PCOS
PCOS is characterized by a variety of symptoms, such as an irregular menstrual cycle, cysts on the ovaries, depression, weight gain and infertility. Physicians suspect that insulin resistance causes the symptoms of PCOS. Insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas in response to the consumption of carbohydrates, converts into sugar and enters the cells where it can be used for energy, or stored as glycogen or fat. However, despite the very high levels of insulin noted in women with PCOS , it appears that their cells are not sensitive to its action; they are insulin resistant. Registered dietitian Martha McKittrick explains that this condition triggers weight gain or an inability to lose weight, and puts the patient at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Dietary Recommendations for PCOS
The objective of the dietary recommendations for PCOS patients aims to decrease insulin levels, as well as insulin resistance. Low-fat diets or food- pyramid based diets contain too many carbohydrates, which works against women with PCOS. Instead, women with PCOS benefit from following a diet with a lower carb intake, creating a diet restricted to 40 percent carbohydrates, rather than the 55 percent recommended by the food pyramid. The best indicators that you have reached the right carbohydrate target include decreased carb cravings, weight loss and regular menstrual cycle.
Atkins and PCOS
The Atkins diet is suitable for people with PCOS because of its low carb. Atkins commonly recommended this way of eating to women with PCOS. A study published in December 2005 in "Nutrition & Metabolism" showed that women with PCOS following the first phase of the Atkins diet, which limits carbohydrates to 20 g or less a day, for 24 weeks were able to decrease their body weight by 12 percent and insulin levels by 54 percent. Moreover, some women participating in this study were finally able to become pregnant, despite previous fertility problems.
Following the Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is based on the consumption of large servings of non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, celery, radishes, tomatoes, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy and asparagus. Each meal must also provide a source of protein, ideally from fish, pork, beef, chicken, eggs or cheese, and be accompanied by a generous serving of fat from butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado or olives.
References
- Atkins: The Program
- "New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great"; Eric C. Westman, et al.; 2010
- PCOSupport: PCOS Symptoms
- OBGYN.net: PCOS and Diet
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; The effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on the polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study; John C Mavropoulos, William S Yancy, Juanita Hepburn, et al.; December 2005
- The Healthier Life: PCOS - A Low Carbohydrate Diet Can Help To Relieve Symptoms
