According to Women's Health, polycystic ovary disease affects one in every 10 to 20 women and causes symptoms that range from weight gain to infertility. In some cases, symptoms stemming from this condition such as weight gain or high insulin can be reversed or controlled by making a few dietary changes.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that causes a woman's ovaries to produce multiple cysts. This health condition affects women of reproductive age. In a normal menstrual cycle a balanced amount of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone is released from the pituitary gland, causing the reproductive organs to release estrogen and progesterone. This kick starts the menstrual cycle and ovulation. In women with PCOS, there is an over-secretion of the luteinizing hormone, which causes an imbalance in the remaining reproductive hormones and results in irregular menstrual cycles, male-pattern hair growth, hair thinning and a lack of ovulation.
PCOS and Insulin
In addition to the other symptoms of PCOS, women with this condition gain weight easily and find it hard to lose the weight. This is due to an increased amount of the hormone insulin in these women. Insulin is made by the pancreas and allows sugar to enter cells to become energy. A high insulin level causes the ovaries to increase production of androgens, which triggers symptoms such as acne and irregular menstrual cycles and increases the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Reducing the amount of insulin ingested from foods may help to regulate this hormone.
The Glycemic Diet
Physicians suggest the glycemic index diet for women with PCOS to help control insulin. The glycemic index is a diet that catalogues foods according to the affects they have on insulin. Foods that rank lower on the glycemic index cause very little change to occur in insulin levels, whereas foods in the high-glycemic index cause rapid spikes. Women with PCOS are often directed to eat foods from the low-glycemic index to help control PCOS symptoms and aid in weight loss.
Benefit of Low-GI Diet
According to the Glycemic Index website, eating foods that are high on the glycemic index can damage your health by pushing your body to the extreme. This is even more detrimental to people who are overweight and have medical conditions. Eating foods from the low-GI index can help you maintain your weight, lose weight, improve diabetes management, keep you fuller longer, prolong your endurance and help to reduce symptoms of PCOS.
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