I recently had an enlightening conversation with a colleague who has completed our inCYST training, has a master's degree, and is a lean woman with PCOS. She shared that despite doing all the right things, as we would prescribe for PCOS, she still has days when her appetite is not consistent with her food intake or activity. In other words, she can be ravenously hungry without logical explanation.
I found this comment interesting, as it suggests that intuitive eating may not be appropriate even in a case of lean PCOS.
I would like to hear from others reading this blog who are lean with PCOS.
Is your hunger at times seemingly irrational?
Do you still struggle with cravings?
Do you feel like you have to be more structured and less intuitive with your eating even if you're doing what you're told is"healthy"?
You can comment here, or if you prefer a private response, contact me directly, monika at afterthediet.com
All information we can get is most appreciated, and we thank you for your time!
If you're trying to conceive, you likely know that it's important to be getting enough folate in your diet in order to prevent neural tube defects.
Even if you're NOT trying to get pregnant, folate is important for women with PCOS.
Homocysteine is a compound found in the blood, which, in elevated amounts, indicates increased cardiovascular risk and inflammation. It tends to be elevated in women with PCOS.
Fifty patients with PCOS, were divided into two groups receiving two different treatments. The first group received 1700 mg of metformin per day, along with 400 mug folate. The second group received metformin without folate.
Homocysteine levels were significantly increased in both groups, but to a lesser degree when they also supplemented with folate.
I was heartened to see this study, since so much research on PCOS focuses on the part of PCOS we can SEE (i.e., weight), and seems to ignore that biochemistry can be altered regardless of weight. In fact, another study I ran across while looking for a blog topic this morning, focused on the fact that metformin improved biochemistry even without diet or exercise modifications. Yes, you can make a study say anything you wish if you correctly design it, but it is not fair to women with PCOS to do that and falsely lead them to believe that medication is the only answer. And, you've got to understand that even if your weight is normal with PCOS, you still have to pay attention to what is happening metabolically.
You've got to care about what's under the hood, not just how pretty the paint job is.
Palomba S, Falbo A, Giallauria F, Russo T, Tolino A, Zullo F, Colao A, Orio F. Effects of metformin with or without supplementation with folate on homocysteine levels and vascular endothelium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetes Care. 2009 Nov 23. [Epub ahead of print]
Oppelt PG, Mueller A, Janetsch K, Kronawitter D, Reissmann C, Dittrich R, Beckmann MW, Cupisti S. The Effect of Metformin Treatment for 2 Years without Caloric Restriction on Endocrine and Metabolic Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2009 Dec 8. [Epub ahead of print]
If you're lean and you have PCOS, take a few moments to listen to our interview with Haviland Stillwell, an actress/singer who lives with the syndrome. I think you'll find her attitude inspiring.
Haviland mentioned a friend, comedienne Stacy Citron, another woman with PCOS, who is currently appearing on the show Thintervention. I've linked to both here for anyone who might want more information.
A huge thanks to Chef Jon from Green Mountain at Fox Run Resort for introducing us to the food he creates for the resort guests. If you like what he said about food, and health, we'd love to have you join us for PCOS week this coming November! For more information on some of his delicious recipes, join their Facebook group and head to the discussion tab. For some of their thoughts on living well, be sure to subscribe to their blog.
Next week we'll be discussing fish-friendly eating with Chef Nancy Banner from The Holistic Kitchen.
