Friday, May 18, 2012

Great Foods for People with PCOS

Alicia Walker tells us some foods that might be able to help people with PCOS...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a medical condition that occurs in woman in which their hormones are out of balance. Affecting around 7 percent of women, PCOS can result in a number of symptoms, such as insulin resistance and diabetes, problems with periods and difficulty getting pregnant, weight gain or weight loss, acne, unwanted hair on the body, and depression.

One of the best ways to treat PCOS is to do so naturally with food and proper nutrition. Below is a list of great foods with abundant vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help counter the problems associated with PCOS:
  • Cinnamon – Taking only a half a teaspoon a day of cinnamon can be very helpful in regulating blood sugar levels, helping increase insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon has an active ingredient called hydroxychalcone, which is believed to increase the effects of insulin. Cinnamon is also digested by the body quite slowly and helps prevent post-meal jumps in blood-sugar levels.
  • Broccoli – Broccoli contains an abundant amount of calcium, which is an important mineral for fighting PCOS. It also has abundance of other important vitamins and minerals and has a high fiber content. It also ranks very low on the glycemic index.
  • Salmon – Eating salmon is excellent for countering the symptoms associated with PCOS. This primarily is due to its high vitamin D level. Many symptoms of PCOS are associated with a low vitamin D level, such as weight change, infertility, and insulin resistance. Salmon is also high in magnesium and B vitamins, which helps with fertility, hormonal balance, and the maintenance of healthy blood-sugar levels.
  • Romaine Lettuce – Romaine lettuce is also a great choice, as it contains a high amount of chromium, which helps fight insulin resistance associated with PCOS.
  • Barley – Barley has the lowest ranking for glycemic index among all grains. It is high in nutrients and fiber and is also digested very slowly, which helps regulate hunger throughout the day.
For more information, check out some tips on nutrition as well as educational opportunities for a career in nutrition.

Sources
WebMD
(2012)
HealWithFood.org
(2012)


Thank you to Alicia Walker for sharing this potentially helpful information with us!