What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

�  Hidden “illness”

�  PCOS is a hormonal imbalance where the ovaries make more androgen than normal.

�  Androgens are male hormones that women produce �  High levels of these hormones affect the development and release of

eggs during ovulation

�  Researches believe insulin may be linked to PCOS �  Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and

other food into energy to use or store �  Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen.

�  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of childbearing years (11-45)

�  Health problem that affects a woman’s: menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, appearance.

History �  PCOS set of causes continues to be unknown

�  1921-”the diabetes of bearded women”-disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and hyperandrogenism first describe by Achard and Thiers

�  1968- Brown and Winkelmann reported it was an insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus and a genetic basis

�  Number of studies have been conducted and produced results suggesting an autosomal dominant trait

�  Genes affecting metabolic pathways in glucose homeostasis and steroid biosynthesis are both involved

�  1980-PCOS associated with hyperinsulinemia and reproductive morbidities

Diagnosis Symptoms

�  Infertility

�  Infrequent, absent or irregular menstrual periods

�  Cysts on Ovaries

�  Weight gain or obesity

�  Pelvic pain

�  Anxiety or depression

�  Sleep apnea

�  Fatigue

�  Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes

�  Increase in craving

�  Hirsutism- increase hair growth on face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, and or toes

�  Acne

�  Excess oily and or dry skin including dandruff

�  Patches of baldness or thinning hair

�  Skin Tag

�  Patches of skin discoloration- most common on back of neck, below breast line and inner thighs

�  “sports car” Metabolism

Diagnosis

Labs or other test to be preformed

�  Medical History-menstrual periods, weight change and other symptoms

�  Physical Exam-blood pressure, BMI, hair growth

�  Pelvic Exam-cysts on ovaries

�  Blood Tests- �  Hemoglobin A1c �  Testosterone levels

�  LH/FSH levels �  DHEAs

�  Glucose tolerance test �  Thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4

�  Prolactin �  17-OH progesterone

�  Complete metabolic panel �  Homocysteine �  High-sensitivity C-reactive protein

�  Vaginal Ultrasound (sonogram)

Ruling out possible other conditions

�  Thyroid Disease

�  Hyperprolactinemia

�  Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

�  Cushing Syndrome

Insulin Resistant �  What is it and what it means to my body

�  How it is different from Diabetes

�  How to manage

Ingredients to Avoid

u  Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil-A.K.A- Trans Fat

u  found in snacks ,fast food, fried foods, processed and packaged baked good. Don't confuse trans fats with monounsaturated and unsaturated fat, however. They might look similar, but trans fats are the true dietary degenerates.

u  Glucose- is just a fancy word for “Sugar”

u  When your body ingests glucose, your pancreas begins releasing insulin to help manage the extra sugar in the blood. Your body quickly tries drawing this excess glucose into the cells for storage. In most cases, your fat cells will fill with extra cushion, especially if you're insulin resistant.

u  High Fructose Corn Syrup

u  This ingredient is potentially just as bad as glucose in terms of fat gain because fructose will move directly to the liver for processing, where it is quickly converted into triglycerides.

u  Fat-Free Items

u  Often, 'fat-free' is just the equivalent for 'fat-removed, sugar-added. When a snack food is designed to be "fat-free," it often means something has been removed from the food. After a food has been changed like that, sugar is generally added to keep good flavor.

u  Fruit-Flavored

�  Along with 'fat-free,' also be wary of 'fruit-flavored' items. Even foods that advertise they're made with 'real-fruit,' doesn't mean that there's much fruit in them. Instead of fruit, you're left with a whole lot of sugar and some chemically-made fruit flavoring. If you want something fruit-flavored, have the real deal, not some green-apple flavored gummy.

Foods to Avoid

Insulin Resistant also should avoid all wheat, flour and refined sugars

Food Plans that decrease symptoms of PCOS

Glycemicguru.com

Healthy Fats

Healthy Natural Sweeteners Stevia

What Can I Eat?

Don’t Forget

Resources and Books �  Mark Sissons- The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and

boundless energy

�  Mark Sissons & Jennifer Meier-Primal Blueprint Quick and Easy Meals: Delicious, Primal-approved meals you can make in under 30 minutes

�  Bill Staley & Hayley Mason-Make it Paleo: Over 200 Grain Free Recipes For Any Occasion

�  Robb Wolf-The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet

�  Dr. Steven R. Gundry-Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution: Turn Off the Genes That Are Killing You and Your Waistline

�  Cheryle Hart & Mary Kay Grossman-The Insulin-Resistance Diet--Revised and Updated: How to Turn Off Your Body's Fat-Making Machine

�  Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller-The New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS: Lose Weight, Boost Fertility and Gain Control Over Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with the Glycemic Index

�  Angela Grassi-The PCOS Workbook: Your Guide to Complete Physical and Emotional Health

�  Nadir R. Farid-The PCOS Diet Cookbook

References �  Dunaif, A. (1997). Insulin Resistance and the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Mechanism and Implications

for Pathogenesis. Endocrine Review, 18(6), 774-800.

�  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Fact Sheet. (2010). Retrieved from http://Womenshealth.gov

�  PCOS and Hirsutism. (2012). Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center, (), . Retrieved from http://www.cedars-sinai.edu

�  FSH. (2001-2012). American Association for Clinical Chemistry, (), . Retrieved from http://labtestsonline.org

�  Wilshire, G. B. (2011, October). Addressing the nutritional needs of underweight and overweight subfertile women. SRM, 9(4), . Retrieved from http://www.srm-ejournal.com

�   American Diabetes Services. (1999-2012). Natural Sugar Substitutes: 10 Healthier Alternatives to Refined Sugar. Retrieved from http://www.americandiabetes.com/living-diabetes/diabetes-food-articles/natural-sugar-substitutes-10-healthier-alternatives-refined

�   Tijerina, . (2011). Transitioning to a Nutrient-Dense Way of Eating. Retrieved from http://moveatlive.com/nutrient-dense-eating/