September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome awareness month–so it’s the perfect time to learn how a few key diet choices can reduce PCOS!
PCOS: What you need to know:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) causes a disruption in the balance of hormones responsible for reproduction. Typically, this imbalance causes the body to produce too much testosterone, and not enough estrogen. As a result, ovulation cycles are disrupted, and eggs that would normally be released instead attach to the ovaries, eventually becoming cysts.
The impact of PCOS on your estrogen can also affect your overall metabolism, causing a wide range of other effects, including weight gain, body hair, and painful menstrual cycles.
It might surprise you to learn that PCOS is actually quite common–affecting between 10-25% of American women.
THE GOOD NEWS: DIET CAN HELP!
It’s critical to know that a better diet CAN reduce your PCOS symptoms significantly, reduce your PCOS related inflammation, and improve your overall quality of life.
FIVE PCOS FRIENDLY FOODS:
Fiber
Effective at reducing insulin levels and full of inflammation-fighting antioxidants, fiber is a must for women with PCOS. Great sources of fiber can include: whole grains, berries, seeds and legumes.
Protein
Protein–specifically LEAN protein–is incredible at helping you to feel full and killing the snacking urge.You’ll want to avoid red meat and processed meats, instead going for options like fish, skinless chicken, tukey, and vegetable proteins like beans and tofu.
Foods rich in antioxidants
PCOS can generate low-grade inflammation, so it becomes more important than ever to eat foods filled with antioxidants that can reduce your inflammation. Luckily enough, you have tonnes of great tasting options to choose from: berries, vegetables (especially spinach, kale and artichokes!), unsaturated fats, and whole grains.
Soy
Organic whole soy can increase fertility, making it an excellent choice for women with PCOS. However, it’s important to seek out ORGANIC soy, as processed soy may lack the nutritional benefits contained in sources like miso and edamame
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats can come from a wide range of courses, including avocado, olive oil, and unsalted nuts. Consuming healthy fats is a powerful way to lower insulin levels and manage your weight–making them perfect for women with PCOS!
If you’d like more advice on how to manage your PCOS and improve your fertility, our team of experts will be more than happy to assist you. The Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, an IVF clinic in Orange County helps couples seeking fertility care at an affordable price. With a combination of wellness treatments like nutrition, yoga, and counseling, our fertility specialists create a personalized plan to have the best chances at conceiving, no matter your fertility history. Give us a call at (949) 516-0606 or you may schedule a consultation by visiting this link reproductivehealthwellness.com/contact-us
At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, we are experts at treating fertility issues. We provide the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by using the latest technologies, and we create innovative fertility plans tailored specifically to each individual. But we’re so much more.
