I learned about my PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome long time ago. Because of irregular periods, I consulted an Ob-Gyn (Hi!! Dr. Iral!!) and was educated about it. *Polycystic ovary Syndrome have ovaries that secrete excessive amounts of male hormones into their blood. A polycystic ovary is one with many cysts – the remains of follicles that never released mature eggs. It is a symptom or a sign of the problem, not the cause.

I was given medicines and was told the proper diet, of course, the crucial part to combat the “gone wild” signals and bring forth balance once more to my system is TO LOSE WEIGHT. Losing weight has always been an issue to me. One can sweat off a dozen pounds easily while I remained roosted on the heavy weight division. A pound lost harks back a dozen more. Can you just imagine??

It’s a struggle and often times my mom would point out I lack willpower. But I believe there’s more to it than just a psychological block. Why then someone I know who doesn’t even need to think about losing weight can melt off the fat easily from a sumptuous lunch before it has been deposited to the tissues of the body to become a blubber?! *Thermogenesis is the term. It is the rate at which food is metabolized. Thermogenesis accounts for a large percentage of calorie burning after meal. It is often greatly reduced in women with PCOS – their bodies simply do no burn up calories as quickly as those who do not have PCOS. So then, that’s the reason why I store more of the calories from the foods I eat. From the book I was reading, it states that there’s a new approach which combines the right foods with the right strategies for women with PCOS. It’s also appropriate to see an endocrinologist for this matter to remain guided and treated.

There are foods that impaired equilibrium in our body. That I realized from a doctor, hubby and I consulted here in Texas. It’s a holistic approach. An American doctor who later on I learned, spent his teenage years in Angeles, Pampanga. We walked in his clinic for supposedly chelation treatment but the kind doctor enlightened us to a more helpful and lasting ways of eliminating toxins in our body thus bringing back the lost balance in the body. It made a lot of sense actually which explained how we, unconsciously poison our body with junk foods not knowing that there are also other foods which our bodies react to. The reaction cannot be detected right away, like what IgE tests reveal (I had mine before, to detect where my allergies are coming from) that’s why IgG had to be done for initial testing to find out any delayed body reaction to food. I strongly agree, that my allergy is a manifestation of the toxins in my bloodstream. A noise barrage of my being, a calling for cell renewal. Now, I appreciate Japanese culture more and the Buddhist and the Taoist… balance is the key. Just like what my I Ching readings always reveal.

So, what are these foods that can cause havoc to body system? Food containing high or sometimes even moderate amounts of carbohydrates  (high glycemic variety) can cause trouble in losing weight. (oh, meynnnn,.. so good bye pastas?! Not just yet, remember balance is the key..) It will be best to follow a low glycemic diet like eating small meals throughout the day plus some proteins. *Protein helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. It is based on on low-fat protein; non-starchy green and white vegetables; fish oils from cold water fish and seafood – which I’m also allergic to most; white meat poultry; eggs; low fat high calcium dairy; cinnamon and limited amounts of certain fruits.

What does “glycemic”stands for? *The Glycemic Index (GI) measures how quickly a particular carbohydrate affects blood sugar levels. The higher the number, the quicker the rise in blood sugar. Starchy foods like refined grain products (e.g. white rice – oh no! so settle for the brown rice instead) and potatoes have a high glycemic index. Milk and many fruits and non-starchy vegetables such as greens have a low glycemic index while whole grains, peas and other legumes have a moderate or low GI.

So, why should we all be concern with the sugar level? Because weight problems arising from difficulty in losing those extra pounds may be brought by body cells that become less sensitive to insulin. *When your organs and tissues lose their sensitivity to insulin, a normal amount of insulin is no longer sufficient to process the blood sugar your cells burn as fuel. In response, cells in your pancreas secrete greater amounts of insulin. As your insulin level rises, your PCOS symptoms worsen. As a general rule, the heavier a woman is, the more insulin resistant she becomes and the more she suffers from her PCOS symptoms like excessive hair growth on face or body or can happen the other way around - scalp hair thinning. Acne, excess weight, acanthosis nigricans (darkened velvety skin area usually on the nape of the neck, armpits and in skin folds under the breasts), skin tags, gray white breast discharge, sleep apnea, pelvic pain, depression, anxiety or other emotional disturbances.  

The complexity of PCOS really makes it a hassle but the good news is that women who have it, can always be in control. It doesn’t go away, it just remains dormant when balance in the body is achieved.

I'm still learning more about PCOS and hopefully I'll get sufficient drive to help myself overcome most of the symptoms. It's easier said than done, you know, especially at times when things get so depressing. Ohh Lord,.. help!! Hubby and I want to see our little angel very soon!

* taken from Walter Futterweit, M.D. A Patient's Guide To PCOS