Acne: The Role of Dairy in the Nutrition Management for PCOS

Got acne? Don't get milk! This, according to new research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, showing a positive link between dairy consumption and acne (1). Acne is a common symptom of PCOS that can significantly affect quality of life in women of all ages.

The connection between dairy, androgens and insulin

In their review of 27 studies, researchers conclude frequent dairy intake as well as a high glycemic load diet (GL) contribute to acne. As the figure below shows (1), there are several ways dairy influences acne development:

1. Dairy ingestion can lead to increased insulin levels leading to increased cellular growth and acne.
2. Dairy products are carbohydrates which stimulate insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), resulting in high insulin levels. "Both skim and whole milk (but not cheese products) have a 3 to 6 fold higher glycemic-load compared with other carb foods". High insulin levels lead to increased androgens creating more sebum production.
3. Milk contains growth-stimulating hormones, including IGF-1 and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which increases androgens resulting in higher sebum production and acne.

Continue reading...

PCOS, Periods and Iron Loss

What are your periods like lately? While some women with PCOS may not experience a period at all, others may have several periods each month, prolonged bleeding, or heavy monthly flow. According to Dr. Shahab Minassian, Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center and IVF-Fertility Division of the Women's Clinic Ltd. in Reading, PA, women with PCOS can suffer from heavy uterine bleeding for numerous reasons. "Overgrowth of endometrial tissue inside the uterine cavity, which can cause heavy periods, is common. This overgrown tissue can also bleed irregularly causing dysfunctional uterine bleeding (D.U.B.)." Minassian adds "PCOS also puts patients at risk for endometrial polyps, which can also result from the overgrowth. These polyps can cause bleeding between periods as well as heavier flow during periods." Heavy bleeding associated with menstrual disturbances can increase a woman's risk for iron deficiency, or the more severe iron deficiency anemia.

Continue reading...

New Name for PCOS? A Summary of the NIH Workshop on PCOS

The NIH Office of Disease Prevention held an important workshop on PCOS that took place December 4-5, 2012. Top researchers in PCOS from all over the world met for this 2 day workshop to present evidence-based information on PCOS and to clarify the following:

• The benefits and drawbacks of different diagnostic criteria
• The causes, predictors, and long-term consequences of PCOS
• Optimal prevention and treatment strategies

After the meeting concluded, an executive summary was drafted. Here are some highlights from that summary and what it means for women with PCOS:

Continue reading...

GMOs in Our Food: What you Need to Know and Why

I clearly remember the day I first learned about genetically modified food. I was sitting in on one of my nutrition classes and my professor was informing us that the U.S. had begun to genetically alter our food crops. This meant that we could have larger, perfect tomatoes. We could feed more people on less land. We could grow food all year round that was immune to drought and increasing climate change. What wasn't clear were safety concerns and what long-term effects were going to happen.

Now, 20 years later since the introduction of these foods, we know that GMOs impact our health. There are definite associations between consumption of GMO foods and the increases we are seeing in asthma, autism, allergies and sensitivities, skin eruptions, behavior problems and cancer (breast, prostate, colon). Yet, the USDA doesn't require safety studies for GMOs. An alarming new study shows that a variety of corn engineered by Monsanto has been linked to mammary tumors, kidney and liver damage and other serious illnesses in the first ever peer-reviewed, long-term animal study of GMO foods.

Continue reading...

30 Interesting Facts About PCOS

1. Women with PCOS have higher rates of anxiety and depression than women without the syndrome.
2. Women with PCOS reach menopause two to five years later than women without PCOS.
3. Elevated insulin or insulin resistance are not part of the diagnostic criteria for PCOS.
4. Precise and uniform criteria for diagnosing PCOS has not yet been established.
5. In 2010, the estimated annual national health care cost associated with PCOS was $1.16 billion. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21747019
6. Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea due to the influence of androgens affecting sleep receptors in the brain.
7. Women with PCOS can have monthly menstrual cycles and still have PCOS.
8. Despite its name, not all women with PCOS actually have cysts on their ovaries.
9. Characteristics of PCOS were first described in 1935 by researchers Stein and Leventhal.
10. There are at least 10 different phenotypes associated with PCOS.

Continue reading...

Introducing PharmaNAC: A High Quality NAC Supplement

The antioxidant N-Acetyl-cysteine, also known as NAC, got some much deserved attention as a natural alternative to managing PCOS when a report published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology showed this derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine performed equally as well as metformin on improving weight, insulin, hirsutism, and irregular periods (if you missed our latest blog post about the benefits of NAC for PCOS you can read it here). Other added benefits of NAC include maintenance of good respiratory function, treatment of colds and to support a healthy immune system. I was surprised to learn that NAC is actually one of the highest selling over-the-counter supplements in Europe! That's why I am thrilled to introduce to you a great NAC product called PharmaNAC.

Continue reading...

My Internship Experience at the PCOS Nutrition Center

My name is Katie Myrold, and I am a Dietetic Intern at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. I was fortunate enough to spend a week of my nine-month journey toward becoming a registered dietitian working with Angela Grassi, dietitian and founder at the PCOS Nutrition Center.

As a woman with PCOS and an aspiring dietitian, I realize just how important a healthy lifestyle is to my overall quality of life. I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 16 after reading about the syndrome in a magazine. I saw, in myself, many of the symptoms the article was describing and asked my primary care physician to test me for it. When the test results revealed that I did, indeed, have the disorder, my doctor gave me a brief handout about PCOS, prescribed me some oral contraceptives, and sent me on my way. PCOS was foreign to me, and I was eager to learn more about it. Through my own research I discovered that by adopting a healthy lifestyle, complete with good nutrition, physical activity, and stress management, I could greatly improve my symptoms and prevent serious complications like diabetes and heart disease. I became determined to do just that, and that determination instilled in me a passion for nutrition that led me to pursue a career in dietetics.

Continue reading...

What's Your Phenotype?

A phenotype is a unique set of characteristics based on your genetic makeup and influence of environmental factors. In a position paper published in Fertility and Sterility, the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Task Force suggest that there at least 10 possible phenotypes of PCOS. The difference in phenotypes explains how the syndrome has so much variation in symptoms. For example, despite the core feature of PCOS being high levels of androgens, not all women with the syndrome have excess hair growth on their body while some women may have full-grown beards. Others have acne and some have none. Some women with PCOS are lean while others are overweight. A small percentage of women may have no symptoms of PCOS whatsoever. The classification of phenotypes also includes ovulation. The most difficult phenotype to treat may be the non-ovulatory hyperandrogenism group.

Continue reading...

Rev Up Your Metabolism

Let's face the reality: The majority of us have sedentary jobs. Sitting all day in a chair does not help our waistlines and is hazardous to our health. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main contributors to weight gain in America. A strong relationship exists between a lack of physical activity and increased levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and overall, increased risk for heart disease. In an energizing closing session at The Weight Management Symposium which took place last month in Henderson, Nevada, Dr. Lenny Kravitz (yes, the Doctor) an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at The University of New Mexico, shared his tips with hundreds of dietitians on the best ways to increase metabolism and burn fat. Curious? I was too. Dr. Kravitz shared that one of the most effective ways to burn more calories and fat is by lifting weights.

Continue reading...

What Happens to Women with PCOS as they Age?

Until recently, the focus on PCOS has been during the childbearing years as PCOS has been primarily viewed as a reproductive disorder. Questions about what happens when women with PCOS age have remained elusive. For example, does the syndrome get worse and if so, how worse? Or, does PCOS get better after menopause? Could PCOS simply disappear altogether? We now have the answers to some of these questions as researchers are now exploring what happens when women with PCOS transition through menopause. The news is good and not so good. Let's first start with the reproductive hormones.

Continue reading...

What's Your Protein-To-Carb Ratio?

Do you have PCOS and been struggling to lose weight despite your dieting and exercise efforts? It could be your protein-to-carbohydrate ratio according to a study published in the American Society for Nutrition. During this 6-month trial, women with PCOS followed either a high protein diet consisting of 40% or more energy from protein and 30% fat versus a standard protein diet of less than 15% protein and 30% fat. Both groups received monthly dietary counseling and could eat as much food as they wanted with the guideline to reduce or avoid simple sugars. In addition, the high protein group was encouraged to eat whole grain bread products.

Continue reading...

Should All Women with PCOS Eat Gluten-Free?

Are you thinking of changing your diet to one that's gluten-free? You're not alone. The number of gluten-free diet books and products available are exploding. Some gluten-free products claim to promote everything from better sleep, increased energy, weight loss and even thinner thighs and cleaner skin. Some gluten-free claims offer treatment for autism and rheumatoid arthritis. It's no surprise that the primary reason many buy gluten-free foods is a belief that they are viewed as healthier than other foods. Women with PCOS may particularly benefit from a gluten-free diet because the majority of the acceptable grains are low in glycemic index and won't spike insulin levels.

Continue reading...

Wake Up! Time to Get More Z's

When was the last time you had a great night sleep? Are you too sleep-deprived to remember? Then this article is for you. Feeling tired is only one sign that you aren't getting enough sleep. The effects of sleep loss run deep; it can affect your long-term health and your weight. Sleep disturbances, including insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, insomnia, and especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) , are considered independent risk factors for the development and worsening of insulin resistance. OSA has been found to be as much as 30 times higher in women with PCOS (click here for more info on OSA and PCOS). One study showed that just a 5-day period of sleep deprivation caused abnormal glucose tolerance and worsening insulin levels.

Continue reading...

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and PCOS

Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) according to findings presented at the 9th Annual Meeting of the Androgen Excess & PCOS Society. One report suggests PCOS women are 30 times more likely to have OSA (low slow wave activity, sleep loss, oxygen deficiency) than compared with controls.

OSA is an under recognized yet significant factor in the development of metabolic complications seen in women with PCOS. In fact, the more severe OSA, the higher prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and high blood pressure. OSA contributes to weight gain and difficulties losing weight as it affects the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic adrenal axis.

Continue reading...

Fish Oil Improves Mood

There's no question that women with PCOS suffer from more mood problems such as depression and anxiety than those without the syndrome. For some women, mood issues can be a result of dealing with all the problems PCOS brings: dramatic body image issues, fluctuations in blood sugar, loss of control over weight, difficulty managing the syndrome, infertility, and lack of support. Mood problems can also be brought on by hormone imbalances. There is some good news for the millions of women who struggle with mood problems: omega-3 fatty acids, particularly the kind that come from fish, may help manage mood.

Continue reading...

Highlights from the Androgen Excess & PCOS Society's 9th Meeting

Last week, I had the pleasure of being one of 130 international experts in the field of PCOS who attended the Androgen Excess & PCOS Society's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Most years, this meeting does not take place in the U.S. The majority of PCOS experts in attendance were reproductive or pediatric endocrinologists, who treat patients and/or conduct research in the areas of androgen excess and PCOS. I was the only registered dietitian at the conference.

The pace of the conference was very quick, covering a total of 33 presentations in 10 hours. A Q & A session was held after every 3rd or 4th presentation followed by a brief discussion.

It was a very exciting day for several reasons. The first was that it was great to meet and put faces to the names of researchers whose studies I have read which has taught me so much about this syndrome. Secondly, it was thrilling to hear about the new research many of the physicians are conducting on PCOS for it is research that will give us more insight into treating this most complex endocrine disorder.

Continue reading...

An Apple A Day Helps Keep The PCOS Away!

The cooler temperatures and the bright foliage are signals that Fall has arrived! This time of year is also about apples, making October National Apple Month. Did you know that there are 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States? Apples are a delicious and healthy fruit for women with PCOS. Here are some health benefits and fun facts about this crisp fruit.

Health Benefits of Apples

Apples are one of the most popular fruits around and with good reason: Apples are tasty, filling, portable, inexpensive and have a long shelf-life. One medium apple has only 80 calories and 5 grams of fiber. They are also a fat, sodium and cholesterol free food. Another benefit: Apples are a low glycemic index (GI) food -if you eat it with the skin on.

Continue reading...

N-ACETYL CYSTEINE: A Natural Insulin-Sensitizer for PCOS?

New research shows women with PCOS who have insulin resistance may benefit from taking the nutritional supplement N-Acetyl Cysteine, also known as NAC.

NAC is both an antioxidant and amino acid (building blocks of protein). Specifially, NAC is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine, an essential precursor used by the body to produce glutathione. Glutathione is an extremely important and powerful antioxidant produced by the body to help protect against free radical damage, and is a critical factor in supporting a healthy immune system. NAC is widely sold in Europe as a treatment for the common cold and it has other numerous uses from being a treatment for bronchitis to removing heavy metals and environmental pollutants from the body. NAC has also been found to reduce inflammation, heart disease and most recently, insulin.

Continue reading...

Grocery Shopping Tips

Food shopping doesn't have to be a dreaded task. Use the tips below to select healthy and affordable food for an efficient and pleasurable grocery shopping experience.

Stick to the outer perimeter of the store.

This is where the protein-containing foods and fresh, unprocessed food like fruits and vegetables are located. Skip the middle isles as much as possible to avoid putting processed foods in your cart.

Don't shop when you're hungry.

It's totally true: when we're hungry our blood sugar gets low and everything looks great. Not only do you put more food in your cart, but you also end up spending more money. Try and shop soon after a meal whenever possible.

Look carefully at expiration dates.

Hate it when you get home from grocery shopping and find that one of the foods you just bought will expire the next day? When selecting a food product, look for one that has the longest expiration date of all the others on the shelf. This may require a bit of hunting through items but will ensure your food will be freshest the longest.

Continue reading...

The Power of Probiotics

Have you heard about probiotics? If not, you've probably seen it before: the TV commercial showing actress Jamie Lee Curtis enjoying Activia yogurt in beautiful settings across the globe. In the ad, Curtis remarks that she eats this yogurt daily for "digestive health". Yogurt, like some other dairy foods, is a probiotic or healthy bacteria, shown to have benefits on the digestive and immune systems. Interested? Here's what you need to know.

What are probiotics?

According to the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, probiotics are live microorganisms (microbes), which, when administered in adequate amounts, offer a health benefit on the host.

Our bodies naturally contain trillions of different microbes-over 100 trillion bacteria in our intestines alone. Some of these microorganisms are good and some not-so-good. Examples of microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, and yeast. Everyone has their own unique concentrations of microorganisms. Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those in our bodies. Friendly bacteria are important for proper maintenance of our immune system, for the digestion and absorption of food and protect us against bad bacteria that can cause disease. Probiotics assist the body's friendly bacteria to make it even more powerful.

Continue reading...

Myo-Inositol Proves Better for Fertility than d-Chiro-Inositol

Inositol is a member of the B-vitamins and a component of the cell membrane. There are several forms of inositol with myo-inositol or d-chiro-inositol showing therapeutic value. The body converts d-chiro inositol from myo-inositol. There are many reasons women with PCOS may want to take this supplement as inositol has been linked to improved insulin, triglyceride and testosterone levels, as well as improved blood pressure, ovulation and weight loss.

PCOS & inositol

Only a handful of studies were conducted on myo and d-chiro-inositol and PCOS, all showing favorable results. It is believed that inositol increases the action of insulin in women with PCOS, thereby improving ovulation, decreasing testosterone, and lowering blood pressure and triglycerides. Another showed that myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS women.

Continue reading...

Cherries: The Sweet Way to Reduce Inflammation

Every year my family and I look forward to our vacation in Northern Michigan: long days, cool nights, clear blue water, and cherries. That's right, cherries! Traverse City, Michigan boasts itself as being the Cherry Capital of the World and it's no surprise. Situated on a peninsula at the 35th parallel, thousands of cherry trees grow fantastically well (along with wine grapes and peaches) with the optimal moisture, soil and temperatures from both the East and West Grand Traverse Bays. There is nothing like biking along the bay and stopping to pick and eat cherries.

According to the Cherry Marketing Institute, the average American eats about one pound of tart cherries each year(sweet cherries are the other type of cherries). The third week of July is when cherries are at their peak so run, don't walk, to your local grocery store or farmers market to enjoy the many nutrients and flavor of this sweet fruit while in season.

Continue reading...

How to Make More Satisfying Meals

In a food rut or feeling blah about your food choices lately? You're not alone. Most people buy the same foods every week at the grocery store leaving the palate yearning for some fresh, new and tasty ideas. Here are some tips for making your meals more satisfying and enjoyable.

Buy local

Shopping at your local Farmers' Market on a weekly or monthly basis gives you access to the freshest grown produce around. By eating what's in season you have an ability to expose your taste buds to a rainbow of nutrients, challenging you to expand the recipes in your personal cookbook.

Spice it up!

Don't be shy of adding flavor to your food. Spices, herbs, garlic and other seasonings add flavor and/or enhance the flavor of food. Grow some herbs in a pot, keep garlic on your staples list, and store dried herbs in your pantry for quick and effortless flavor.

Continue reading...

No Tears Shed for PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Dry Eye

Looks like women with PCOS can add yet another symptom to an already long list of complications associated with PCOS: Dry Eye.

Dry eye is a common condition, affecting an estimated 9 million Americans. Typically, individuals with dry eye experience some or all of the following:

• dryness
• discomfort
• itching
• redness
• vision problems
• burning or pain
• light sensitivity
• scratchy grainy sensation
• heavy or tired eyes

Contact lenses can make dry eye worse as they suck more moisture out of an already dry eye. Those with dry eyes know that the condition can affect the quality of life as dry eyes can impact your work and every aspect of your life. If not treated and managed, people with dry eyes can develop repeated eye infections that can eventually lead to scarring of your cornea and vision problems.

Continue reading...

What the New American Food Icon Means for Women with PCOS

Say goodbye to the food guide pyramid and hello to MyPlate. Yesterday, the USDA announced the launch of the new food icon for Americans and it's a circle, not a triangle. MyPlate is a food icon with the intent to prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times.

The new MyPlate icon emphasizes fruit, vegetable, grains, protein and dairy food groups (click on a particular food group on the plate for servings and suggestions) and provides the following recommendations:

BalancingCalories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals • and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

For more information about MyPlate visit www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.

Here are our pros and cons of this new icon and how it relates to PCOS:

Continue reading...

Becoming a Critical Reader of Nutrition Information for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age (more common than diabetes) yet so many women find themselves confused by the nutrition recommendations for the syndrome and don't know who to trust. Sometimes it seems as if every website out there for PCOS has conflicting nutrition information. Every doctor has a different opinion; every woman with the syndrome has their own views on what works or not and shares with others through social media outlets. Some individuals even try and make money off their unproven "theories" and try and sell products women with PCOS don't need.

As registered dietitians, sometimes we spend time in our nutrition counseling sessions for PCOS dispelling misinformation about diet for the syndrome and setting the record straight. These myths could be perceptions the client has acquired from health care providers, women with the syndrome themselves, family members or in most cases, the Internet. There's no question that media and Internet are the main sources where people get their nutrition information today. Unfortunately a lot of the information for PCOS is false and misleading and in some cases, dangerous.

Continue reading...

It's Your Time!

I hope all the mother's and soon-to-be moms out there had a wonderful Mother's Day. Shouldn't Mother's Day be every day? Mothers have one of the hardest jobs in the world, if not the hardest. They also are caregivers and have a tendency to put their own needs behind those of others. One of these needs includes making their own health a priority. As one patient shares, "if a doctor told me my child needs blood work done, it would be done right away but for me, it would be done whenever I got around to it."

This week marks National Women's Health Week. The theme is "It's Your Time", encouraging women to make health a priority-now. The campaign empowers women to take steps to improve their physical and emotional health and reduce the risk of certain diseases. These steps include:

Continue reading...

Why Weight Watchers May Not Be The Best Diet for PCOS

Unfortunately, by the time a lot of women come to The PCOS Nutrition Center, they have already tried -and failed- at least one diet. It is not surprising to hear that many women with PCOS have had a hard time losing weight on commercial diets as many of the diet plans don't address the central cause to the syndrome: insulin resistance.

Weight Watchers, perhaps the most popular commercial diet is one of these. We have had countless women in our office who have said that they have tried Weight Watchers but unlike their friends or family members who were also doing the diet, they weren't having much success at weight loss despite following the diet as prescribed.

In terms of weight loss, there are several reasons why most women with PCOS won't have much success with the Weight Watchers diet:

Continue reading...

New Metformin Warning: Mandatory Supplementation with Vitamin B12

Metformin, one of the most popular medications in the world, has been shown to cause a vitamin B12 deficiency. A vitamin B12 deficiency may be especially high among elderly individuals, persons who take a high dose of metformin and/or with long term treatment. A vitamin B12 deficiency is serious as it can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. Here's what you need to know to avoid a vitamin B12 deficency if you take metformin.

Continue reading...

Have PCOS and Not losing weight? It could be your GI.

Do you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and are struggling to lose weight? You're not alone. As many as 80% of women with PCOS are overweight. The reason? High insulin levels, the central cause of PCOS. When insulin levels are high, it causes our bodies to store fat, usually in our bellies. Weight loss is difficult because it's hard to break down fat if your body is in fat storage mode. In order to lose weight, you have to lower your insulin levels. You can lower insulin by diet, exercise and insulin-lowering medications (metformin). If you have been taking insulin sensitizers and are exercising and watching your diet and still aren't seeing results it could be the types of foods you are eating.

Continue reading...

Health Benefits of Eggs

Do you like eggs but aren't sure how they fit into the nutrition recommendations for PCOS? Well there is some good news: Eggs are a great diet component for women with PCOS. Not only are they are wonderful protein to include with meals and snacks but they are packed with nutrients that improve PCOS. Here's the scoop on what you need to know.

Eggs are a complete protein, which means it contains all the amino acids our body needs to maintain our muscles, eyes, nerves and tissues. The white of the egg contains most of this necessary protein. The egg yolk provides a good source of omega-3 fats, iron, folate, vitamins A, D, and E, thiamin, and choline. It is also in the yolk where you'll get lutein and zeaxanthin, important carotenoids for eye health including dry eye syndrome.

Continue reading...

What the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines mean to Women with PCOS

Did you hear the U.S. Government came out with new diet guidelines? The newly released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm) offer a practical roadmap to help people make changes in their eating plans to improve their health, according to the American Dietetic Association. Here are the highlights from these guidelines and what they mean for the health of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Overall, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines are favorable for women with PCOS. The Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat more:

• Whole grains
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese or fortified soy beverages
• Vegetable oils such as canola, corn, olive, peanut and soybean.
• Seafood

Continue reading...

New Risks of Birth Control Medications in Teens with PCOS

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have long been demonstrated as an effective treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Recognized for their ability to restore menstruation, OCPs can improve hormone levels, thus improving the unwanted side effects having too much testosterone can bring (acne, hair growth and thinning). Despite the benefits, a recent study indicates that OCPs should be used with caution in adolescents with PCOS. The reason? OCPs have been found to increase levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and heart disease, in teens with PCOS. OCPs have also been shown to increase LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) in adolescents with PCOS. Elevated levels of triglycerides (the blood storage form of fat) and a possible increase insulin resistance have already been associated with use of OCPs.

These findings bring cause for concern because young women with PCOS are already at a higher risk for developing heart disease and are insulin resistant. High levels of insulin usually results in higher levels of triglycerides, commonly seen in PCOS. Because OCPs can not only raise triglycerides, but LDL and CRP levels, OCPs may not be the most effective treatment for teens with PCOS.

Continue reading...

Quinoa: The Power Grain

Sure, you know the benefits of whole grains but did you know there are grains other than whole wheat? Quinoa, (pronounced KEEN-wa), is the powerhouse of grains and has quickly risen in popularity due to its excellent nutrition profile, texture and ease of use.

Quinoa seeds are small, flat and rounded, similar to that of sesame seeds. It has a nutty taste with a soft, crunchy texture. Quinoa provides all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein, and has approximately twice the protein as regular grains. Rich in B vitamins, vitamin A, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, fiber and calcium, this food is relatively high in unsaturated fat. Quinoa is technically not a grain but a fruit and is a great alternative to couscous or rice.

Continue reading...