If you have PCOS and have been told by your doctor that you have a fatty liver, you aren’t alone. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), commonly referred to as fatty liver, is highly prevalent in women with PCOS, affecting 15% to 55% of women depending on the diagnostic criteria used. The good news is that fatty liver disease is reversible. Here’s what to know.
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Pregnancy can be an exciting time for women with PCOS, especially because so many of them may have been trying to conceive for years, with or without fertility treatments. However, having PCOS and being pregnant does pose some concerns. Some women who have undergone fertility treatments may carry multiple babies and will have special dietary and medical needs. Also, because many women with PCOS have hormonal imbalances and are overweight or obese, they are at higher risk for miscarriage and complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Proper medical management and medical nutrition therapy are imperative to prevent the onset of these complications and optimize fetal growth and development.
Researchers know more than ever about the influence of nutrition on a person’s fertility. A healthy diet not only can improve the metabolic and reproductive factors associated with PCOS but egg development and ovulation too. Here are some clinically-proven ways to eat to improve your fertility and get your body ready to support a healthy pregnancy.
You have more control over your fertility than you think! While there’s a lot of focus on eating well during pregnancy and your diet and lifestyle before you conceive can be just as important–not just for conception but for your child’s future health too. Factors that can affect fertility include age, body weight, diet, tobacco smoke, stress, alcohol, exercise, chemicals in the environment, medications, and street drugs. And we’re not just talking for moms here-—dad’s diet and lifestyle count too.
These carrots make a quick and sweet side dish. Recipe from The PCOS Nutrition Center Cookbook: 100 Easy and Delicious Whole Food Recipes to Beat PCOS.
Over 40 million Americans have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and women with PCOS have more than their share. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include excess gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation. If your doctor says you have IBS, you might want to consider the FODMAP approach to managing your symptoms. This evidence-based diet can help up to 75% of IBS-sufferers get symptom relief.
