photo used with permission from USDA
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.
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Probably the one advantage of having PCOS is the ability to build muscle thanks to high testosterone levels. Find out how women with PCOS can use this to their advantage by lifting weights to burn more calories and get stronger.
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The earlier PCOS is detected and treated, the better. In this article for Today’s Dietitian titled, Recognize Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Teens — The Importance of Early Detection and Treatment, I discuss specific factors affecting a young woman receiving a diagnosis of PCOS as well as treatment options and nutritional concerns.
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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 women with PCOS should know about taking probiotics.
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Diet and lifestyle are the primary treatment approaches for PCOS, 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. Some individuals even try and make money off their unproven “theories” and try and sell products women with PCOS don’t need. 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, misleading and in some cases, dangerous. If you are a woman with PCOS, it is important that you are doing the right thing for your body, and not making your health worse. You need to be a critical reader of the nutrition information you are flooded with before making changes to your health. Below are 4 ways to trust if the information is reliable.
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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. Find out how quinoa can fit into a healthy PCOS diet.
