Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder affecting millions of women worldwide. While its exact cause remains elusive, mounting evidence points to insulin resistance as a key player in the development and progression of PCOS. At Revivo Health, we take a comprehensive Functional Medicine approach to understand and address the intricate relationship between insulin resistance and PCOS.
Understanding Insulin Resistance in PCOS
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Insulin resistance occurs when cells become less responsive to insulin’s effects, forcing the body to produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. This compensatory increase in insulin production can lead to a cascade of hormonal imbalances that contribute to PCOS symptoms.
Research has shown a strong link between insulin resistance and PCOS:
- Prevalence: Studies estimate that 50-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, regardless of their body weight.
- Increased Diabetes Risk: Women with PCOS have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with some estimates suggesting a 5-10 fold increased risk compared to women without PCOS.
- Impact on Ovarian Function: Elevated insulin levels stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens (male hormones), leading to symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Women’s health and women’s healthcare concept with uterus
How Insulin Resistance Contributes to PCOS Symptoms?
Insulin resistance plays a central role in many of the symptoms seen in PCOS:
- Hyperandrogenism: Elevated insulin levels stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, leading to symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, and male-pattern hair loss.
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Insulin resistance can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones needed for regular ovulation, resulting in irregular or absent periods.
- Fertility Issues: The hormonal imbalances caused by insulin resistance can interfere with egg development and ovulation, making it more difficult to conceive.
- Weight Gain: Insulin resistance promotes fat storage and make weight loss more challenging for women with PCOS.
- Skin Changes: Insulin resistance is associated with skin changes like skin tags and acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety patches of skin) in PCOS patients.
It may be worthwhile mentioning that even if you are not diagnosed with PCOS, you may still experience some or all of the symptoms mentioned as they can be seen in insulin resistance even with the absence of PCOS.
Addressing Insulin Resistance in PCOS: The Revivo Health Approach
At Revivo Health, we take a comprehensive and personalized approach to addressing insulin resistance in PCOS. Our strategies may include, but are not limited to:
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Dietary Modifications
- Adopting a low-glycemic diet to stabilize blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Increasing fiber intake to improve insulin resistance.
- Increasing protein intake.
- Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce insulin resistance.
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Regular Exercise
Both aerobic exercise and resistance training have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and improve PCOS.
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Stress Management
Chronic stress can exacerbate insulin resistance. If needed, we’ll work with you to develop stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.
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Sleep Optimization
Poor sleep quality and duration have been linked to insulin resistance and a whole range of other chronic conditions. We’ll help you prioritize good sleep hygiene to boost your health and well-being.
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Targeted Supplementation
- Inositol: This B-vitamin-like compound can increase insulin sensitivity and improve. ovulation
- Berberine: This plant compound has been found to improve insulin resistance and may be as effective as metformin according to some studies.
- Chromium can help improve insulin sensitivity
- Alpha-lipoic acid is an anti-oxidant and can help reduce insulin resistance.
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Medications
In some cases, we may initially recommend insulin-sensitizing medications like metformin to help manage insulin resistance in PCOS. However, generally, we find and prefer to treat insulin resistance and PCOS without the use of prescription drugs.
At Revivo Health, we understand that every woman’s experience with PCOS is unique. Our Functional Medicine approach allows us to dig deep into the root causes of your PCOS symptoms, including insulin resistance. We work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
By addressing insulin resistance through lifestyle modifications, targeted supplementation, and, when necessary, medication, it’s possible to significantly improve PCOS symptoms and overall health. More importantly, we go beyond just improving the symptoms – we want to identify and remove the root causes of the conditions. Remember, reversing PCOS is a journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Don’t let PCOS control your life. Contact Revivo Health today to start your journey towards better health and hormonal balance.
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[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9665922/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277302/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10675950/
[4] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-37513-2
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[6] https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/18/6/774/2530788
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