weight gain

An Exciting New Approach for PCOS Sufferers

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picture of a woman with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome trying to eat right for PCOS
How to Manage PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) impacts many aspects of a woman’s health. This disease affects her moods, her weight, and her fertility, among many other things. This surprisingly common condition is difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s in part because conventional medicine practices are often geared towards tackling the symptoms without truly getting to the underlying reasons for those symptoms. Natural treatments for PCOS address this frustrating condition from all angles. We address the whole system with a special focus on fixing the root cause.

What Is PCOS?

Simply put, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal problem that affects women during their reproductive years. It’s marked by irregular ovulation. Many, but not all women, also experience higher than normal levels of the “male” hormones or androgens such as testosterone. The name refers to changes that occur in the ovaries when eggs don’t develop properly and get released. Your ovaries become filled with small cysts as a result of these hormonal imbalances.

Because PCOS is difficult to diagnose it’s a bit uncertain how common it is. Estimates say that about 5 to 10 percent of women experience it during their reproductive years.

The Symptoms of PCOS

The symptoms of PCOS often start to appear slowly and worsen over time. These changes are often easy to dismiss as normal. They may be common, but they are far from normal.

If you experience the following symptoms, it is time to talk to a naturopathic doctor:

Irregular Periods

Some women with PCOS cease to menstruate at all. Others get a period every 5-8 weeks. Some will develop very heavy and/or painful periods.

Infertility or Difficulty Conceiving

Cystic ovaries, as well as the accompanying hormonal imbalances, make conception difficult. The cysts indicate irregular ovulation. The conditions are clearly not ideal to release a good quality egg. This leads to the need for extra interventions to get and stay pregnant. Correcting the hormone imbalances that cause PCOS allows eggs to mature and get released normally, improving fertility.

Weight Gain

Are you gaining weight without any particular change in your diet or lifestyle, especially around your belly? Women with PCOS often develop an “apple” shape in which their body fat collects in their torso area. Thyroid problems also trigger weight gain and irregular periods. It’s important to have thorough hormone and thyroid testing done to identify the cause of unexplained weight gain.

Acne

Male hormones contribute to facial and back acne. They are particularly associated with deep, painful cystic-type acne along your jawline. Other skin conditions such as dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans) and skin tags also often go hand-in-hand with PCOS.

Hirsutism

Hirsutism means the presence of extra hair on your face and body. You may particularly notice it on your upper lip, chest, and back as a result of hormonal imbalances.

Hair Loss

Women with PCOS endure not only excess hair in undesirable locations, but also loss of hair, thinning hair, or lack of hair growth on their heads.

Mood Changes

The changes in hormones that accompany PCOS bring on an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Hormones regulate how well your neurotransmitter receptors in your brain work. The neurotransmitter receptors that take up your feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin, and your calm and relaxed neurotransmitter, GABA, don’t work properly without the right levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

What Are The Underlying Causes Of PCOS?

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a major factor in PCOS. About 70 percent of women with PCOS also have insulin resistance. Obesity, high blood sugar, inactivity, and stress all lead to insulin resistance. However, in PCOS insulin resistance seems to be both a symptom and a driver of the condition. Despite common misconceptions, insulin resistance affects all body types, not just overweight women. Thin women can be insulin resistant too.

Genetics

It is very difficult to determine one precise cause for PCOS. Many factors contribute to its development. Genetics do play a role, however, so if your mother or sister has PCOS, you are more likely to develop it too. A parent or grandparent with type II diabetes also raises red flags about your risk for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Weight

Carrying extra weight also contributes to PCOS. Of course, this creates a frustrating dynamic since PCOS makes you more likely to keep gaining weight. These hormonal imbalances also make it harder to lose that extra weight. Correcting the hormone problems is the key to losing the weight.

Stress

As well as the more measurable factors, some research suggests that high stress levels play a role in the development of PCOS. That’s because stress wreaks havoc on your hormones. Stress increases cortisol production, increasing blood sugar, resulting in an overproduction of insulin. Higher insulin leads to higher testosterone.

PCOS Frustration

Not only is it difficult to diagnose PCOS, it is also tricky to treat. Conventional treatment simply masks the symptoms by putting women with PCOS on birth control pills. The pill provides an artificially induced period each month. The hormones in the pill cover up the symptoms.

One clear flaw to this approach is that birth control pills won’t help women who are trying to conceive. More importantly, this approach isn’t getting to the root of the problem, in fact, it may actually make it worse. You see, birth control pills that contain estrogen raise blood sugar levels in addition to carrying other health risks. The goal should be to restore overall health, not to add the potential for more problems.

The Natural Approach To PCOS

A naturopathic approach considers the whole person in treating PCOS, or any other health problem. That means addressing the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances. The goal is to improve all aspects of a person’s health – and consequently, reduce Polycystic Ovary symptoms.

Treatment starts with a thorough evaluation of your health history as well as thorough hormone testing. Although the exact protocols will vary by patient, here are some proven tips for treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Weight Loss Plan

If you’re overweight, work with your naturopathic doctor to create a healthy weight-loss plan. Losing even small amounts of weight can make a big difference in PCOS symptoms. Even losing 10% of your current weight helps. However, you want to approach weight loss in a way that doesn’t create more stress on your body. Stress has a negative effect on insulin levels. That’s why it’s important to work with your naturopathic doctor.

Get Enough Sleep

A good night’s sleep is an essential part of hormone regulation. Interestingly, studies have found that sleep problems are twice as common for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Hormone imbalance contributes to sleep dysregulation. Getting your hormones better balanced will help you go to sleep and stay asleep. So be sure to pay attention to your sleep habits.

Get some healthy exercise for PCOS

Moderate exercise helps with weight loss. It also relieves stress and balances your cortisol levels. One study found that a mix of high-intensity interval training and strength training helps women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome specifically. However, talk to your naturopathic doctor about the best approach for you as many women with Polycystic Ovaries do better with gentle exercise. Very heavy weight training increases a potent form of testosterone known as DHT and may make symptoms worse.

Natural, Whole Food Diet

Eating whole foods without preservatives or other endocrine disruptors is the best approach to fully nourishing your body’s intricate, endocrine system.

Balance Protein And Carbs

You don’t have to eliminate carbs altogether, but do try to reduce your intake. If you do eat them, choose unprocessed, low glycemic index, complex carbs. Balance them with sources of lean protein. As well, keep your blood sugar stable by eating 3 meals at regular intervals. Intermittent fasting is an effective way to lower insulin levels.

Improve Gut Health

By improving your gut health to reduce inflammation and improve elimination, probiotics help to regulate your hormone levels. Prebiotic fiber also helps correct imbalances in your gut flora. It also fuels a healthy gut lining. Your microbiome impacts not only your digestive and immune systems but also has an impact on your metabolism, weight and blood sugar levels as well.

Choose Foods High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are the building blocks for anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. These are chemicals in your body that reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a common phenomenon in women with PCOS. A deficiency in EFAs is also very common. Good food sources include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring or sardines, as well as eggs, nuts, and seeds.

Talk to your naturopathic doctor about supplementation

Depending on your personal profile, helpful supplements could include magnesium, vitamin D, and calcium. In particular, inositol (a B vitamin, also called vitamin B8) is effective treatment. Chromium helps your body to metabolize sugar and stabilize your blood glucose levels. The right hormone testing and nutrient testing by your naturopath uncovers any deficiencies that you may have. It helps us devise a uniquely targeted supplement protocol based on your specific needs. There is no “one size fits all” approach.

Take Control of Your Hormones

Yes, this disease is frustrating. However, much research has been done recently on functional medicine testing and effective natural, holistic treatments. By treating your body as an integrated set of systems, you can get to the bottom of your symptoms and get on the path towards true balance and long term well-being.

Ready to take control of your hormones? Call the clinic at 416.481.0222 or book online and we can get started!

Medically reviewed by Naturopath Dr Pamela Frank

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References

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/591654/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464617307727

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277302/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4135453/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28595797

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pcos

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250088/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5655679/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5461594/

Tips for Staying Young

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older woman staying young after 50

Staying Young: Healthy Aging Over 50

By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND

One of the common myths about aging is that you just have to accept the symptoms of ageing: weight gain, poor sleep, cognitive decline, hot flashes, wrinkles and thinning hair.  Here are my best tips for healthy aging, slowing or reversing these symptoms and staying young at any age:

Weight Gain

What you could eat and get away with before you hit 50 and what you can eat and get away with after 50 is going to be different. Why? Your body’s ability to tolerate foods that increase blood sugar and require insulin decreases when estrogen goes down at menopause. What does that mean? You need to decrease your intake of carbs and sugar after 50 to prevent or stop weight gain. I recommend no more than 60-80 grams of carbs per day, preferably from fruit and vegetables and low glycemic index whole grains. Stay active. Your metabolism slows down as you get older, making it that much more important to stay physically active and keep burning those extra calories. If you find that aching joints are slowing you down, seeing a chiropractor, naturopathic doctor or osteopath may help.

Bone Density

Maintaining regular exercise after 50 is important for maintaining bone density. The single best way to get all the nutrients you need to maintain healthy bones and teeth is to consume bone broth with a handful of spinach every day. Bone broth is literally bones of any type that are cooked for 6-8 hours with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. The liquid is full of all of the minerals for healthy bones as well as the necessary ingredients to make collagen, another major constituent of bones. Our registered dietitian can help you create a meal plan to optimize bone health.

Hot Flashes/Night Sweats

Hot flashes are a signal of inflammation from your body. The best way to reduce those signals is to identify your triggers and make an effort to limit or avoid them. For many women sugar, stress, caffeine, lack of sleep and dairy products are hot flash triggers. Start by avoiding these and see if it helps and try journaling the frequency of hot flashes, time of day, feelings at the time and foods that are associated with your hot flashes to see what your specific triggers are. If stress is a trigger, seeing a psychotherapist to brainstorm stress-busting strategies may help. Acupuncture has been shown in research to help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women.

Cognitive Decline

Staying young by maintaining your brain health is as important if not more important than maintaining physical health. Hormone balance and low levels of inflammation are important to maintaining cognitive function. Your adrenal glands become increasingly important as you age. They help you maintain a certain level of hormonal health by producing hormones like cortisol, DHEAs and testosterone. The latter two are building blocks to build estrogen so that even post-menopause you can still maintain a healthy post-menopause estrogen level. Reducing intake of inflammatory foods like sugar, dairy and gluten can also help keep your brain healthy as well as your gut.  Increasing your Omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins and magnesium can keep your brain running smoothly too.

Thinning Hair or Hair Loss

Adrenal gland health helps to maintain a healthy, full head of hair. If you see more hair falling when you are under stress, that may be a sign that your adrenal glands need supporting. These vital organs sit on top of your kidneys and help you deal with stress, help manage your blood sugar and blood pressure, help to balance hormones and reduce inflammation. They need substantial amounts of vitamin C, B5, B6, Magnesium and Zinc to function at their best. Targeting these specific vitamins and minerals often help with hair, but also stress, energy, and hormone balance. Extensive blood work can help identify the specific cause of your hair loss. Our ND’s can assist you with getting the right blood work done and ensuring that your levels are optimal for hair growth.

Skin Health

My two best “staying young” tips for your skin are: avoid sugar and eat bone broth. Sugar increases the need for insulin which promotes inflammation. Inflammation contributes to ageing and redness of your skin. Bone broth contains multiple vitamins, minerals and gelatin, all of which help your body make collagen, the support structure or scaffolding for your skin.  Vitamin C, and the amino acids lysine and proline are the other necessary constituents to make healthy collagen. Collagen also helps to keep your joints healthy.  You can take collagen supplements, but personally, I prefer the all-around nourishment of bone broth.

Poor Sleep

Maintaining strict sleep hygiene becomes ultra-important after 50. Good sleep helps us with staying young physically and mentally.  Any little thing that wasn’t a problem before 50 can disrupt sleep after 50. For optimal sleep, shut down any screen time by 8 p.m., make sure you are getting enough physical activity but do it early in the day, use blackout curtains in your bedroom, avoid sweets and alcohol in the evening, engage in relaxing activities in the evening, aim to be in bed by 10 p.m. and cut yourself off caffeine after noon. If stress is keeping you awake, talking it over with a psychotherapist may help.

Food Addiction: Eatertainment

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Woman overeating because of a food addiction

Food Addiction, it’s a Thing

Patients often tell me that they eat when they are either bored or lonely. They can be very structured and disciplined with their diet otherwise, but this emotional eating is their dietary undoing. It doesn’t help that food manufacturers strive to make foods as addictive as possible. There was an excellent book review on eating as entertainment and food addiction in the New Yorker several years ago. I’ve borrowed this excerpt from it because I couldn’t have written it better:

“David A. Kessler, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, says that it’s not that sweet and oily foods have become less expensive; it’s that they’ve been re-engineered while we weren’t looking.  Kessler spends a lot of time meeting with (often anonymous) consultants who describe how they are trying to fashion products that offer what has become known in the food industry as “eatertainment.” Fat, sugar, and salt turn out to be the crucial elements in this quest: different“eatertaining” items mix these ingredients in different but invariably highly caloric combinations. A food scientist for Frito-Lay relates how the company is seeking to create “a lot of fun in your mouth” with products like Nacho Cheese Doritos, which meld “three different cheese notes” with lots of salt and oil. Another product-development expert talks about how she is trying to “unlock the code of craveability,” and a third about the effort to “cram as much hedonism as you can in one dish.”

Kessler invents his own term—“conditioned hypereating”—to describe how people respond to these laboratory-designed concoctions. Foods like Cinnabons and Starbucks’ Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos are, he maintains, like drugs: “Conditioned hypereating works the same way as other ‘stimulus response’ disorders in which reward is involved, such as compulsive gambling and substance abuse.” For Kessler, the analogy is not merely rhetorical: research on rats, he maintains, proves that the animals’ brains react to sweet, fatty foods the same way that addicts’ respond to cocaine.”

If you would like to read the whole article, which is excellent, here’s the
link:

XXXL: Why are we so fat? By

If you are struggling with food addiction, get healthy eating advice from our naturopathic doctors. Book now.