5-10% of women in the US suffer to some degree with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. Although many women with PCOS do not know what is wrong with them, they all understand that something is not quite right.
Symptoms of PCOS include:
Infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods at all, and/or irregular bleeding during menstrual periods
Infertility, lack of ovulation
Increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes
Acne, oily skin or dandruff
Pelvic pain
Weight gain or obesity, usually carrying excess weight around the waist
Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood sugar
Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
Patches of thickened and darker skin on the neck, arms, breasts or thighs
Skin tags in the armpits or neck area
Sleep apnea or excessive snoring
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition in which women's bodies have high levels of male hormones, or androgens, they have an irregular menstrual cycle or none at all, and they may have many small cysts in their ovaries.
No cause has been found for PCOS, and there is no way of knowing who will have it. There may be a genetic link, but this has not been proven. There also may be a link to insulin resistance, the body's inability to properly produce and use insulin to regulate blood sugar.
Life with PCOS is often miserable, with severe menstrual pain, excruciating pain when large cysts develop, irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, obesity, and a general feeling of things not being right.
What's more, not only is PCOS itself difficult to live with, causing major problems for the women who suffer from it, but it creates long-term risks as well.
Irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation produce estrogen but not progesterone, which cases the endometrium to shed each month. This can eventually lead to endometrial hyperplasia or cancer.
Women with PCOS are at a higher risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The earlier in life the symptoms are brought under control, the better the prognosis for a healthy life.
There are several natural supplements and vitamins which can help with PCOS symptoms and bring the condition under control, improving not only the PCOS but also overall health, and decreasing the risks for serious long-term illnesses.
First, a good multivitamin and mineral are called for to increase overall health.
Chromium is well-known as a PCOS treatment because it helps with insulin usage by encouraging the formation of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), a substance produced by the liver which makes insulin more effective. A deficiency in chromium can lead to insulin resistance, which seems to be a lead factor in PCOS.
B Vitamins help control PCOS symptoms, including controlling weight and hormone balance.
Zinc is necessary for the correct behavior of many hormones, including insulin, and is crucial to overall health.
Magnesium deficiency has been linked to insulin resistance, which is a major element in PCOS.
Agnus Castus (chastetree berry) helps to regulate pituitary gland function, and is very important for PCOS treatment.
Saw Palmetto, which is often used for treatment of prostate conditions, functions to prevent excess levels of testosterone.
PCOS is a miserable and potentially very serious condition, but there are natural treatments available, and it can be treated effectively.
Friday, November 24, 2006
The Unrecognized Disease: Insulin Resistance
Before discussing what insulin resistance is, it might be useful to explain exactly what insulin is, because there is a very low awareness among most people about this hormone. We hear the term "insulin-dependent diabetes," but we don't really know what insulin is.
The hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, helps the body use glucose, or blood sugar. Insulin binds with receptors on cells, much like a key fitting a lock. Insulin resistance is a condition where, to continue the metaphor, the doors have too many locks. The cells cannot accept the insulin.
When the insulin is not accepted by the cells, the pancreas secretes more insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar. The more insulin resistance, the more insulin the body creates. In about 1/3 of the people with insulin resistance, when the cells do not respond to the higher levels of insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. This high blood glucose is known as Type 2 Diabetes, and is a direct result of insulin resistance.
Not everyone with insulin resistance develops diabetes, and researchers have not discovered what causes some individuals to develop the disease while others do not.
However, the risk of diabetes is clearly high for those with insulin resistance.
While insulin resistance is still not widely known, it is becoming more recognized as more people in the U.S. become obese and/or physically inactive, and this is being reported more by news organizations and healthcare agencies.
Obese/physically inactive people are more likely to be insulin resistant, which can lead to an increased level of blood fat, or triglycerides, and a decrease in HDL, which is the good cholesterol. These two imbalances can increase the risk for heart disease.
Thus, insulin resistance can directly influence heart health, and that has become a focus for health reporting.
Another problem related to insulin resistance is Syndrome X, a collection of risk factors for heart disease, including hypertriglyceridmia (high blood lipid), low HDL-cholesterol, hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin), and often hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypertension (high blood sugar). All of these conditions are influenced by insulin resistance and the group together poses a high risk for heart disease.
Insulin resistance is present in almost all individuals with Type 2 diabetes and in many with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Women with polycystic ovarian disorder are generally insulin resistant. About 20-25% of "healthy" people may actually be insulin resistant.
There are natural treatments which can greatly decrease insulin resistance and the health risks that go along with being insulin resistant.
Vitamin E improves glucose metabolism and insulin absorption.
Chromium lowers glucose levels as well as cholesterol levels, and is best taken as chromium picolinate.
The B Vitamins, especially B6 and B12, and folic acid, help prevent complications in those with diabetes.
Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common health problems, and since diabetics especially do not absorb magnesium well, this supplement is recommended for anyone at risk for diabetes.
Lipoic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant, also improves insulin sensitivity and is a must for anyone with insulin deficiency.
Vanadium is believed by some experts to be the most important supplement for insulin resistance. It activates the insulin receptors in the same way insulin does, and can effectively lower glucose levels.
American ginseng, in recent studies, has been proven to prevent the spike in blood sugar that follows a meal.
Because many diabetics are deficient in the hormone DHEA, fish oil has been found useful in blood sugar control.
Supplements, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can greatly increase overall health and reduce insulin resistance, also reducing the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
Before discussing what insulin resistance is, it might be useful to explain exactly what insulin is, because there is a very low awareness among most people about this hormone. We hear the term "insulin-dependent diabetes," but we don't really know what insulin is.
The hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, helps the body use glucose, or blood sugar. Insulin binds with receptors on cells, much like a key fitting a lock. Insulin resistance is a condition where, to continue the metaphor, the doors have too many locks. The cells cannot accept the insulin.
When the insulin is not accepted by the cells, the pancreas secretes more insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar. The more insulin resistance, the more insulin the body creates. In about 1/3 of the people with insulin resistance, when the cells do not respond to the higher levels of insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. This high blood glucose is known as Type 2 Diabetes, and is a direct result of insulin resistance.
Not everyone with insulin resistance develops diabetes, and researchers have not discovered what causes some individuals to develop the disease while others do not.
However, the risk of diabetes is clearly high for those with insulin resistance.
While insulin resistance is still not widely known, it is becoming more recognized as more people in the U.S. become obese and/or physically inactive, and this is being reported more by news organizations and healthcare agencies.
Obese/physically inactive people are more likely to be insulin resistant, which can lead to an increased level of blood fat, or triglycerides, and a decrease in HDL, which is the good cholesterol. These two imbalances can increase the risk for heart disease.
Thus, insulin resistance can directly influence heart health, and that has become a focus for health reporting.
Another problem related to insulin resistance is Syndrome X, a collection of risk factors for heart disease, including hypertriglyceridmia (high blood lipid), low HDL-cholesterol, hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin), and often hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypertension (high blood sugar). All of these conditions are influenced by insulin resistance and the group together poses a high risk for heart disease.
Insulin resistance is present in almost all individuals with Type 2 diabetes and in many with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Women with polycystic ovarian disorder are generally insulin resistant. About 20-25% of "healthy" people may actually be insulin resistant.
There are natural treatments which can greatly decrease insulin resistance and the health risks that go along with being insulin resistant.
Vitamin E improves glucose metabolism and insulin absorption.
Chromium lowers glucose levels as well as cholesterol levels, and is best taken as chromium picolinate.
The B Vitamins, especially B6 and B12, and folic acid, help prevent complications in those with diabetes.
Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common health problems, and since diabetics especially do not absorb magnesium well, this supplement is recommended for anyone at risk for diabetes.
Lipoic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant, also improves insulin sensitivity and is a must for anyone with insulin deficiency.
Vanadium is believed by some experts to be the most important supplement for insulin resistance. It activates the insulin receptors in the same way insulin does, and can effectively lower glucose levels.
American ginseng, in recent studies, has been proven to prevent the spike in blood sugar that follows a meal.
Because many diabetics are deficient in the hormone DHEA, fish oil has been found useful in blood sugar control.
Supplements, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can greatly increase overall health and reduce insulin resistance, also reducing the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
Alzheimer's: Don’t Be a Victim
There is a misconception, particularly in the United States, that Alzheimer's disease is a normal part of aging. Because of this misconception, the disease is accepted as something you will definitely face as you age, and you might as well get used to the idea.
The fact is, Alzheimer's is not unavoidable, and it is not just a normal part of aging. Alzheimer's disease is just that--a disease. No one knows what causes it or who will be affected by it, but we do know what it is, and we know ways to reduce our risk.
We do not have to live in fear of developing Alzheimer's disease.
First, we should know exactly what Alzheimer's disease is. It's a progressive, degenerative disease affecting the brain. Cells in the brain shrink, or disappear altogether, and are replaced with plaque. Thread-like structures of plaque choke off healthy brain cells.
All of this causes the brain to cease functioning correctly, which results in loss of mental and physical abilities and changes in behavior.
You're probably very familiar with the advanced symptoms of Alzheimer's, including loss of memory and inability to function on one's own.
You may not be aware of some of the warning signs of Alzheimer's, including:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty in performing routine tasks like balancing a checkbook
- Forgetting simple words more often than before
- Difficulty being understood when you speak
- Misplacing items, i.e. putting the phone in the refrigerator
- Mental confusion, such as getting lost on your own street
Many of these are things we all do occasionally; of course the point at which they become warning signs is the point at which they become abnormal for you.
Avoiding Alzheimer's is not as easy as one would hope, because no one knows what causes it or who is likely to get it. But there are things you can do to help reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer's.
Exercise, according to a 5-year study in Canada, cuts the risk not only of Alzheimer's but of other forms of mental decline and dementia, particularly in women. The more you exercise, the more your brain is sheltered from the risks of Alzheimer's.
According to the study, those who exercised the most were half as likely as inactive people to develop Alzheimer's disease and 40% less likely to suffer other forms of mental decline and dementia.
But even low levels of activity decreased risk for mental decline, dementia and Alzheimer's.
Doctors believe that medications designed to lower blood cholesterol may protect against the development of Alzheimer's. One natural supplement used for cholesterol, red yeast extract, is a natural statin; the very substance doctors believe can reduce chances of Alzheimer's.
Folic acid and vitamins C and E are believed to help prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer's, as well, and are very good for overall health. The antioxidant properties of these vitamins help prevent neuron damage in the brain and reduce the risks of mental decline.
One of the best things you can do to prevent Alzheimer's is to keep your brain active. Read, take courses, play games, do crossword puzzles, and have intellectual conversations. Keep your brain active; keep developing new connections in your brain.
There are no guarantees against Alzheimer's, but there are steps you can take, naturally, to protect your brain, and your mind, against this horrible illness.
Nutrasweet-Not So Sweet After All
While sugar is often seen as "bad" these days, and aspartame as "good"-- it is useful to look at the real facts surrounding this food additive.
It is also useful to point out that sugar, after all, is a natural substance, one that our bodies know how to deal with. Rather than substituting another, chemical, substance for sugar, it might be far better to limit our sugar intake and improve our overall diets to make better use of the natural foods available to us.
It is not well-known that aspartame, which may also appear on food labels as "acesulfame-k" or "sunette" can cause a variety of health symptoms, including:
- seizures and convulsions
- dizziness
- tremors
- migraines and severe headaches
- memory loss (common toxicity effects)
- slurring of speech
- confusion
- numbness or tingling of extremities
- chronic fatigue
- depression
- insomnia
- irritability
- panic attacks (common aspartame toxicity reaction)
- marked personality changes
- phobias
- rapid heart beat, tachycardia (another frequent reaction)
- asthma
- chest pains
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- swallowing pain
- itching
- hives / urticaria
- other allergic reactions
- blood sugar control problems (e.g., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia)
- menstrual cramps and other menstrual problems or changes
- impotency and sexual problems
- food cravings
- weight gain
- hair loss / baldness or thinning of hair
- burning urination & other urination problems
- excessive thirst or excessive hunger
- bloating, edema (fluid retention)
- infection susceptibility
- joint pain
Aspartame disease, or chronic aspartame intake, can also mimic many serious illnesses, including:
depression and other psychological disorders
While aspartame seems safe, and while many organizations promote its safety, most of these organizations are in some way sponsored by or related to the companies that manufacture and use aspartame.
The best way to know the truth about aspartame is to get completely off of all aspartame products for at least 60 days, and measure the positive difference in your health and well-being at that point.
When you're avoiding aspartame, make sure you read labels carefully, because even items you would not expect to have aspartame in them may contain this substance. Almost any "light" or "diet" food, from soda to salad dressing, is a good candidate for aspartame and should be avoided.
Remember, rather than trying to avoid sugar by substituting aspartame, try eating more natural fruits and vegetables and less processed food. This is the best way to avoid aspartame and other harmful substances.
Once you've been off of aspartame for 60 days, if you're still not convinced of the health effects, try going back on it for 10 days and see how you feel then. You'll see a marked difference after just a short time of going back on aspartame.
If you are a diabetic and wish to balance your sugar levels naturally, go to our Blood Sugar Formulas to read more about various all natural products that can help you.
We recommend, NEVER using NutraSweet. It is a poison and neural toxin.
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