National PCOS Awareness Month!!!
As someone who has personally suffered with PCOS, I have made it my life's mission to help other women improve and control their symptoms in their day to day lives!
Not only do I specialize in PCOS management but I have also created my Detox 14 Day Program to help kickstart your journey back to optimal health. This detox program is DOCTOR RECOMMENDED and APPROVED and is a huge step to controlling your PCOS!!!
This is the 1st post of a two part blog series, stay tuned for PART TWO where I break down exactly which foods your should be consuming and which you should be avoiding if you suffer from PCOS. Please share this email with any one you know who may be dealing with PCOS and invite them to sign up for my Bi-Monthly Newsletter so that they get a reminder for PART TWO!
Also, look for Alternative Wellness Solutions on Facebook & Instagram to see my posts and stories for extra support in improving your health naturally!
Let's dive in, first things first.....What is PCOS?
PCOS is an acronym for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome -
PCOS has many definitions, I identify it as an insulin resistant, hormonal and metabolic chronic condition that effects 1 in 10 women within childbearing years. I believe that PCOS symptoms occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because it is a syndrome, it can present a variety of symptoms, with not all cases looking the same.
Diagnosis is generally based on at least two of the following findings: no ovulation, high androgen levels, increased blood sugar markers and ovarian cysts. Cysts may be detectable by ultrasound, but a woman may still have PCOS with the absence of cysts on the ovaries.
What do PCOS symptoms look like:
- Irregular menstrual cycles including the absence of or heavy periods
- excess body and facial hair
- acne on face, back and chest
- female pattern balding
- pelvic pain
- difficulty getting pregnant
- high insulin, glucose and/or A1C
- weight gain/obesity
- mood disorders including anxiety and depression
- chronic fatigue
- gastrointestinal discomfort
How does food directly impact PCOS
Because PCOS is an insulin resistant condition, food, specifically high sugar foods, play a huge roll in activating and suppressing PCOS symptoms. Furthermore, the toxic burden from unhealthy foods very strongly affects the severity of PCOS symptoms. These toxins are hormone disruptors which interfere with our bodies natural hormone signaling and functionality, directly impacting our sex hormones including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and precursors such as DHEA and pregnenolone. Additionally, these toxins are clogging our cells, enabling us from absorbing our life-giving critical micronutrients.
So what are the 1st steps to take if you are suffering from PCOS!?!
Detox, Detox, Detox!
How to Detox your Body and Jumpstart an Anti-inflammatory Diet for PCOS
Hit the reset button with the AWS PCOS DETOX! This program is purging the toxins from your cells while also jumpstarting new eating habits for lifelong success in managing PCOS. With these combined efforts, you can potentially reverse these nasty PCOS symptoms so that you can thrive and live a healthy and symptom free life!
Check out my video below and click on the link provided to learn more about my Doctor recommended AWS THRIVE Detox!
Why should I work with a Certified Nutritionist if I have PCOS
I believe that detoxification is the fist step in reversing your PCOS symptoms and managing this chronic condition.
It is important to understand that PCOS is not a disease, it is a syndrome. I point this out for a couple of reasons:
Syndromes are generally chronic conditions that need to be actively and appropriately managed lifelong, so when you start feeling better, remain proactive. If you sink into old habits, your symptoms will likely return. So it is important to learn not just how to obtain optimal health, but to maintain it as well.
Syndromes come with a cluster of symptoms that occur together. We are all unique individuals; you may need more support in different areas to achieve optimal success. Your PCOS treatment may not look just like your sisters from another mister, it is important that it is tailored to your needs.
Studies show that there are different “types” of PCOS. Some women’s symptoms are more driven by hormone imbalance, other PCOS symptoms are more insulin reactive while other is more due to cortisol production & adrenal fatigue .
Once you have completed your AWS Detox, consider working with me, or a functional medicine practitioner who can address core issues such as GI health, toxic burdens, hormonal imbalance, adrenal and cortisol conditions and more advanced management of insulin resistance so that you can get lasting relief from PCOS!
Stay tuned for my next blog post to find out what diet, lifestyle, and supplementations I recommend to achieve optimal health and get your life back!