Originally Posted by
turtlelover
I have PCOS. Here are some things that have really helped me to improve my symptoms over the last 3 years and lose over 50 pounds, lower my blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides, restore normal cycles, and reduce some of my hair symptoms:
1)Low carb - high fat - moderate protein diet -- VERY low in grains and sugar. I try to stay under 60 grams of carbs/day, though I occasionally go over. What I eat resembles the maintenance stages of the Atkins diet. If I want to lose weight, I lower my carbs. I eat a LOT of traditionally "bad" diet foods like nuts, eggs, bacon, and high fat meat. I eat a TON of green salads, too.
2)Exercise - I am not a devout exerciser, but I try to do SOMETHING active at least 4 times/week alternating between strength training and cardio. Even if I am too lazy to work up a sweat, it helps.
3)I take a LOT of supplements. Taking as many as I do would probably drive most people nuts, but I absolutely feel 100% better when taking them. Here is the list of what I take currently for PCOS/blood sugar/autoimmune issues:
Synergy basic multivitamin from Vitacost (LOVE this supplement -- it has sooo many good things in it!)
Vitamin D 5000 I.U.s (I am deficient, as is common in people w/ PCOS)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
N Acetyl Cysteine
D Chiro Inositol (just started this one recently -- giving it a trial!)
Inositol and Choline
Quercetin
Calcium -- magnesium
Iron (I get anemic)
St. John's Wart (depression symptoms)
Vitex
Fish Oil
Cinnamon
Zyflamend (anti-inflammatory supplement)
4)I try to reduce stress in my life, get enough sleep, and pay attention to my spiritual life through reading, prayer, and meditation. I believe that stress definitely aggravates PCOS.
5)I use natural progesterone cream twice a day during certain times of my cycle. I think that this helps w/ bloating and mood swings and generally makes me a more pleasant person to be around.
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