Health Advice for Women

Excessive weight around the waist and stubborn pounds that won’t come off with diet and exercise may be from an undiagnosed medical condition, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS.

PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder among females, affecting anywhere from 5-10 percent of pre-menopausal women. PCOS wreaks havoc on hormones: irregular amounts of insulin stimulate the ovaries to produce large amounts of testosterone. The result can be weight gain and obesity, along with symptoms such as male-pattern baldness, excess body hair and infertility.

Many women with PCOS gain weight around their abdomen, taking on an apple shape rather than a pear shape. Women with PCOS may gain weight very easily and lose it only with great effort, usually with a diet of good carbohydrates, fresh vegetables and protein, together with exercise.

Insulin Resistance is often the root cause of PCOS and the direct link to this type of weight gain. Insulin is the hormone responsible for allowing glucose, or blood sugar, to be absorbed by your cells, where it is converted to energy. If you are Insulin Resistant your cells react sluggishly to insulin, causing feelings of constant hunger while inhibiting weight loss.

The interactions of Insulin Resistance, PCOS and obesity are complex and still under medical review. Many scientists believe that this is a case of “the chicken or the egg” - Insulin Resistance contributes to obesity and is an underlying cause of PCOS, but obesity in turn worsens Insulin Resistance, which then has an effect on the development of PCOS.

Because symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman, PCOS can often go undiagnosed for years. Possible symptoms include: weight gain, obesity, excess facial and body hair, thinning hair on your head, acne, skin tags, brown skin patches, depression, anxiety, irregular periods, and even infertility. Long term, PCOS can lead to serious conditions such as Diabetes.

If you feel you may be suffering from PCOS try the self-test at Insulite Labs to assess your risk.

I hate roller coasters. The big kind, the small kind, and everything in between. But most of all, I hate the weight loss roller coaster. This is probably because I can never seem to get off of it. Up and down, round and round I go… where I’ll stop nobody seems to know. That’s the biggest problem: while the man-made kind only lasts a few minutes, the weight loss kind seems to last forever.

So why can’t I lose the weight permanently? Some would chalk it up to lack of self control. I’d go with that explanation except that I seem to have extreme self control in other parts of my life. I’m not an excessive shopper. I stick to my budget every month. My house is fairly clean. I rarely drink. So lack of self control doesn’t seem to jive with other areas of my life.

Irritated with myself, I decided to go to the doctor. When she told me I had a medical issue, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) that causes me to be more at risk of gaining weight I thought “Great! Now I can take a pill to get over it.” Wrong.

There is no cure for PCOS. Rather the solution is to find a new way of living that allows my body to operate in the most efficient way it can. Lucky for me, the doctor had some information for me to read on the subject. I also went home and did additional research. One of the best places I’ve found for information on PCOS is at Insulite Labs. Here’s what I learned from them:

• Women with PCOS suffer from a condition known as insulin resistance which causes the body to produce inadequate amounts of insulin to effectively convert food to energy. One side effect is the body craves carbs which can lead to weight gain.

• A low-carb diet has proved to be effective not only in weight loss programs but also in helping to control the production of insulin in the pancreas. But keep in mind that females of normal weight and lean women can also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and insulin resistance.

• Exercise is a main component of dealing with the symptoms of PCOS. Exercise increases the sensitivity of your cell walls to insulin for the vital conversion of glucose to energy; it boosts metabolism, burns calories and helps to level out the production of insulin the pancreas.
• Choose a balanced, healthy diet that doesn’t include refined carbohydrates, like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, corn and refined sugars. Avoid artificial sweeteners which can raise insulin levels.
• Avoid stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Even over-the-counter cold medications can contain stimulants, causing spikes in insulin production and release.
• Your doctor may need to address collateral issues such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol issue with medication until they come under control naturally with your weight loss and healthier lifestyle.
• Find a PCOS support group to chat with women who are going through the same experience as you are as it can be frustrating to find common ground with others around you who can lose weight and/or maintain it more easily.
So the bottom line is that I have to go farther than most people to keep the weight in check. I need to crave discipline in diet and exercise, not carbs. I need to seek balance in my life, not in junk food. And most of all, after all of the self reflection and research, I’ve learned that I actually am in control of this roller coaster ride. I just needed a little extra training in amusement park operations to find out how to get off of it with my confidence and self-esteem firmly in place.

So many people struggle with weight loss, so keep reading to hear about our 5 weight loss secrets. But first some of the statistics on weight loss or rather lack of it in the United States. According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 66% of American adults are overweight, obese, or even morbidly obese. This has sharply increased in the last few decades. National surveys show that obesity in adults increased 15% from 1976 to 2003. Although one of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to reduce the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%, current data indicates things are becoming worse.

What is going on and why are so many Americans overweight? The Dept. of Health states the main contributing factor as the over consumption of calories coupled with a lack of physical activity - in other words that calories in does not equal calories out. Sounds simple, but the truth is more complex. Here are five little known secrets:

1. Not enough “good” fat makes us fat.
Following the low-fat diet craze that began in the 1980’s, which coincides with the sharp increase of obesity, many Americans became fat phobic, depriving themselves of the EFAs (essential fatty acids) the body needs to function properly. It is estimated that 80% of Americans are deficient in EFAs and studies have also shown that EFA deficiency may contribute to weight gain. Adding olive oil, nuts, and omega-3 enriched eggs to your diet may actually help you lose weight.

2. Environmental toxins cause more than cancer.
While it is now widely accepted that man-made toxins cause cancer, it has not been until recent years that scientists have begun researching the link between environmental toxins and obesity. An increase in environmental toxicity parallels the nation’s increase in obesity. Changes in the body’s metabolism may be its way of protecting itself from these toxins of which many come from food and indoor air. When possible, buy organic foods. Use HEPA air filters and natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. Avoid petrochemical laundry products like Tide and Cheer.

3. A healthy liver means a healthy weight.
Eastern cultures have long considered the liver the most vital of human organs. It cleanses the blood by filtering toxins and metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Obesity and weight gain may indicate a sluggish or congested liver. Give your liver the vitamins and minerals needed to perform its job. Supplement your diet with vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Consider taking herbs that promote liver function. Milk Thistle has been used as a liver remedy for over 2,000 years.

4. Reduce stress to weigh less.
Stress leads to emotional eating and raises levels of cortisol, a hormone produced when your body is under stress. High levels of cortisol are associated with obesity and the storage of excess fat. Studies have also recently shown higher levels of cortisol in women who constantly diet. Focus on eating for health and avoid severely restricting diets. Be sure to allow yourself eight hours of sleep each night.

Make time for yourself every day whether it’s to journal, meditate or even something as simple as doing a crossword puzzle.

5. Correct insulin resistance to lose fat, especially in the belly.
If you are insulin resistant your body responds to food differently than other people do. Insulin resistance is a biochemical condition that prevents the body from properly absorbing blood sugar or insulin. Symptoms of insulin resistance include excess abdominal fat, (in men this means a 40 inch waist or larger, in women 35 inches) high blood sugar levels, and high blood pressure. Insulin resistance is fully treatable. If you’ve tried a million different diets and nothing has worked visit Insulite Labs for more information about insulin resistance. They have a complete program that has helped so many women lose weight and regain the vitality in life they had lost.

This morning I got another email requesting the services of Dr. Kath. I’m not really a doctor; I don’t even play one on TV. But at least once a week a friend or family member asks for help on with vague and indescribable symptoms they are experiencing. To my surprise I end up rattling off several natural, alternative solutions to help them with the problem and they are happily cured soon after!

My search for chronic wellness for myself has turned me into a walking, talking bible of natural health solutions. I know that I’m not alone…there are many of us out there who would do anything to have just one day of week where we felt great! But we have no idea how to achieve this and conflicting information abounds!

For years I searched endlessly and miserably for solutions to deal with my laundry-list of symptoms only to find that I fall into an endless list of syndromes that doctors know very little about. Each syndrome comes with a list of medications but there’s no proof that any of these medications actually help!

I was in the chasm. The rules for the healthy didn’t apply to me (e.g. a calorie in = calorie out doesn’t apply when you can’t properly digest food!) and my symptoms didn’t match any textbook disease for which medicine abounds. Worst of all, people in my situation are not acknowledged in the norm, so there is very little help.

Somewhere along the way I realized that the best gift I could give myself was take back control over my own health and find my own path to chronic wellness! For those of you who live in that chasm with me, here’s my personal prescription for chronic wellness…

Eat natural healthy foods.

I have multiple food sensitivities and several food allergies. When I eat heavily processed foods, or those I am sensitive too, my fingers/feet retain water, my body aches, my skin itches, my brain gets foggy and I get grumpy.

When I eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grain rice and free-range meats all the symptoms above clear up and I have a lot more energy. I eliminate anything from my diet that I have a reaction to. Reactions can occur up to 48 hours after eating the item.

Exercise often.

I have chronic lower back pain, chronic muscle pain everywhere and suffer from insomnia. I would rather have a root canal than exercise.

A simple walk around the block raises my heart rate and I sleep better that night. Sweating from 30 minutes of vigorous exercise actually clears up my skin issues! Yoga and Pilates keep my mind centered and my body strong. Stretching and moving my muscles make the chronic pain manageable.

Take Supplements Targeted to your Condition.

There are many supplement programs out there that are targeted to specific symptoms. Do your research and find one that supports your individual needs. Don’t skimp your dollars on supplements. If something works for me, then I will pay almost anything to keep using it.

I take the INSULITE METAX SYSTEM by Insulite Labs which targets my most common symptoms including pre-diabetes, inability to lose weight and excess weight. I also take Magnesium and Ribose for added support for chronic muscle pain.

Don’t let being the chasm between health and disease get the best of you! Strive for chronic wellness by making simple changes to your daily routine. Do your own research and get informed on your symptoms. You are your best medicine and your best guide.