Hi gals,
Before I proceed with my long, boring story, here's the gist of it:
Stop the refined carbohydrates! PCOS is linked with insulin and blood sugar level and even though we are thin, we still have to cut all the simple carbs. In our case sugar doesn't transform to fat that fast, but it still poison us, causes spikes of the insulin level and messes up our hormone levels.
You should look for food with low Glycemic Index. That exclude the bread, white rice, pasta, potatoes, ANY sort of sweeteners (including artificial sweeteners and agave syrup) Even some fruits are not so recommended (bananas and watermelon, for example) Pump up the protein and fat consumption to avoid losing weight, and many, many vegies, of course!
I was looking for some good article to show the skeptics like me, but all I found are these two lectures. Sorry I can't post links, because I'm too new in the forum, check on YouTube:
Sugar: The Bitter Truth &
Fat Chance: Fructose 2.0
of Dr. Robert Lustig
And now the long boring story:
I am underweight and have been diagnosed with PCOS about three years ago. Before that, my doctors either undermined my symptoms, saying it's nothing, I'm just too thin, and that's why my period is irregular, or even worst, one doctor said the cysts can be dangerous so he recommended to cut them surgically, with a significant part of my ovaries, of course. Thank god I'm not that naive to trust every doctor's crazy ideas.
About three years ago I moved from my home country to New York, where I believe I have way better health care. The first ObGyn I saw, diagnosed me right away. After that I changed two more and nobody ever doubted the diagnoses. So apparently, low BMI is not an exclusion factor, and maybe our case is not even that uncommon.
My last and current doctor, Dr Iris Orbuch, is the first one to tell me that the problem is in my insulin level and in all the simple carbs we are bombarded with. Initially, I was very skeptical, but I decided, what the hell, she doesn't suggest anything harmful, worst case scenario, I'll have healthier diet for couple of months.
I've never had a sweet tooth, but I have to tell you, the first couple of weeks were hard. You cut all the simple carbs and your body is not happy. I was low on energy, irritable, headaches, cravings and I missed SO MUCH the sugar in my coffee! And the other thing, whats up with that sugar in everything! Sugar in bread, in sauces, in yogurt, in HAM!!!! Besides the craving part, not eating sugar is a pure logistical problem! For a country with such a high percentage of overweight people and diabetes, one would think there will be whole supermarkets called, NO SUGAR, but nope! I spent so much time in reading ingredients, I'm sick of it! After a wile though I adapted. Then I start having all sorts of other crazy cravings. First was the meat, I was like a wild carnivore, then the fat craving came, I could eat butter with a spoon. But don't worry, go for it. We have to take that energy from somewhere, right
It all payed off at the end! My period is regular and stable, all the little cysts around the ovaries are gone one by one, even my hormones are better!
I don't know if this diet will have the same magical effect on everybody, but for sure will be very beneficial. For starter, women with PCOS (thin or fat) are at great risk for type II diabetes. If you cut the carbs now, you will prevent that from happening, and you will be able to enjoy some dark chocolate or a piece of cake once in a wile!