Endocrinology & Metabolic Syndrome
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-1017
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-1017
+44 1478 350008
Rebecca Harwin
RMIT University, Austraila
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Endocrinol Metab Syndr
Often, the advice for women with polycystic ovary syndrome trying to lose weight is the rehashed and over simplified; eat less and exercise more. This fails for most, contributing further to the disempowerment and low self-esteem already experienced by a large majority of sufferers of this common syndrome. So is a calorie a calorie? And what else can we do to transform the dismal rates of weight loss to maximize permanent success? And how do two of the major drivers of PCOS in insulin resistance and inflammation contribute to weight gain, and how can we use this knowledge to help women succeed in their weight loss journey? Research shows exercise including weights and interval training, receiving sufficient quality and quantity of sleep, reducing stress, ensuring sufficient nutrition to enable optimal insulin, thyroid and whole body function, are all critical. The right food types at the right time should be a focus, rather than simply calorie counting. Research shows protein increases satiation and naturally reduces calorie intake; sufficient magnesium, shown to be deficient in women with PCOS, helps regulate insulin function; selenium, iodine, zinc are critical for thyroid function, and with hypothyroidism more common in PCOS and contributing to weight gain, needs to be addressed. Prof Patrice Cani showed that altered gut function and dysbiosis increase obesity, and experience shows that improving digestive health can reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity and aid weight loss.