Losing weight can be difficult for some people, especially if they are suffering from PCO or Polycystic ovary syndrome – this health condition is manifested by unusual weight gain. PCOS creates difficulties for the body to utilize the hormone insulin that aids in converting sugars and starches from food particles into energy. This condition is called insulin resistance and usually builds up glucose in the bloodstream.
PCOS leads to abdominal fat, which is the most dangerous of its kind as it invites heart disease and other health hazards. Here are some of the ways in which one can lose weight even while having PCO.
How to Lose Weight for PCO Patients?
Because PCO patients are insulin resistance, it is difficult for them to lose weight like their healthier counterparts. But there are certain ways to lose weight even if you are suffering from this condition. Here is how
Eat Right
The first step is to eat right. This means that you need to avoid fatty, salty or sugary foods and concentrate more on eating protein. Minimum 30% of the diet should consist of protein and the intake of carbohydrate should be as low as possible. You should also eat more food which have high starch resistance quotient, like navy beans and bananas.
Exercise
If you wish to lose weight, you must exercise. For the PCO patients it is imperative to the right exercises. You should start with low to moderate physical exercises such as swimming or walking. Swim or walk for 30 minutes to one and a half hour regularly. Even if you do not drastically lose weight, you will lower your insulin resistance quotient.
Take Supplements
When you have PCO and you are trying to lose some weight, you can take some supplements, like chromium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin B3 and some antioxidants along with these. You should also try to take herbs such as Banaba leaves etc.
Quit Smoking
A must follow step for people with PCO is to quit smoking. In a research conducted in 2009 it has been shown that smoking in women leads to rise in insulin levels. You do not want to do that.
- If everything else fails, talk to your doctor for medications. It is good to take the help of a doctor to check the insulin resistance that you are suffering from.
The important thing is to know what sort of food and other habits are suitable for patients of PCO. One must not go for crash dieting, if she is suffering from this condition. Even without such drastic measures, weight can be reduced.
