Can Diet Help PCOS?

While there’s no cure for PCOS, it’s important to know that there are things you can do that can help. One of the main things to consider is your diet.
Diet has more impact on your overall health than almost any other factor within your control. So what should you be on the lookout for?
It’s important to remember that your hormones and how you process nutrition will change as you get older, starting with when you come of reproductive age. Diet also plays a role in maintaining the body’s endocrine system which means that as you grow older, your dietary and health needs will likely change. Women with PCOS may find relief and healing from their PCOS symptoms by paying closer attention to what they eat--and what they don’t eat.
In addition to high levels of male hormones, women with PCOS may also develop high levels of the hormonal insulin. Cells don't respond well to the high levels of hormones (androgens and testosterone), which causes insulin resistance, making insulin build up in the blood.
Many people with PCOS have insulin resistance. In fact, more than 50 percent of those with PCOS develop diabetes or pre-diabetes before the age of 40. Diabetes is directly related to how the body processes insulin.
Following a diet that meets a person’s nutritional needs, maintains a healthy weight, and promotes good insulin levels can help people with PCOS feel better.
Foods that Help
 Three diets that may help people with PCOS manage their symptoms are:

• A low glycemic index (GI) diet: The body digests foods with a low GI more slowly, meaning they do not cause insulin levels to rise as much or as quickly as other foods, such as some carbohydrates. Foods in a low GI diet include whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, starchy vegetables, and other unprocessed, low-carbohydrate foods.
• An anti-inflammatory diet: Anti-inflammatory foods, such as berries, fatty fish, leafy greens, and extra virgin olive oil, may reduce inflammation-related symptoms, such as fatigue.
• The DASH diet: Doctors often recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to reduce the risk or impact of heart disease. It may also help manage PCOS symptoms. A DASH diet is rich in fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and low-fat dairy produce. The diet discourages foods that are high in saturated fat and sugar.

Not only will these diets help your hormones, insulin levels, and nutritional needs but they can also help you control your acne. PCOS often creates too many hormones in the body. This increases sebum and skin cell production which can cause acne.
At Skintherapy, we are committed to helping you clear your acne and giving you all the best resources to do it. We offer consultations to help guide you and many other products and services with one goal in mind: To help you achieve luminous acne-free skin.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 801-800-6602 to book your appointment today or ask us any questions about acne and our program.