PCOS diet, foods to avoid and what to eat if you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

September is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. Learn about what foods to add and avoid in your diet to protect yourself from this condition.

September marks Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that occurs in women of reproductive age. It may cause infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, and excess male hormone (androgen) levels. Ovaries may develop collections of follicles and fail to release eggs as well. While it’s exact cause is not understood, genetics and environmental factors play a significant role. Controlling the diet and weight loss is a good way to prevent this condition from aggravating.

Here are some foods to eat and avoid to protect yourself:

* Sardines: Oily fish like sardines or even chia seeds are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids which reduces levels of testosterone and regulates the menstrual cycle.

* Apple: Along with kale, oats and berries, apples are low in glycemic index (GI) which is good for insulin sensitivity and doesn’t blood sugar levels. They also have lower LDL cholesterol which is bad for the heart. PCOS patients often are at risk of heart disease, so eating apples can help prevent that.

Dairy can be inflammatory, so it’s best to avoid foods that cause you bloating and indigestion to prevent PCOS.

* Dairy: Dairy can also be inflammatory, so it is best to avoid products that cause you lactose intolerance. However, butter may actually be good for you as a source of healthy fat, so you don’t need to avoid it if you don’t have bloating after eating it.

* Soy: Research has shown that soy can affect thyroid function and ovulation. It contains compounds that can interfere with the normal functioning of oestrogen which can affect your menstrual cycle and worsen PCOS.

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