Physical Wellness

How To Manage Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With Diet And Fitness Routine [VIDEO]

By Lori Brown | Update Date: Apr 10, 2017 07:32 AM EDT

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women. There is no exact explanation for the causes of this condition but health experts agree that proper diet and fitness routine can help manage it.

Doctors point to excessive production of insulin, inflammation and hereditary factors that could be causing polycystic ovary syndrome. The condition is often characterized by menstrual periods that do not occur regularly or is sometimes absent, obesity, acne and excessive hair growth. Another symptom is polycystic ovaries, which is marked by the presence of small cysts in the ovaries.

PCOS, especially in obese women, might lead to a risk of heart disease, infertility, bleeding in the uterus, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes among others. In some cases, it may cause endometrial cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The symptoms associated with PCOS may be exacerbated by obesity. For this reason, making positive changes with one's weight may help manage the symptoms. This is when paying attention to a good diet and fitness routine will be beneficial.

Nutritional therapist, trainer and coach, Diara Tiesler, who works with women suffering from PCOS, suggested eating a good amount of leafy greens and fruits such as pineapples and blueberries. Fruits, particularly those with lower fructose content such as berries and citrus fruits, are better consumed whole with fibers than when made into smoothies or juice.

When presented with the option of getting carbohydrates from whole grains or from processed food such as rice and pasta, the former should be the first choice. What one eats for breakfast (or not eating at all) could affect the level of blood sugar. A woman trying to manage this should not just skip breakfast and incorporate an excellent source of protein to this meal.

The workout routine may do wonders for metabolizing glucose and carbohydrates. Tiesler explained that the rule of thumb is to avoid doing activities that are too strenuous to the body.

A mix of high-intensity interval training and low-intensity steady state cardio might work best. It is important to find out which exercise routine is effective on an individual level, the Cosmopolitan reported.

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