Hey girl! Let's talk about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome aka PCOS! Which if you don't already know, is an endocrine system hormonal disorder, common among women of child bearing age. Whether or not you're thinking about your "child bearing age" at this point of time or not, it's important to know that this is when most women find out they have PCOS. They want to start a family and when they can't... that's normally when they are tested for PCOS.
So what does this mean? Well, most women with PCOS grow multiple fluid filled, non-cancerous follicles or cysts on their ovaries which grow because of a hormone imbalance.
Hormones play a huge role in how our bodies function and can greatly affect our mental and physical being and we love to dive into all that in our S'moo blogs. So how do we balance our hormones, deal with PCOS, live with Stress and figure out all the symptoms such as weight gain, excess hair growth, fatigue, cystic acne and more? We’ve outlined our favorite 7 supplements for PCOS besides S'moo of course :) to help manage your symptoms and get back to healthy and happy hormone levels.
Our favorite PCOS Supplements:
Inositol (Vitamin B8)
Let's talk about Inositol! Inositol is a vitamin-like substance that is found in many plants (fruits, beans, grains and nuts) and animals. Turns out, our body also produces it! Inositol has been shown by studies to have an impressive track record of improving fertility by improving the number of good quality oocytes (eggs in the ovaries). Researches also show that taking inositol helps in lowering testosterone levels, decreasing blood pressure and encouraging smooth ovarian function in women. Inositol can also aid in reducing insulin resistance which in turn helps balance the number of androgens in the body.
NAC (N-acetyl Cysteine)
In a small study of PCOS women using NAC every day, it was found to improve insulin sensitivity and lower testosterone levels! So what is this magically thing? Well like many things, it's found in various vegetables and animal sources. NAC is known for improving fertility and ovulation while also reducing cholesterol levels. Another study found that women taking NAC decrease in BMI, testosterone levels, hirsutism and it improved their menstrual cycle.
Ashwagandha
If you're experiencing the depression or anxiety commonly associated with the psychological symptoms PCOS, then this powerful adaptogen root (Indian ginseng) might be what you need. Ashwagandha doesn't only make you feel good, it is also known to improve fertility and inducing ovulation. According to a study, it was found extremely useful in creating the synergistic hormonal balance between the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) thus avoiding the risks of hormonal imbalances in PCOS.
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium is found in green vegetables, raw cocoa, nuts and seeds and can also be taken in pill form. Women with PCOS and those with other metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes tend to be deficient in magnesium. Studies have shown the effectiveness of magnesium in insulin resistance, in being anti-inflammatory, and in redressing of adrenal hormones – all essential actions for managing PCOS symptoms and treating the root causes of PCOS. Magnesium assists in the activation of vitamin D and so it's usually a good idea to take them together. As most people are deficient in vitamin D.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D isn’t just a vitamin but also a hormone. The fact is that most people in the United States are deficient in Vitamin D (Read more in our S'moo blog). Vitamin D3 is formed in our body through direct exposure to sunlight, though that isn't the only way to get it! It not only reduces androgen levels and inflammation but also may improve fertility. A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology showed that infertile PCOS women had improvements in menstrual regularity after 3 months of supplementation with Vitamin D.
Chromium Picolinate
An essential mineral found in broccoli, nuts and wholegrain products. Chromium promotes a good physical appearance by giving you a glowing, healthy complexion and reducing acne often caused by PCOS or high androgen levels. One study examining the role of Chromium Picolinate in women with PCOS found that 200 mcg daily of Chromium Picolinate significantly reduced blood sugar and insulin levels in Promoting a healthy metabolic rate, studies also show its significance in terms of reducing cholesterol thereby producing healthy heart activities.
Zinc Gluconate
Zinc is naturally found in legumes, nuts and seeds and helps with hair loss due to PCOS. Studies bring into limelight its proven efficacy in fighting treatment-resistant depression, a common PCOS symptom thereby improving overall mood and energy levels. Another study showed that using 30 mg/day elemental Zinc for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on alopecia, hirsutism, and plasma MDA levels.
We hope this helped open up your mind to a ton of awesome possibilities for working with PCOS!
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is strictly the opinion of S'moo and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither S'moo nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
