Bianca Gascoigne

Bianca is a freelance writer, editor, and lifestyle blogger who lives in London. She enjoys writing about health, beauty, and fashion, and believes that everyone can look and feel their best, even if they have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). You can follow her on Twitter @biancagraphl or become her friend on Facebook.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition that causes a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for women who suffer from it. It’s a kind of ‘syndrome’ that leads to large amounts of hair on the chest and stomach, as well as acne, weight gain, and a tendency to form cysts on the skin. It’s often confused with ‘hormone problems’, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety for women who are already suffering from the syndrome.

While PCOS is often associated with women who are overweight or suffer from obesity, it’s actually a condition that can affect anyone. It just so happens that women are more likely to be diagnosed with it as they get older, and it’s not necessarily related to your weight at all. The good news is that there is a treatment available that can help with this condition. It’s called metformin, and it’s a drug that helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

What is ‘blood sugar’ or ‘glycaemic index’ (GI)?

Have you ever had a massive sugar high, followed by a crash that leaves you feeling exhausted and irritable? That’s blood sugar (also known as glucose) hitting its peak, and then declining. After a few hours, it will start to rise again, leaving you with that ‘sugar dip’ that makes you crave sugar even more. It’s a vicious cycle that can wreak havoc on your waistline. If you want to reduce your daily sugar intake, it’s important to know what causes your blood sugar to rise in the first place. That’s called the ‘glycemic index’ or ‘GI’ for short. It’s a benchmark used by dietitians and nutritionists to assess the carbohydrate content of food and the subsequent impact it has on blood sugar. The lower the GI, the healthier the food.

How Can I Lower My GI?

There are several ways to reduce your GI, but first you need to determine what food sources are raising your blood sugar. One of the most reliable methods is to stick to foods that are high in fiber. This will help to keep your digestive system working at its best, which in turn will minimize any blood sugar fluctuations. If you have PCOS and trying to lower your GI, it’s recommended that you avoid foods with a high glycemic index, namely white potatoes, white bread, and pasta. Keep your carbohydrates lower in saturated fat such as meat and dairy products. Eating more natural foods and fewer processed foods will also help to keep your GI in check. There are also certain medications that can lower your blood sugar, such as Avandia, sold by GlaxoSmithKline, and Janumet, sold by Johnson & Johnson. If you’re unable to avoid these foods and medication, then you may need to raise your dose or change your medication to suit your needs. However, this will depend on how well you respond to the medications. Sometimes, nothing more than a dietary adjustment can help to keep your blood sugar in check.

A Healthy Diet

When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to eat a healthy diet that provides your body with the nutrients it needs to function at its best. To start with, you should consume plenty of fiber. A diet rich in whole grains, nuts, and seeds will also keep your carbohydrates at a suitable level and minimize the amount of sugar that enters your blood stream. Make sure that you eat lots of vegetables, while avoiding foods that contain a high amount of sugar. Try to include more fruit in your diet than you would normally eat, as it contains fiber that will help to keep you full for longer. Watch out for artificial sweeteners that are found in many processed foods, they can cause your blood sugar to spike, even when glucose is at a normal level. When you eat foods that are high in fiber, you will naturally feel fuller for longer, which in turn can help you to control your appetite. If you want to lose weight, follow a low-carb diet that is rich in plant-based foods like fresh salads, cruciferous vegetables, and lots of green tea. You should also avoid foods that are made with white sugar, and foods that are excessively processed. When you eat a diet that is rich in whole grains, nuts, and seeds, you will naturally lose weight as your body needs energy to function at its best. Eating a diet that is too low in energy can cause you to lose interest in cooking and cleaning, as well as leave you exhausted. A healthy diet should never be a diet, but instead something that you look forward to eating every day. With a little bit of effort from both you and your doctor, you can help to keep your body in good condition, and enjoy life to the fullest at the same time. With a little bit of effort from both you and your doctor, you can help to keep your body in good condition, and enjoy life to the fullest at the same time.