Question about PCO/Insulin Resistance
Question:
<< I was taking niacin to lower my cholesterol (my blood lipid levels should have been a sign that IR was my problem–if I or my doc had known it). I did not know that niacin, like bcp, can worsen glucose tolerance in some people. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! >> My total cholesterol has been high for more than a decade (I’m 35). Today it is over 400, despite the fact that I’m a vegetarian. I was always told it was "genetic" and doctors have been trying to put me on cholesterol-lowering meds for years; I’ve tried them a couple times, but didn’t like the risks/side effects. I didn’t know that this is an indicator of IR, although since I have severe PCOS with *every single* symptom, I’m guessing that’s probably the case. I’m hoping to get a doc who will put me on Metformin soon. Cindy
Response:
>My total cholesterol has been high for more than a decade (I’m 35). Today it >is >over 400, despite the fact that I’m a vegetarian. I was always told it was >"genetic" and doctors have been trying to put me on cholesterol-lowering meds >for years; I’ve tried them a couple times, but didn’t like the risks/side >effects. I didn’t know that this is an indicator of IR, although since I have >severe PCOS with *every single* symptom, I’m guessing that’s probably the >case. >I’m hoping to get a doc who will put me on Metformin soon. >Cindy
Cindy, I did not know either, until I realized I had PCO (mostly through people on the Net!). I have since read tons of articles connecting insulin resistance and high blood lipid levels. It is no coincidence that type 2 diabetics often have elevated levels of blood lipids. That is why in the past, they put diabetics on lo-fat diets which didn’t control their bs levels as well as a low-carb one would. I read Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution and my eyes was opened on so many things. I have also read the Zone (Dr. Barry Sears) and Healthy for Life (Rachael and Richard Heller). I explains to me why several years of lo-fat diets didn’t work to lower my cholesterol and caused me to gain weight and worsen my PCO and ultimately become a type 2 diabetic. I hope others can "get the word" and avoid it! ^–^ { ‘.’}cathy-to send e-mail, delete edyclub ` My web page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/8060/index.html Hope for Cysters: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/8060/PCOS.html
Response:
The Schwarzbein Principle – A great, easy to read book – information about insulin resistance; what causes it; and how to reduce it; and how to get better. Terri (: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -ElizabthW wrote in message <19990621150846.23151.00003…@ng-bh1.aol.com>… ><<<Even if you >are not IR, don’t assume you never will be. Avoid the things that would >increase the chances. >>> >Excellent advice. A lot of things that help IR are good for everyone else too!! >For example, I read in a health magazine that light/moderate exercise several >times a week (such as walking) can help insulin sensitivity a lot– but as we >all know, it has tons of other benefits, too. Sugar-laden and processed foods, >and soft drinks aren’t good for anyone, no matter what the current state of >your health. I could go on and on with this. I’m *very grateful* not to be IR, >and I am trying to have healthy habits that will keep my chances of getting it >to a minimum. >—Elizabeth
Response:
<<<Even if you are not IR, don’t assume you never will be. Avoid the things that would increase the chances. >>> Excellent advice. A lot of things that help IR are good for everyone else too!! For example, I read in a health magazine that light/moderate exercise several times a week (such as walking) can help insulin sensitivity a lot– but as we all know, it has tons of other benefits, too. Sugar-laden and processed foods, and soft drinks aren’t good for anyone, no matter what the current state of your health. I could go on and on with this. I’m *very grateful* not to be IR, and I am trying to have healthy habits that will keep my chances of getting it to a minimum. —Elizabeth
Response:
> I’m *very grateful* not to be IR, >and I am trying to have healthy habits that will keep my chances of getting >it >to a minimum.
I am so glad that you are not IR and can perhaps avoid it. I think I had the genetic tendency towards it because diabetes is prevalent in my family, however, if I had known some things 5 years ago that I know now, perhaps things wouldn’t have been so tough. I was doing all the wrong things out of ignorance. I was taking niacin to lower my cholesterol (my blood lipid levels should have been a sign that IR was my problem–if I or my doc had known it). I did not know that niacin, like bcp, can worsen glucose tolerance in some people. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! I was also using the provera quite often, and using a topical steroid for a skin problem, in ignorance that these things can worsen glucose tolerance in some people and also following the wrong diet all together. I thought just watching fat was the answer, but instead I was astounded to watch fat appear on me. I know now many fat-free items are skyhigh in refined carbs. I really had to learn the hard way that what is popular for mainstream society (fat-free eating) may not work beans for me. Well, I have learned alot for my experience and my biggest goal now is to keep making progress and also to spread the word about PCO so that other unsuspecting women can receive the help that they need. Sorry to ramble and always grateful for advice, support and all the good stuff this ng provides. ^–^ { ‘.’}cathy-to send e-mail, delete edyclub ` My web page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/8060/index.html Hope for Cysters: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/8060/PCOS.html
Response:
Hello again everyone. Does anyone know if you can have PCOS and NOT be insulin resistant? Or does EVERYONE with PCOS have a IR problem? Thanks! Karen
Response:
My opinion on this is that since PCOS is a syndrome (a set of symptoms), it can be caused by more than one thing. Some of us get it because we have IR, and some get these symptoms for other reasons. I don’t have any evidence to back up my thinking on this, so don’t take my opinions too seriously. KC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -McGKar wrote: > Hello again everyone. Does anyone know if you can have PCOS and NOT be insulin > resistant? Or does EVERYONE with PCOS have a IR problem? Thanks! > Karen
Response:
<<<Hello again everyone. Does anyone know if you can have PCOS and NOT be insulin resistant? Or does EVERYONE with PCOS have a IR problem? Thanks!>>> All I know is that my IR testing came back perfectly normal, I have no problems with eating carbohydrates, and I am of normal weight…but I definitely have PCOS. —Elizabeth
Response:
><<<Hello again everyone. Does anyone know if you can have PCOS and NOT be >insulin resistant? Or does EVERYONE with PCOS have a IR problem? Thanks!>>>
I think perhaps some people with symptoms of PCO may not be IR……yet, at least not enough to show in a test…but it could happen in time. I don’t think I was always IR, even though I had PCO symptoms since age 11, 5 years ago things got out of control and I think I became IR setting me up for the diabetes I now have. I may could have avoided things getting worse if I had the proper knowledge, but of course, I had no idea what was wrong. Even if you are not IR, don’t assume you never will be. Avoid the things that would increase the chances. ^–^ { ‘.’}cathy-to send e-mail, delete edyclub ` My web page: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/8060/index.html Hope for Cysters: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/8060/PCOS.html
Response:
Filed under: PCOS Diet
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