PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS affects an estimated 8 - 13% of reproductive-age women. Up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed worldwide.

These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice.  Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take medication.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a chronic condition that affects women of reproductive age. It causes hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and cysts in the ovaries. When individuals with PCOS become stressed, their levels of cortisol in the body are even higher.

This plan is to help achieve alkaline/acid balance, regulate hormones, normalize blood sugar and weight, and improve overall level of health and well-being! Make a few changes at a time.  Each is a variable in your body’s favour leading to a better outcome.

Diet - Alkalize and Consume Food at the Right Time

• Drink 7-10 glasses filtered or spring water.  Chlorine can disrupt thyroid.
• Eat a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming.  PCOS is linked to acidosis. 
• Organic foods are the safest way to nourish your body – a wise investment!
• Make fresh fruits, vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, bean, legumes, and whole grains your diet mainstays. Have wheat only if sprouted.
• Soybeans, tempeh, edamame, and miso are good sources of phytoestrogens. 
• 1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar as a condiment or in water with meals strengthens digestion, corrects pH, and provides important trace minerals.
• 1-3 tbsp ground flax. Lignans slow the conversion of healthy hormones into pseudo-hormones like dihydrotestosterone linked to inflammation and hair loss.
• Replace salt with Herbamare for all the flavour but 1/3 the sodium.
• Avoid processed, refined, fried foods, or anything with artificial ingredients.
• Have complete protein no later than lunch for better digestion of amino acids.
• Cook gently.  High heat generates acrylamides & advanced glycation end products.

Supplements to avoid common deficiencies

• Bio-Strath – a food source of B vitamins plus many essential nutrients.  Relieves stress, improves pH and digestion, promotes energy and hormone balance.
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids– anti-inflammatory, decreases anxiety and fatigue.
• Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to the upper limit of 4,000 IU.  A deficiency results in inflammation and interferes with ovulation.
• Chlorophyll – for magnesium – a blood builder and cleanser, regulates blood sugar, helps remove heavy metals and biotoxins, increases white blood cells.
• Omega 3 and GLA fatty acids – necessary for hormone balance.
• Probiotics – helps build a healthy microbiome.

Special Care for Short-Term or Intermittent Use

*Try one or more that appeal to you and see what works best

• Flor-Essence – perform a one month (or more) cleanse with this renowned formula.  Start with 1 tbsp in water each evening and work up to 2 ounces.  Detoxifies at a cellular level, promotes hormone balance and corrects pH.
• Berberine – regulates blood sugar, promotes weight loss, anti-inflammatory, increases HDL, lowers LDL, effective help for multiple symptoms of PCOS.
• Serrapeptase – According to Dr Zoltan Rona, this enzyme literally digests inflammation and cysts.  Take morning and bedtime on an empty stomach for 2 weeks then reduce to once a day at bedtime on an empty stomach.
• Holy Basil tea – promotes metabolic regularity and decreases cortisol. 

Therapies and Lifestyle

• Avoid single use plastics and canned goods that don’t state BPA free. Also avoid cosmetics and household products containing BPA , phthalates or other hormone disruptors. 
• Establish a routine (with flexibility). Your body thrives on regularity.
• Avoid distractions when eating. Stop when satiated, a little before full.
• The lymphatic system drains waste from every cell.  If the lymph is sluggish detoxification stalls making weight loss impossible. Dry body brushing for a few minutes each day moves lymphatic fluids and promotes circulation.
• Increasing activity is as simple as putting a little more intensity into the day-to-day things you already do.  Dance while you vacuum, lunge from room to room, walk on tip toe.  Turning up the dial on the everyday is as fun as it is beneficial! Check out our blog post on VILPA.
• See Dr Zack Bush’s 4-Minute Workout online.  Aim for 2-3 times daily.
• All movement is good, moderate intensity is better, and outdoors is best!  Get lots of fresh air and sunshine.  It does a body, and a soul, immeasurable good 😊
• The lungs are a major pathway of elimination.  Breathe deeply, exhale completely.

*Revised February 2023