The Best Natural Remedies for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

   

According to the U.S. Health Department’s Office on Women Health, between 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women, who are of childbearing age, suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS currently affects an estimated five million Americans and although the majority of these cases are in mature women, girls as young as 11 can suffer from the disorder.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance and it manifests itself through a spectrum of symptoms such as:

• Infertility
• Irregular menstruation (either very heavy or very light watery period)
• Lack of menstruation
• Lack of ovulation
• Multiple cysts on the ovaries
• Acne
• Excessive facial hair
• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
  

By focusing on hormone regulation as well as treating the symptoms of PCOS, you can find valuable relief in some of the natural herbs, supplements, and alternative therapies. Please remember to discuss any herbal extracts or supplements you decide to take with your physician.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – Herbal Remedies

If you are looking for herbal extracts that can help you with the symptoms of PCOS, then the following herbal extracts may be worth investigating:

Chaste Tree

Also known as Vitex Agnus or Chaste Berry, Chaste Tree extract may be beneficial for regulating hormone levels. Hormone regulation plays a vital role in treating some of the symptoms of PCOS. An imbalance of hormones in those who suffer from PCOS often results in breast tenderness, failure to ovulate, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Hormones that are affected by PCOS include estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. In a study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers found evidence that Chaste Berry helped to lower prolactin levels. There was also evidence that Vitex was useful for treating infertility and for improving menstrual regularity.

If you are considering adding Vitex to your therapies for PCOS, then you need to consider the fact that it may take up to four cycles to see the results of the supplement, and you need to consult your herbalist or physician to discuss the best dosage for your circumstances and always opt for an organic

Chinese Licorice

Chinese Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) shows benefits for the regulation of hormonal levels in studies focused on PCOS. In a study published in the Medical Journal called Steroids, researchers showed that 3.5 g of Licorice extract reduced testosterone levels while leaving other hormonal levels unchanged, therefore helping to balance hormonal levels in trial subjects.

Licorice may also benefit individuals struggling with PCOS, since Licorice helps to reduce insulin resistance and it regulates glucose levels, according to the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. Since insulin resistance is a factor in most cases of PCOS, licorice may be beneficial in both areas for those women struggling with PCOS.

As with Vitex, Licorice may need to be taken for a few cycles before you may begin to see results. You should also consult with your physician or herbalist before adding Licorice extract to your daily diet.

A traditional Japanese formulation of licorice and white peony — called Shakuyaku-Kanzo-To — has been shown in trials on women with and without PCOS to decrease testosterone levels, stimulate ovulation, and help with conception.

Black Cohosh

In a trial published in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, individuals were given 20 mg of Black Cohosh for 10 days or given 100 mg clomiphene citrate for 5 days. The study found that Black Cohosh can be used as an alternative to clomiphene citrate to induce ovulation. Ovulation, fertility, and hormonal balance are important issues for PCOS sufferers, and Black Cohosh therefore offers you a natural alternative to some of the drugs used to promote fertility.

• According to the Journal of Pharmacology, Black Cohosh regulates the compounds that help you to deal with stress..
• In another study from the Journal of Ehtnopharmacology, Black Cohosh was found to reduce depression and it helped to combat the effects of stress

Black Cohosh therefore offers benefits in terms of hormone balance and stress management for those suffering from PCOS.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon can used as natural medicine for great health and it can also offer multiple benefits for women struggling with the effects of PCOS.

The regularity of menstrual cycles and ovulation play a large role in PCOS. Herbal extracts that can balance hormonal levels, restore regular menstrual cycles, and promote ovulation can help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with PCOS. In a trial published in the American Journal of Gynecology, women taking 1.5 g of cinnamon per day showed improved menstrual regularity.

Cinnamon may also help to regulate insulin levels in certain individuals. In a trial published in Nutrition New York, researchers found that patients given 750 mg of cinnamon for 12 weeks experienced improved insulin sensitivity.

Make Sure to Get the Right Type of Cinnamon

There are two major types of cinnamon for culinary use:

• Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as “true cinnamon”)
• Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticaum and Cinnamomum burmannii, also known as “Saigon cinnamon”)

Ceylon cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, whereas cassia cinnamon is native to Burma and also grown in China and Vietnam.

You are more likely to find cassia cinnamon in the United states and Canada which is less expensive. While both cassia and Ceylon cinnamon are derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, Ceylon cinnamon is preferable due to much lower amounts of coumarin, a naturally occurring organic compound that can cause liver damage if consumed in excess.

Other Natural Remedies for PCOS

Additional menstruation/hormonal balancing herbs recommended by naturopathic doctors and herbalists based on their clinical experience and traditional history include:

• Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) leaf-
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
• Rrosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
• Partridge berry (Mitchella repens)
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• False unicorn (Chamaelirium luteum) root

Supplements Vital for Supporting Your Body

Other than the herbal extracts mentioned above, if you are struggling with PCOS, then you may want to ensure your intake of certain essential vitamins and minerals is sufficient to support your body’s needs.

Vitamin deficiencies can exacerbate the symptoms of PCOS like hormonal imbalance, stress, and insulin resistance. There are also vitamins and minerals that are well known for their ability to help reduce these symptoms.

Vitamin D and Calcium

Many of the women who suffer from PCOS also seem to have deficiencies of vitamin D and calcium. Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are all classified as essential minerals and it is vital for most women to supplement these vitamins and minerals to ensure overall health. Make sure you are aware of the warning signs of vitamin D deficiency and magnesium deficiency.

Vitamin D metabolism relies on the availability of magnesium, and to ensure healthy calcium absorption you need optimal levels of vitamin D. This is why vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium almost always appear together in supplements .

Calcium and vitamin D play a vital role in regulating stress and reducing inflammation according to a study published in the Clinical Endocrinology Journal.[10] Since stress invariably accompanies PCOS, vitamin D and calcium supplementation may help to alleviate some of the effects of stress. Vitamin D may also play a role in reducing the risks of depression and anxiety. Other option can include certain essential oils for anxiety and depression or turmeric.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in your body’s ability to create energy via the metabolic processes. Vitamin B12 is therefore crucial in supporting factors like insulin function and healthy glucose metabolism.

Vitamin B12 is also one of the 5 essential nutrients that may be missing from your diet so you should be aware of the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

In a study published in Reproductive BioMedicine online, women with PCOS were found to have lower levels of vitamin B12. Supplementation in these cases would therefore improve insulin resistance and the other symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Inositol

Inositol, although not a vitamin, is a vitamin-like compound that is classified as a carbohydrate. Researchers speculate that inositol may help to balance certain compounds in the body and may therefore have favorable effects on things like insulin resistance.

Supplementation with inositol significantly improved menstrual cycles and insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

Inositol was also effective at improving ovarian function.

Inositol in combination with Glucomannan improved insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.[13]

Alternative Therapies for PCOS

A number of alternative and complementary therapies may help you to deal with the symptoms of PCOS.

Acupuncture

The efficacy of acupuncture on the symptoms associated with PCOS is covered in numerous studies. In some studies, acupuncture improved insulin resistance. Other studies indicated that acupuncture and electro-acupuncture improved hormonal and endocrine balance.

According to the review of the studies, published in the American Journal of Physiology, acupuncture could be a complementary or alternative help to improve reproductive and endocrine functions in women with PCOS.[14]

Acupuncture is widely practiced throughout the world, so if you are interested in acupuncture, then find out about a local Acupuncturist near you.

Qi Gong and Tai Chi

Exercise is an essential component of any healthy lifestyle. With the amount of stress, anxiety, and depression that is often associated with PCOS, healthy exercise may help to reduce some of the symptoms you experience.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong are Chinese exercise modalities that are taught all over the world and are often used for individuals who may be suffering from certain complaints.

Both Tai Chi and Qi Gong contain elements of meditation as well as exercise and they have therefore been particularly beneficial for patients suffering from anxiety and stress.

In a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, researchers mentioned that Tai Chi and Qi Gong helped to regulate glucose levels, helped to improve insulin sensitivity, and helped to reduce anxiety in patients suffering from diabetes.

Although this study was not on PCOS, the researchers felt that these types of exercise regimens would have similar effects for individuals suffering from PCOS.

How to Choose your Therapy

The above list of herbal extracts, supplements, and alternative therapies does not cover all of the alternatives that can be beneficial for the symptoms of PCOS. The most important factor to bear in mind when choosing your approach to PCOS, is that many of the therapies mentioned above are not mutually exclusive but in fact complementary.

You need to discuss any herbal extracts or supplements you decide to take with your physician or herbalist and be sure to mention the vitamins and supplements you take, but for the most part, you often do not have to choose one or the other.

There are acupuncturists all over the world and Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes can be found in most towns. Joining a Tai Chi class, going for acupuncture sessions, ensuring your diet contains the right nutrients to support health, and adding herbal extracts that benefit your particular situation will all go a long way to supporting your overall health and well-being, both now and in the long term.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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These Habits Are Damaging Our Kidneys!

It's hard to notice when we do our kidneys harm. Even if 80% damaged, kidneys can still do their job, and so we rarely realize they're struggling. Often, even common daily habits can cause your kidneys continual damage, and when you finally discover something's wrong, it's too late.

Our kidneys are incredible organs that work very hard. By themselves, they absorb minerals and nutrients, produce hormones, act as a filter for toxins in our blood, produce our urine and maintain a normal acid to alkaline ratio. We cannot live without our kidneys functioning properly. The Chinese, for example, have looked at the kidneys as a site of essential life force for centuries.

If you're serious about looking after yourself, then taking care of your kidneys should be one of your primary concerns. If you want to make sure your kidneys thrive and continue to serve you in the coming years ahead, here's a helpful list of habits you should definitely avoid: 

 

1. Drinking Soda  

A study conducted on employees working at Osaka University in Japan found that drinking 2 or more soda drinks a day (either diet or regular) may well be connected to a higher risk of kidney disease. The study included 12,000 people, and those who drank larger quantities of soda were found to have protein in their urine, which is one of the first signs of kidney damage. However, early detection can reverse the disease with proper treatment. 

 

2. A Deficiency in Vitamin B6 

The healthy function of our kidneys also depends on a healthy diet, especially one that contains certain nutrients. According to a study carried out at the University of Maryland, a vitamin B6 deficiency increases the risk of the formation of kidney stones. For healthy kidney function, a person should have at least 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 in their food every day. The best sources for this vitamin are fish, beef liver, potatoes, starchy vegetables, chickpeas and non-citrus fruits. 

 

3. Lack of Exercise  

Another good way of protecting your kidneys is to get some exercise. A comprehensive study published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that postmenopausal women who exercised had a striking 31% less risk of developing kidney stones. 

 

4. Smoking

Perhaps not surprisingly, smoking has been linked to atherosclerosis - the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels - which influences the blood supply going to all the major organs, including the kidneys. According to a study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, just smoking 2 cigarettes a day is enough to double the number of endothelial cells (the cells that line our blood vessel walls) present in your bloodstream. This is a sign of arterial damage. 

 

5. Magnesium Deficiency 

Magnesium helps our body to slow down the absorption of calcium. If we don't get enough magnesium, we get overloaded in calcium and, once again, develop kidney stones. To prevent this from happening, add some leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts or beans to your diet. Another good source of magnesium is fresh avocados. 

 

6. Not Drinking Enough Water  

One of the most important things for our kidneys is for them to get hydrated enough to perform their functions. If we don't get enough water in our system, toxins start accumulating in our blood because there isn't enough fluid to take them through the kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation recommends drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day. An easy way to check if you're drinking enough is to make sure your urine is a light color or clear. If it's dark, you're not drinking enough. You can check the color of your urine with this helpful guide. 

 

7. Not Emptying Your Bladder Fast Enough 

When you hear the call to pee, you should listen to it. Obviously, we're not always in the right situation to pee right when the need arises, but if you 'hold it in' on a regular basis, it will increase the pressure of urine on your kidneys, which can lead to renal failure or incontinence. 

 

8. Disrupted Sleep

I just love a good night's sleep and, as it turns out, so do my kidneys. According to Science Daily, a chronic disruption in our sleep can cause kidney disease. Dr. Michael Sole, Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the University of Toronto, says kidney tissues get renewed during the night while we're sleeping, so when we can't sleep without constant interruptions, our kidneys suffer direct damage. 

 

9. Having Too Much Sodium in Our Diet 

Salt is an important nutrient, but it can cause a disaster when taken in excessive amounts. Over-consumption of sodium will raise your blood pressure and put a lot of strain on your kidneys. We recommend limiting yourselves to no more than 5.8 grams (0.2 ounces) of salt per day. So put down that salt shaker! 

 

10. Consuming Too Much Caffeine 

We usually drink more caffeine than we think we do. It's in coffee, tea, soft drinks and sodas - before you know it, your body is full of caffeine, which causes your blood pressure to shoot through the roof, and your kidneys to suffer damage. 

 

11. Consuming Too Much Protein 

According to a study conducted at Harvard University, an overdose of protein in our diet can cause our kidneys damage. When we digest protein, our body produces a byproduct - ammonia. Ammonia is a toxin that your already hardworking kidneys need to neutralize. This means that the more protein we consume, the harder we make our kidneys work, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. 

 

12. Abusing Pain-Killers

Many of us have a daily routine of taking medications. When we suffer from pain, our first reaction is usually to swallow a pill. They do help the pain, but you should think twice before taking too many. All pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, and many of them cause kidney or liver damage. Check out some natural painkillers you can find or make at home. That said, some drugs SHOULD be taken, which brings us to my next point...

13. Not Taking Certain Drugs You Need 

If you suffer from high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes, two very common conditions these days, you will probably also suffer kidney damage. Don't leave these conditions untreated - take your daily meds to reduce your blood pressure and control your insulin levels. Without them, you're almost guaranteed to suffer kidney damage. 

 

14. Not Treating Common Infections 

Sometimes, we all get lazy and ignore a simple cold or a flu, which can push our body to the brink of exhaustion. Studies have shown, however, that people who do not rest or treat their infections often end up with kidney disease. 

 

15. Consuming Too Much Alcohol  

Now this is a no-brainer. The toxins in alcohol not only damage the liver, like many believe, but they are also something your kidneys simply hate to deal with. According to Kidney Health Australia and the American Kidney Fund, one good way of avoiding kidney failure is drinking alcohol in moderation.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement