PCOS + Lower Carb Higher Protein (advise please)

LaJauna

Lower carb, yes. Atkins-dangerous in my opinion. If you are on a low carb diet, get your renal function checked intermittently. By increasing proteins, which usually happens in a low carb diet, you are causing your kidneys to work pretty hard. PCOS may pose some problems in weight loss efforts but it is not impossible.

Unless you already have kidney disease there is absolutely no proof that eating high protein/fat causes renal failure. There are whole cultures of people on our planet that eat completely CARB FREE diets without health disaster. It has only been since the introduction of sugar to our diets that our health as humans has deteriorated to the point of obesity and marked growth in diabetes and HBP. I have eaten low carb for years, (I struggle with carb addiction, which I have to address every day of my life) and my blood tests, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are in the optimum ranges. I hate when people use scare tactics without checking the facts.

LaJauna

Rather than a low carb diet that in not permanently sustainable unless you are Wonder Woman, how about something simple like giving up simple carbohydrates. SUGAR!!! Anything processed with sugar. Includes high fructose corn syrup, by the way. Eat complex carbs-vegetables, fruits and grains. If it is less than the third or fourth ingredient listed on the label, avoid it. It solves most of your concerns and helps regulate blood sugar so the body doesn't have to produce so much insulin that the cells don't recognize so well anyway. If you were wondering why insulin resistance is so dangerous. Insulin helps transport sugar into cells to be used for energy. If it is not being used in the way it is meant to, you end up with high levels of both insulin and blood sugar. Both dangerous situations. And the dark skin areas, skin tags and other symptoms mentioned are some of the results.

I agree with everything that you said, except for the part of low carb not being permanently sustainable. If someone is allergic to sugar and gluten and it is a matter of life or death, you can avoid all the foods that cause you to become sick. Low carb eating had saved my life. I eat healthier then I have ever eating in my life! I eat healthy proteins, veggies and fats. I do not eat anything made with processed carbohydrates (read: sugars and high carb grains). Anything that is worth doing comes with a price.

mck8686

Wow, I'm so glad I found this thread. I was diagnosed about 7 or 8 years ago. I have been on Metformin ever since then. About two years ago my new ob/gyn increased my dosage from one pill to four a day but I have never noticed that it helped with weight loss. In the beginning I was also put on a low dose of birth control and it really helped a lot with shorter, lighter periods and it made them much more regular. However, I had a history of migraines and they started coming back during my period. I was just past 35 and the doctor said I was in a category for increased risk of stroke and took me off the BC. After about a year and a half my periods became a nightmare and they still are. Alternately, the doctor has had to give me medicine to help regulate them when I get one that lasts for a month. I'm 38 now and trying to get pregnant. I went through a battery of tests in November with an endocrinologist and she said other than my weight and the PCOS, I'm totally healthy. I have some symptoms of thyroid problems but the tests were negative. She did find that I have a slower than average metabolism. Go figure!

On one hand that's such a relief. No diabetes or anything but I desperately need to drop my weight. I have been trying to stay around 1400 calories a day and the doctor looked at the diary I was keeping in MFP and she said I needed to double my protein (at least) and cut the carbs by half. She was looking at the default amounts MFP gives you. She didn't say I needed to be on a no carb diet. She actually believes in South Beach and suggested I give it a try. Needless to say that failed like every other diet I've tried. I know I can do this on my own with exercise and diet. I am working daily on figuring out combinations that make me feel satisfied without a bunch of carbs.

If you like eggs I suggest you incorporate a few of them into your diet. I have read articles about how the protein in eggs helps to keep you full longer and I know it really works for me. I can eat two eggs in the morning and not be hungry until lunch. That's a big deal for me. Sorry for the long post. I hope this also helps others.

crystal_sapphire

i don't have PCOS, but I follow 20% for carbs and 40% for protein and fat each. It works for me and i get my carbs from vegetables or occasional melba toast that i put tuna onto.

free2bfit

I was diagnosed with PCOS 8 years ago and was put on metformin. I lost 13 lbs the first month then got pregnant and went off them through my pregnancy. Since then I have been back on the metformin but have struggle to loose the weight. It really is about exercise and diet, I know for me one doesn't work without the other. Sure I may lose for a few week if I eat good but it doesn't continue if I don't get moving. Now, I am comitted to making a lifestyle change that I can live with the rest of my life.

AllisonMarisa

I poked around but didn't see anything, would anyone be interested in doing a "PCOS weight loss" thread? I'm starting on up a thread here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/178577-pcos-weight-loss-challenge

joanie775

Get as much protein as you can the more protein the faster the weight come's off, I go to curves and im on the weight management program there- Its all about protein

CeejayGee

My endocrinologist gave me metformin to regulate my periods and PCOS and it has made a lot of difference. Without taking it, it's hard for me to lose even a pound a week. When I take it, I am losing about 2.5 a week. And, this past week I switched to taking it in the evenings instead of mornings and I've woken up lighter every single day!

JohnnyNull

As I understand it, the Glucose Index/Load is the greatest tool for PCOS sufferers and diabetics. There's a couple "Dummies" books that are incredibly helpful and easy to use.

Of note, most people think that protein slows sugar absorption in your system. This is not really the case. It's primarily fats and fiber.

kelika71

I have PCOS and Type 2 Diabetes. This past December, I was given the news that I'm in "maintenance mode" for maintaining my blood sugar levels. My percentages are: 45% carbs, 30% protein and 25% fat. Balance & eating the right carbs is key to it all, along with regular exercise.

Godsflower1789

i was also diagnosed with pcos.

the answer i got was to take carbs out of your diet competely for a period of a month or two, and then to slowly encorporate them abck into the diet.

now, the reason being is that i am addicted to them....i'm addicted to them because they register in the body the same way sugar does. PCOS is an insulin related condition....enough said.

i've been eating mostly veggies, a few select fruits like berries, nuts, and fish and chicken. Weight loss in general is slow because of the PCOS.

BUTTTTTT

the goal should be to regulate your hormones so you don't have to "diet" for the rest of your life! and too much SUGAR in the body causes your body to become insulin resistant---thus my chocolate and pasta diet wasnt working for my PCOS

I've read Jackie Warner's "This IS Why Your Fat", "the Fat Flush Diet" book, most books that have to do with maximized living, oh...and did I mention my mom is a personal trainer? :-)
By getting rid of the enabler (sugar) you will no longer be addicted to them if you too suffer from that, and your body will start burning FAT as opposed to SUGAR.

Strong opinion? Yes, but my PCOS symptoms are almost completely gone (been working for a year) with no medication. Just exercise and eating right.

Thechubbygrl

Hiya I know this is old but I wanted to add some info that I have found over time with dealing with PCOS. It's not just about the carbs (though as the OP was asking if she should change her % then yes I think she should) She should also change her fibre intake, as the site sets it at only 15. And the main thing to note is if you do have Carbs pair it with something high in fibre and protein so it doesn't spike your levels. HTH!

# 20-50 grams of fibre per day to optimise blood glucose regulation.
# Eat small, frequent meals no more than four hours apart to prevent low blood glucose levels.
# Use portion control, especially with foods high in fat and carbohydrates.
# Two to three servings of low fat dairy foods per day.
# Increase omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish, ground flaxseeds (2-3 tablespoons per day), or fish oil.
# Lean meat and protein sources (0-3 grams of fat/ounce) should be about 18%-25% of your daily calories.
# 40%-50% of your daily calories from complex carbohydrates: vegetables, fruit, wholegrains.
# Eat foods with both high fibre and lean protein during meals and snacks to lower the glycemic load on the body

gailosborne

I have been maintaining a loss of about 100lbs for 15 months, I have PCOS and my settings are 30% fat, 30% protien and 40% carbs but I'm usually over on the protien and have carbs left over!

There was a bigger difference between carbs and protien when I was losing weight but I wouldn't know the figures, put it this way I have only introduced fruit, bread, rice, pasta and potatoes while I've been maintaining - and I've done it gradually! I also ate low fat dairy!

When you have carbs I would make sure you eat them with protien or fat too as this will help keep your blood sugar at an even keel.

I think its about what works for you - PCOS is a pretty wide spectrum and has a wide range of side effects - I have never had some of the more common side effects apart from weight gain around the middle and infertility.

concordancia

Rather than worry about my carb totals, I think about where they are coming from - I don't eat bread anymore, although I do still have a highish fiber/ low sugar breakfast cereal with yogurt. You can get plenty of carbs from fruit, vegetables, and the ones that are hidden in a lot of foods.

Thechubbygrl

Rather than worry about my carb totals, I think about where they are coming from - I don't eat bread anymore, although I do still have a highish fiber/ low sugar breakfast cereal with yogurt. You can get plenty of carbs from fruit, vegetables, and the ones that are hidden in a lot of foods.

Bread's not exactly bad for you though, nor is pasta. So long as it's whole wheat it's actually an excellent source of fibre. I found cutting something out completely made me just want to binge on it. So I found substitutes in stead. Whole wheat pizza bases, whole wheat garlic bread, whole wheat durum pasta.

LaJauna

http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/presscenter/pressreleases?pr=20051116b

Cut and paste this link to read a great article about the cure for Metabolic Syndrome/PCOD.