While most of the hormones generally work independently, few require external help and caution to regenerate and work in sync with the rest of the body. One of the most unstable hormones in the body is insulin. Even a week-long holiday with all your favorite junk food and desserts is enough to bring an imbalance to how insulin works with your body's cells.
Insulin is the hormone that helps glucose to reach the cells in your muscles, liver, and fat to be used as energy or stored for later use. When there is a lot of glucose in the form of refined sugars or carbohydrates, insulin takes glucose from the blood (blood sugar), enabling muscle and liver cells to absorb this glucose and keep blood sugar levels in control. So, when the doctor states that your blood sugar is too high or too low, your insulin is not working appropriately.
This is the beginning of diabetes in the body for a healthy woman, but some women don't binge on desserts or fatty foods and yet tend to develop diabetes. This type of diabetes happens not because of dietary issues but because of underlying hormonal problems and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which stems from them. Diabetes and PCOS in women go hand in hand; one can always cause the other. Let's understand the connection and know how to prevent diabetes when you have PCOS.
How are PCOS and diabetes connected?
It has been studied that women affected by PCOS have an onset of type-2 diabetes earlier than expected. It also goes the other way around; diabetic women have a higher chance of suffering from PCOS. The reason behind it is the effect of PCOS on the hormones and the very fact that PCOS happens due to hormonal imbalances.
Insulin is the hormone that controls how your body metabolizes glucose. Many women with PCOS, which also causes disturbances in the hormonal levels, have higher than normal insulin levels. When the body produces more insulin than it needs, there is always a high level of glucose in the blood, which later becomes the cause of diabetes. Let us explain-
Think of insulin as the guard on the doorway of your cells from where they take in glucose. The cells become resistant to constant high levels of insulin in the body.
When the cells do not heed warnings of insulin, they take in more glucose than they can process. This leads to the prolonged stagnant presence of glucose in the cells. When there is lots of unused glucose in the tissues, they weaken and start to procure more damage from inside and out. In diabetes, the patient cannot heal from even minor wounds that generally repair themselves within days. With PCOS diminishing the ability of the body to control insulin production, insulin resistance in the cells increases, and so do the chances of type-2 diabetes.
Cautions to take with PCOS
PCOS generally has no immediate symptoms that show up, and diabetes will only show up through bodily dysfunctions. However, taking note of certain things if you have PCOS can help you detect prediabetes. Ensure that you call up the doctor if you notice the following symptoms-
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores and frequent infections
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or shaking limbs
Sudden loss of muscle mass and feeling weak even after eating right are the first signs of prediabetes. At this stage, you can still control your bodily functions and prevent diabetes. Taking the proper steps will give the control back in your hands-
How to prevent diabetes with PCOS?
Since PCOS and diabetes go hand-in-hand, their treatment is no different. All the steps that you take to prevent diabetes help you to reverse the effects of PCOS as well, which includes regulating your hormones. Only a handful of illnesses ail us, which cannot be treated with a healthy diet and good exercise. Here's what you need to do to prevent diabetes-
Diet : A balanced diet is the easiest way to a pain-free and long life. Include these dietary habits in your daily life to keep diabetes at bay-
- Eat many colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, beetroot, oranges, grapefruit, etc.
- Add lean protein sources like turkey, chicken breasts, low-fat dairy, fish, and low-fat legumes like sprouts.
- Eat only the healthy fats from foods like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and cod liver oil.
- Eat more whole grain foods like dals, wholewheat, barley, millets, brown rice, etc.
Women suffering from PCOS shall avoid eating foods like-
- Processed meats
- Trans fats from chips and fried foods
- Refined carbs include basmati rice, fine flour (maida), white bread, and white pasta.
- Fast foods and junk foods are high in calories.
- Low-fat foods that hide sugar in the place of fats.
Exercise
Exercise and movement are the best ways to set the natural rhythms and functions of the body. It will not only burn excess glucose for diabetes but also balance the hormonal movement in the body and control the effects of PCOS. Try the following cardio exercises to prevent diabetes-
- Walking for at least thirty minutes every day
- Swimming for at least 5-8 laps
- Jumping rope if you don't have much weight
- 10 reps of squats at least thrice a day
A balanced diet and exercise routine will help you prevent diabetes from PCOS. However, if you have been suffering from PCOS for a long time, you can also try herbal supplements that help in controlling PCOS.
Namyaa PCOD and PCOS Tablets are a boon for regular ovulation and periods. Formulated with certified rare herbs, it can regulate your hormones and treat PCOS and PCOD. The Ayurvedic formulation ensures healthy ovaries and balanced female hormones for long-term use. Get control of your hormones and PCOS today!
