Almost every article on PCOS talks about insulin resistance as a cause of PCOS. Now, this insulin resistance is also observed in individuals having diabetes or prediabetes. So the question is, are PCOS and prediabetes related?
If we consider A = B and B = C, then A = C. This simple mathematical rule concludes that PCOS and prediabetes are linked. That’s a simple analogy, right?
But the next question is how? This is what we are going to understand in this article.
The Link Between Diabetes and PCOS
Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition that causes an imbalance of sex hormones in women. Women are aware of PCOS, but many are unaware that it is a pre-diabetic stage that causes hormonal imbalance and infertility.
PCOS is regarded as a pre-diabetic stage because, like diabetes, it begins to reject insulin and results in a high sugar level in the body. According to the study, women with PCOS are four times more likely to develop diabetes than women without; thus, the two disorders are linked. PCOS is a condition that cannot be cured, but awareness can help a lot, as one can recognize symptoms and prevent further complications by diagnosing it at an early stage.
Further, research suggests that PCOS may lead to prediabetes or diabetes.
Let’s now understand how PCOS leads to diabetes.
According to one study, over 10 million women worldwide suffer from Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine system condition. PCOS is a pre-diabetic condition that creates a sex hormone imbalance in women. This hormonal imbalance inhibits insulin excretion,
resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes. Women who get PCOS at a young age are more likely to develop diabetes and cardiac problems. PCOS can be managed by following a healthy diet and beginning each day with physical activity.
When testosterone levels are high, it promotes insulin production, resulting in insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, both of which are associated with the development of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
High insulin levels appear to be not only a side consequence of PCOS but also play a role in creating and perpetuating PCOS. High insulin levels drive the ovaries to release more hormones, including testosterone. This, in turn, causes problems such as hair growth, abnormal
menstruation periods, and weight gain.
Insulin directly stimulates the production of androgens by theca cells, which are specialized cells in the ovary. Insulin can also cause a rise in the number of theca cells within the ovary, boosting its capacity to produce androgens.
High amounts of insulin can also reduce the development of a protein called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which leads to increased levels of male hormones.
And what about the weight gain that many people with PCOS experience? Insulin has been shown to enhance hunger (and to make sweet meals taste even sweeter, boosting the desire to eat more). It also inhibits fatty acid oxidation, making fat burning more difficult and perhaps contributing to weight gain.
A final question after understanding how PCOS and prediabetes are linked, viz., how can you control both before their onset?
The answer is as simple as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which is essential for both conditions.
| Foods to take | Foods to avoid |
| Fruits and vegetables. | Processed meat |
| Proteins like chicken breasts, turkey, low-fat dairy, and fish | Trans fats |
| Healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds | Carbohydrates from sugar, white flour, white pasta, white rice, etc. |
| Whole grains | Fast food and substitutes for sugar or sugar- fat-containing foods. |
Exercise: As a treatment for obesity and diabetes, regular exercise is essential for a healthy body. Regular exercise helps to burn extra sugar and makes cells more insulin responsive. This allows the body to use insulin more effectively, which is advantageous for both PCOS and diabetes.
Takeaway
“PCOS and prediabetes are linked” is a statement that we can all agree on. People with PCOS are likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the future if they are not treated at an early stage. A healthy diet and exercise may cast a spell and help manage symptoms of both PCOS and
diabetes.
Pro Tip: A healthy diet is essential for managing obesity and lowering the risk of PCOS and diabetes. Ensure that your food is rich in nutrients, such as whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
If you have read so far, then you might be the one looking for help. I am an ayurvedic health practitioner and have been dealing with similar cases for the past 15 years. The successful reversal of both conditions in a natural way makes me confident enough to say that PCOS and
diabetes caused due to PCOS can be reversed in a completely natural way.
So, if you wish to get in touch with me, you can book a consultation session at eliteayurveda.com.
