Does PCOS have any connection with insulin resistance?

Condition analysis:
Another telltale symptom of PCOS is steady, significant weight gain - even with reduced caloric intake. Some women report that they’re gaining weight no matter what they do. It’s not unusual for patients with PCOS to tell me they’ve recently gained 60 or more pounds in less than a year despite dieting all the time and exercise. This weight usually accumulates around their middle. Why do women with PCOS gain weight at such alarming rates? The research is showing that PCOS is strongly linked with insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance - a condition some people get by eating too many carbohydrates - leads to sustained high levels of insulin in the bloodstream. It is possible that this extra insulin hitches into the receptors lining the ovary and stimulates cyst production. This is an issue that should be monitored because women with insulin resistance have a much higher risk of developing other serious health problems, like diabetes. On the bright side, women with insulin resistance and PCOS respond very well to modifications in their diet, adding nutritional supplements (Women to Women has formulated high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade supplements to enhance your health), and beginning an exercise program. We’ve found that our patients often get normal periods as their insulin levels normalize.

Instructions:
Fish Oil: Being loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil helps reduce androgen and improve insulin sensitivity. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that omega-3 fatty acids can improve the symptoms of PCOS by balancing androgen levels.

Plus, including fatty fish in your diet or taking fish oil supplements can help decrease inflammation, reduce body fat and fight against chronic diseases.

There is no standard daily dosage for fish oil supplements. You can take one to three capsules two or three times a day or as suggested by your physician.