Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a name given to a chronic functional problem where the patient suffers from weight gain, infertility, abnormal menstrual cycles and abnormal hair growth. This syndrome is often associated with fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, mood disturbances and many other symptoms.

PCOS is a multi-factorial functional problem that results from genetic predispositions, dietary indiscretions, environmental exposures (like mold), chronic inflammation and mineral deficiencies which eventually leads to hormonal problems.

If you suffer from PCOS, you most likely have elevated estrogen levels and high insulin levels as well. Importantly, your estrogen is being biotransformed into testosterone by an enzyme known as aromatase and aromatase is being stimulated by high insulin levels. One of the root causes of PCOS is your diet. If you consume too many sugars and carbohydrates, your liver will spend so much metabolic energy processing these carbohydrates that your estrogen levels will become elevated. This unhealthy situation occurs because the same enzyme (glucoronidase) that metabolizes carbohydrates also metabolizes estrogens. Biotoxin illness also increases aromatase levels and therefore environmental testing and remediation may be needed.

Another cause of high estrogen is a deficiency of iodine. Your ovaries can produce massive amounts of estrogen if you are iodine deficient.

To make matters worse that same high sugar, high carbohydrate (and usually low fat) diet will end up causing what is known as insulin resistance which leads to you having high insulin levels. As mentioned previously high estrogen with simultaneous high insulin levels will result in high testosterone as your estrogen is being transformed into testosterone.

Worse yet, your high estrogen combined with high insulin will lead to a form of functional hypothyroidism, which will cause additional weight gain, additional insulin resistance and additional inflammation creating a “viscous cycle”. All of these metabolic and hormonal problems can also contribute to autoimmune diseases, mood problems (like anxiety and depression), risk of cancer, and risk of heart disease and a myriad of other chronic degenerative problems.

What is the “mainstream” approach to treating PCOS? Many doctors will prescribe a diabetes drug (Metformin) to reduce insulin resistance, as well as a blood pressure medicine (Spironolactone) to block the effects of excess testosterone. Additionally, birth control pills (synthetic, non bioidentical forms of estrogen and progesterone) may be prescribed to attempt to reduce the discomfort of your irregular cycles. You may also be prescribed drugs for anxiety and depression and other drugs to treat your other symptoms.

Unfortunately, none of these common remedies actually fix your PCOS. These drugs merely cover up some of the symptoms of your PCOS.

The Metabolically Directed approach to PCOS is as follows:

• A low carbohydrate, sugar free diet – to reduce insulin resistance
• Avoidance of fried foods and vegetable oils – to reduce inflammation
• Iodine supplementation –if needed – as determined by laboratory testing
• Supplementation with calcium-d-glucarate –if indicated – to enhance hepatic detoxification of excess estrogen
• Thyroid replacement therapy – if needed – to optimize thyroid function
• Identification and remediation of biotoxin illness if present
• Other metabolic, hormonal, and immune system interventions – as needed to optimize overall metabolic balance.

In summary, optimal treatment of PCOS requires a comprehensive approach that gets to the root cause of this complex metabolic problem. Merely treating the symptoms and manifestations of PCOS will not lead to a long lasting solution.

If you are suffering from the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and are looking for effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation.