How do you know if you have a PCOS belly?
If you suffer from PCOS, you may be wondering what a PCOS belly looks like. There are two types of fat in the abdomen: subcutaneous fat, which is soft under the skin, and visceral fat, which covers the organs. Together, they can give the abdomen a beer-belly look. Although the abdominal wall is made of tough fibrous tissue and muscle, it can be swollen and hard from excess fat.
What happens when you drink alcohol with PCOS? Studies show that drinking alcohol increases estrogen levels and decreases progesterone levels. For that reson drinking, especially heavy, or binge drinking, can aggravate your hormonal imbalance and increase the severity of your PCOS symptoms.
Healthy fats curb pcos belly fat
The good news is that you can curb your PCOS belly fat by reducing your sugar intake and eating more healthy fats. These fats are called unsaturated fats and can be found in avocado, butter, nuts, and fish. They keep you full and help your body absorb vitamins. They are also good for your hormone levels.
A PCOS diet is very important if you want to lose your belly fat. Eating the right kinds of food is important, but you can also make other evidence-based lifestyle changes, such as fasting and exercise. By doing this, you can improve your insulin sensitivity and reduce your PCOS belly fat.
The symptoms of PCOS may include:
- Acne or oily skin
- Excess body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back (hirsutism)
- Ovaries that are large or have many cysts
- Weight gain, especially around the belly (abdomen)
- Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Infertility
- Small pieces of excess skin on the neck or armpits (skin tags)
- Dark or thick skin patches on the back of the neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts
Lifestyle changes can help manage PCOS symptoms
Although PCOS is often genetic in nature, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to manage the symptoms. Lifestyle changes can include adjusting your diet and reducing your insulin resistance. This will help balance your blood sugar levels and improve your metabolism. Another important step is to balance your hormone levels. High androgen levels are associated with the symptoms of PCOS.
Reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates in your diet is another way to help manage your symptoms. Refined carbs, which are found in processed foods, are not good for your body. Refined carbs include white flour, rice, potatoes, and sugar. These carbohydrates are also high in calories and can lead to obesity and other health issues.
While there is no cure for PCOS, a healthy diet and increased physical activity can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Increasing your intake of healthy fats, lean proteins, and low-GI carbohydrates will help control your PCOS symptoms and improve your overall health. You can also consult your doctor if you are interested in making dietary changes.
Many women report that one of the biggest challenges they face when implementing lifestyle changes is fatigue. This may be due to physiological or psychological factors. Additionally, women with PCOS have a higher incidence of sleep disorders and poor sleep quality. Studies have shown that up to 35 percent of women with PCOS have obstructive sleep apnea.
Overweight women with PCOS are prone to obesity. Therefore, losing excess weight can help manage your PCOS symptoms and lower your risk of developing chronic illnesses. It is also important to exercise regularly, since physical activity can improve insulin resistance and overall health. Experts recommend that women with PCOS get 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
Insulin resistance is another common cause of PCOS. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels and helps the body use glucose for energy. However, high insulin levels can lead to complications. You can combat this by eating a healthy diet rich in fiber and anti-inflammatory foods. A well-balanced diet will help you manage PCOS symptoms.
Exercising can be an extremely challenging part of managing PCOS symptoms, but it's essential to do it on a regular basis. Regardless of the type of exercise you choose, regular physical activity can help you to lose weight and reduce the concentration of testosterone in your blood. In addition to daily activity, you should include nutritional supplements that can help to combat the symptoms of PCOS.
Conclusion
PCOS is a metabolic disease which has unfavorable effects on the lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism and cardiovascular risk parameters. It has been shown that some drugs which are used in treatment of PCOS also have unfavorable effects on these parameters. Therefore, the metabolic effects of the drugs should be considered in treatment selection. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928416/
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