PCOS Review Newsletter #16
Natural Health Ideas for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
A free monthly newsletter for women with ovarian cysts or PCOS.
Issue #016 October 4, 2004
Nancy Dunne, N.D., Naturopathic Physician
Bill Slater, Research Associate
1) Castor Oil Packs for Ovarian Difficulties
2) Green Tea Helps Weight Loss
1) Castor Oil Packs for Ovarian Difficulties
Castor bean oil has been used externally for centuries as a natural therapy. The Edgar Cayce Readings inform us that castor oil packs are to be used to improve assimilation, elimination and circulation, especially of the lymphatic system.
Castor oil appears to have a unique ability to sink transdermally (through the skin) to relax smooth muscle. This simple mechanical action has a beneficial influence on all hollow organs, specifically the blood and lymph vessels, the uterus, fallopian tubes, bowels, gall bladder, and even the liver (which is not hollow but is filled with venous lakes).
Castor oil packs have many applications, and are specific for cases of uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts that are not cancerous. Packs may also relieve ovarian pain or help with healing after a ruptured ovarian cyst.
Go here for more information about castor oil packs.
2) Green Tea Helps Weight Loss
Several studies have shown that drinking green tea helps you to lose weight, lose inches, and boost your metabolic rate.
Green tea, which contains caffeine and catechins, aids thermogenesis and appears to inhibit appetite and enhance metabolism. In one study, green tea extracts were given to moderately obese individuals for 3 months. The individuals received two 375-mg capsules, twice daily, for a total epigallocatechin gallate (active ingredient) dose of 270 milligrams per day. After 12 weeks, body weight decreased by a mean of 4.6% and waist circumference by 4.5%.
In another study of 10 healthy male volunteers, daily consumption of green tea extract was associated with an increase in the metabolic rate equivalent to a 4% increase in energy expenditure compared with placebo.
In a survey of 569 men and 641 women, 43% had consumed tea one or more times per week for at least 6 months. Habitual tea drinkers for more than 10 years showed a 19.6% reduction in body fat percentage and a 2.1% reduction in waist-to-hip ratio compared with non-habitual tea drinkers.
If you're having a challenge with weight and you're drinking diet soft drinks, fruit juices, or milk, consider drinking pure water, green tea and herbal teas instead.
Source:
Chantre P et al, Recent findings of green tea extract AR25
(Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity,
Phytomedicine, 2002, 9(6):3-8
Dulloo, AG et al, Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in
catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy
expenditure and fat oxidation in humans1,2,3, American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition, 1999, 70(6,):1040-1045
Wu, CH et al, Relationship Among Habitual Tea Consumption,
Percent Body Fat, and Body Fat Distribution, Obes Res,
2003;11(9):1088-1095
3) Your Blood System at Risk
As you probably know, women with PCOS have a higher risk of heart disease. A recent study on platelet aggregation reminded us of this problem. In simple terms, platelet aggregation means blood clots. Platelets are small cell-like particles that individually float around in your blood. When you cut yourself, chemicals are released to signal the platelets to start sticking to each other at the site of injury. The resulting blood clot stops the bleeding.
Unfortunately, some people tend to form blood clots when there is no bleeding to be stopped. The clots (platelet aggregations) float around until they get stuck somewhere in a blood vessel, thus blocking the supply of blood to some of your tissues. Platelets will also attach themselves to the walls of your blood vessels, where they cause damage and other problems.
In a study of 50 lean women with PCOS compared to a control group, it was found that the PCOS women had a much stronger tendency toward platelet aggregation. It appeared that insulin resistance was the primary factor.
Other studies have suggested that PCOS women frequently have elevated markers for inflammation, such as elevated C-reactive protein. Most doctors now agree that heart disease is an inflammatory condition.
Since you're likely to have more inflammation and a greater tendency for blood clots, you're definitely at risk for cardiovascular problems.
A good first step in lowering your risk is to reduce platelet aggregation. You can do this with regular moderate exercise, and a healthy diet consisting of more fish, fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid processed foods as much as you can. Especially avoid trans fats (check labels), any rancid oil, or fried or deep-fried foods. Be moderate with fatty red meats. Fish oil, garlic, vitamin E, vitamin B6 are helpful supplements. A B-complex vitamin and/or antioxidant formula should be considered.
Breast cancer is not the #1 killer of women. Heart disease is. If you have PCOS and are just taking birth control pills and not doing anything else for your basic health, this is your wake-up call.
Source: Dereli, D et al, Platelet dysfunction in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome and association with insulin sensitivity, J Clin Endocrin Metab, 2003, 88(5):2263-2268
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