PCOS Review Newsletter #52

A free health newsletter for women with polycystic ovary syndrome or polycystic ovaries.

Issue #052      January 21, 2008
Nancy Dunne, N.D., Naturopathic Physician
Bill Slater, Research Associate

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) Can Carnitine Reduce PCOS-related Hair Loss?

2) Protect Your Brain and Avoid Alzheimer's (Part 2)

3) Help Your Heart, Eat Fish

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1) Can Carnitine Reduce PCOS-related Hair Loss?

Carnitine is a "vitamin-like" molecule best known for helping your muscle cells to burn fat and thus provide energy and aid fat weight loss. But carnitine has other benefits you may not be aware of.

Take hair loss for example, which is a serious problem for many women with PCOS. The authors of a very recent study have concluded: "Our findings suggest that L-carnitine stimulates human scalp hair growth." They also encourage one to "explore topical and nutraceutical administration of l-carnitine as a well-tolerated, relatively safe adjuvant treatment in the management of androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss."

Another important issue is heart disease. It's known that women with PCOS are more likely to have "endothelial dysfunction" in the walls of the arteries, which indicates the person is on the path toward atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Authors of another recent study concluded: "Our data suggest that increasing L-carnitine levels may improve obesity-associated endothelial dysfunction. This improved endothelial function may delay or prevent the development of excess cardiovascular disease."

Based on these and other studies, it appears that a carnitine nutritional supplement should be considered for inclusion in your overall health rebuilding program if you have polycystic ovary syndrome or metabolic syndrome.

Of course, it's always wise to start with the "basics" of improved diet, increased exercise and better management of chronic stress. Mastering the basics will increase the effectiveness of any supplements that you take.

Useful links:
Carnitine nutritional supplement available here
Learn more about carnitine
Learn more about female hair loss

Source:
Foitzik K et al, L-carnitine-L-tartrate promotes human hair growth in vitro, Exp Dermatol. 2007 Nov;16(11):936-45

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2) Protect Your Brain and Avoid Alzheimer's (Part 2)

New research is suggesting that there may be an association between chronic stress, depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Why would this be of interest to you if you have PCOS?

As a women with polycystic ovary syndrome, you tend to have higher levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. And you tend to be more depressed.

Chronic high levels of cortisol are known to shrink a portion of the brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system and plays a role in long term memory and spatial navigation. The limbic system is a set of brain structures that support a variety of functions including emotion, behavior and long term memory.

Recent studies using brain scans have shown that shrinkage of the hippocampus is associated with brain impairments seen in Alzheimer's disease, as well as chronic stress and reduced self-esteem.

For example, a recent study at the Montreal Neurological Institute in Canada showed that increased cortisol production in response to stress correlated with reduced volume of the hippocampus. The smaller size of the hippocampus as associated with reduced self-esteem and feelings of being in control. Self-esteem, the value we place on ourselves, affects our health, life expectancy and life satisfaction.

Another brain scan study from Umea University in Sweden of people with early Alzheimer's showed a correlation between reduced hippocampus volume and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

So what's the bottom line?

Cortisol is a stress hormone that you may not have heard about. But it's known that women with PCOS often have chronically high levels of cortisol. We also know that too much cortisol over a period of time causes a portion of your brain to atrophy (shrink).

The brain atrophy is associated with cognitive dysfunction, dementia or early Alzheimer's disease, depression, and low self-esteem.

Here are four ways to reduce your cortisol production: (1) reduce sources of chronic stress in your life; (2) be physically active; (3) eat a healthier diet; and (4) lose weight if you are overweight.

The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility is a book that gives you guidelines for these four important actions.

We strongly recommend that you not rely solely on birth control pills to deal with PCOS. You must change and improve your lifestyle.

Sources:
Elgh E et al Cognitive dysfunction, hippocampal atrophy and glucocorticoid feedback in Alzheimer's disease, Biol Psychiatry. 2006 Jan 15;59(2):155-61
Pruessner JC et al Self-esteem, locus of control, hippocampal volume, and cortisol regulation in young and old adulthood, Neuroimage. 2005 Dec;28(4):815-26
Lee AL et al Stress and depression: possible links to neuron death in the hippocampus, Bipolar Disord. 2002 Apr;4(2):117-28

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3) Help Your Heart, Eat Fish

Eating fish helps to prevent cardiovascular disease in women.

Researchers at the University of Kuopio in Finland studied a large group of men and women over a twenty year span. They discovered that women who ate the most fish were less likely to die of heart disease. The omega-3 oils found in fish are thought to be the main reason for the benefit.

This is relevant to you because PCOS women have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. So anything you can do to reduce this risk is a good idea!

We understand that there are concerns about toxins in fish. But the sad fact is that almost everything we eat, drink or breathe is polluted to some extent. Eating fish that are lower on the food chain and are not from polluted areas is your best bet.

An alternative to eating fish is to consume purified fish oil), which contains very high levels of the beneficial omega-3 oils and is cleansed of most toxins.

Source:
Jarvinen R et al, Intake of fish and long-chain n-3 fatty acids and the risk of coronary heart mortality in men and women, Br J Nutr, 2006; 95(4): 824-9

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Thought for Today: "When I hear somebody sigh that Life is hard, I am always tempted to ask, Compared to what?" -- Sydney J. Harris