PCOS Review Newsletter #70
A free health newsletter for women with polycystic ovary syndrome or polycystic ovaries.
Issue #070 December 3, 2008 Bill Slater, Research Associate
1) New "Gold Standard" for Managing PCOS?
2) Does L-Carnitine Have an Anti-Aging Effect?
3) Acupressure Device Reduces Insomnia
1) New "Gold Standard" for Managing PCOS?
A courageous group of Italian doctors at the University of Naples have called for a more comprehensive approach to dealing with PCOS. We feel it's long overdue for the medical community to recommend a comprehensive strategy rather than a piecemeal therapy of this or that particular pharmaceutical.
We've very excited that this group of medical professionals is echoing our call. Rather than talk about what they said, we'll just quote directly from the abstract of their report (the emphasis is ours). Please read this carefully and completely!
"The treatment of PCOS and its complications should not be based solely on pharmacological therapies trying to improve hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance."
"Although mounting evidence recognizes the beneficial effects of lifestyle modifications, the clinical management of PCOS is not sufficiently focused on long-term maintenance of both exercise and dietary interventions and on further aspects of this syndrome (i.e., psychological status)."
"Taking into consideration the patients' young age and the devastating effects of PCOS on hormonal and metabolic pattern, this complex and multifaceted disease requires a comprehensive approach in order to achieve concrete beneficial effects for PCOS patients."
"Multidisciplinary programs, including dietary and educational counseling, exercise training, stress management and psychosocial support, might represent the gold standard for adequate reduction of cardiovascular risk in young women with PCOS."
Our PCOS book and all of the information on this site exemplifies this approach.
Please don't think that just because you are taking a pharmaceutical, you are doing all that can be done for your condition.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is so much more than a little problem with your ovaries. Your entire body is involved. What you do or don't do about your diet and lifestyle will affect every aspect of your health and well-being, and will influence your risk of developing future chronic diseases.
Sources:
Giallauria F et al Cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2008 Oct;9(10):987-992
2) Does L-Carnitine Have an Anti-Aging Effect?
We reported in a previous newsletter a study showing that women with PCOS had significantly lower l-carnitine levels than the healthy women. The researchers said: "Decreased total l-carnitine levels may be associated with hyperandrogenism and/or insulin resistance in non-obese women with PCOS."
Since this nutrient may be relevant to you, let's review some highlights.
We recently shared research with you showing l-carnitine helps to promote hair growth and thus could be useful if you're suffering from hair loss.
It's well known that l-carnitine helps people to lose fat weight. If you are overweight or have a lot of abdominal fat, l-carnitine supplementation is something to consider.
It's known that women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing diabetes. L-carnitine has been shown to reduce that risk and reduce blood sugar fluctuations.
It's known that women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. For example, women who have polycystic ovary syndrome commonly have a circulatory problem called "endothelial dysfunction". L-carnitine reduces endothelial dysfunction, thus reducing heart disease risk.
L-carnitine may be valuable in other ways, according to a couple of studies we discovered.
The first study showed that when older rats were supplemented with l-carnitine, their metabolism improved. Their fat mass was reduced and muscle capability was increased. The researchers concluded: "These results suggest that supplementation with L-carnitine may offset some of the negative health effects associated with aging."
Another interesting study examined how l-carnitine might affect blood flow after eating a high-fat meal. (We don't recommend eating high fat meals, since they tend to clog up your circulation.) One group of people took supplemental l-carnitine for 3 weeks, the other group took a placebo. As expected, after eating a high fat meal, the blood circulation in the placebo group got worse. In contrast, the circulation in the l-carnitine group actually improved.
L-carnitine has a lot going for it. Unlike drugs, it does not have side effects.
The medical research suggests that l-carnitine may help you to resolve some of the health issues associated with PCOS.
Click here to obtain high-quality l-carnitine.
Sources:
Bernard A et al, L-carnitine supplementation and physical exercise restore age-associated decline in some mitochondrial functions in the rat, J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2008; 63(10): 1027-33
Volek JS et al, Effects of carnitine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation and vascular inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal in healthy young adults, Am J Cardiol, 2008; 102(10): 1413-17
3) Acupressure Device Reduces Insomnia
If you have trouble getting a good night's sleep, this wrist acupressure device may help. It's called ''H7-insomnia control".
There is an acupuncture energy meridian point known as HT-7, which appears to reduce insomnia and anxiety.
A recent study from the University of Rome in Italy analyzed two groups of people who had insomnia. One group wore an acupressure wrist device for the HT-7 acupuncture point, while the other group wore a sham device. The study lasted 20 days.
The acupressure device was found to improve the quality of sleep and reduce anxiety. The device also appeared to normalize the hormone melatonin, which governs your day-night biorhythm.
In an earlier newsletter, we said that melatonin may also be important for improving the quality of your eggs and could be a factor in restoring a normal cycle and fertility.
So consider acupuncture as another way to achieve your personal health goals, including possibly rebalancing your melatonin function.
Source:
Nordio M et al Efficacy of wrists overnight compression (HT 7 point) on insomniacs: possible role of melatonin? , Minerva Med, 2008; 99(6): 539-47
Thought for Today: "A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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