PCOS Review Newsletter #79

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

Issue #079      April 23, 2009 Bill Slater, Research Associate

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) Omega-3 Fats and Antioxidants May Improve Fertility

2) Hirsutism Is Hell

3) Press Your Emotional Reset Button

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1) Omega-3 Fats and Antioxidants May Improve Fertility

Here's more good news about omega-3 fats such as those found in fish oil. Omega-3 fats perform numerous functions in your body. One of these functions is that they increase the production of hormone-like substances called "prostaglandins". Prostaglandins can influence reproductive processes.

The Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College in India studied a group of infertile women compared to another group of normally fertile women. The researchers analyzed the women's levels of omega-3 fats and antioxidants. When compared to women who ovulated regularly, the data revealed that the infertile women were lower in both omega-3 fats and antioxidants.

The implication is that increased consumption of omega-3 fats and antioxidants would improve the probability of becoming fertile.

The study pointed out that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between omega-3's and antioxidants. When you're low in antioxidants, you may be also lowering omega-3's. Why would this be?

The body's "metabolic fires" are controlled by antioxidants. When your internal fires burn too hot, molecules in your body become unstable, resulting in cell dysfunction and damage. You can think of antioxidants as similar to the knobs on your stove that control the amount of heat released by your burners. If you didn't have those control knobs, you could burn your food. The same is true for your body.

The problem with omega-3 fats is that they are rather fragile and easily damaged if you don't have enough antioxidants. So if omega-3 fats are going to correctly perform their vital functions in your body, they need to be protected by antioxidants.

Maybe you're wondering where antioxidants come from. Antioxidants consist of numerous substances that are supposed to come from your food. However, the quality of our foods has been badly compromised in recent decades because of agricultural practices, excessive processing and environmental pollution.

Even so, the primary of source of antioxidants is still the food you eat, if you consume the very highest quality foods. That's why we only include the highest quality and best variety of whole foods in The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility book.

The issue of antioxidants is especially relevant if you have PCOS because there is some evidence suggesting that this group of women tends to have insufficient antioxidant protection.

Besides food, you can also take antioxidant nutritional supplements. However, there is no pill that will completely replace the wide variety of antioxidants found in the right foods.

Source:
Mehendale SS et al, Oxidative stress-mediated essential polyunsaturated fatty acid alterations in female infertility, Hum Fertil (Camb), 2009; 12(1): 28-33

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2) Hirsutism Is Hell

Sometimes it's hard to know which PCOS symptom is the worst: excess weight, acne, hair loss, infertility, depression…or excessive hair growth. Each of these problems is emotionally painful.

Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) is particularly troublesome, according to a study at Orebro University Hospital in Sweden. Ten women with hirsutism completed a psychological evaluation.

The test results identified four closely intertwined themes: the women experienced their bodies as a yoke, a freak, a disgrace, and as a prison.

The researchers concluded; "Hirsutism deeply affects women's experiences of their bodies in a negative way."

This research is confirmed by women who have contacted us to tell us that they "feel like a freak" or that "I'm a prisoner inside my body."

This type of research is a bit breathtaking because it reminds us all of the silent suffering of millions of women who have polycystic ovary syndrome.

It's unfortunate that the majority of doctors don't have the time or inclination to help you with your emotional issues. Typically, you are prescribed birth control pills or metformin and sent on your way.

But how you feel about your body plays a huge role in your healing process and in your ability to manage PCOS. There is no separation between your mind and your body. You are one integrated being, not a collection of parts. Your emotional health is every bit as important as your physical health.

Your body will respond to how you experience it and how you feel about it. If you have negative feelings, you are likely to get a negative result. If you have positive feelings, you are likely to get a positive result.

So we invite you to pay attention to what your attitudes and feelings are about yourself. See if you can find ways to shift from a negative perspective to a positive perspective.

You can also review Chapter 14.3 "Emotional Factors" in our PCOS diet book to get some ideas.

Sources:
Ekback M et al, "It is always on my mind": women's experiences of their bodies when living with hirsutism, Health Care Women Int. 2009 May;30(5):358-72

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3) Press Your Emotional Reset Button

We personally struggle like everyone else trying to live a balanced and successful life. We have the daily challenges of life, relationships, and work. There are times when we have to take the time to remind ourselves that being in a bad mood is a choice, and that we can choose to look at our lives and situation differently.

At some point, everyone needs to retreat to refocus their thoughts, energies and resources.

When you realize that you are experiencing burnout from the reality or stress of life or the frustrations of PCOS, it's time for you to call an emotional "time out". This means becoming aware that you are not in a resourceful mindset or mental state.

Give yourself permission to nurture yourself and honor your emotions.

Keep in mind that feelings are energy and they need to be acknowledged. The more you deny your feelings, the more they will push for recognition.

There is also value in understanding that there is an important distinction between owning your negative feelings and focusing on them.

Do yourself a big favor and create an outlet that allows you to get out of your negative state of mind and honor your feelings. Allow yourself to be kind and loving towards yourself.

Find something to do for the sheer enjoyment of it and put yourself into a different reality. Put your cares temporarily into the background.

Go to a movie with a friend. Start that new knitting project you've been thinking about. Play with your pets for 10 minutes. Or take a walk and get into nature.

You can put yourself into a different mental and emotional space by reading or listening to uplifting books, CDs or DVDs. You may find meditation to be helpful. Make plans for your next vacation.

Give your body a treat by getting a massage, taking a bubble bath, or getting a pedicure.

What are some of the ways you can reset your stress button? Be creative and proactive to find solutions when you are in a sane place.

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Thought for Today: "To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves -- there lies the great, singular power of self-respect." -- Joan Didion