Callalil's PCOS Pages - Natural Remedies for PCOS and Insulin Resistance

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Natural Remedies for PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Progesterone Creams

Many women have had success using progesterone cream to produce regular periods after experiencing PCOS-related amenhorrea as an alternative to taking Provera. If you have been using progesterone cream and think you may be pregnant, be sure that you aren't before you stop using it because it is possible that suddenly stopping could cause a miscarriage.

Cinnamon

1/2 to 3/4 tsp. of cinnamon with every meal helps keep insulin & blood sugar levels under control. It contains a phytochemical called methyl hydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) which improves cellular glucose utilization and increases the sensitivity of insulin receptors. ¹

Glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid which has been shown in animal studies to prevent high blood sugar and insulin levels in mice that were susceptible to developing high sugar levels when fed a high-fat diet. ²

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids)

Help keep cell membranes flexible. Flexible cell membranes have more and better insulin receptors, which improves glucose metabolism. Flax seed and some kinds of deep-sea fish have them - you can get it in capsules too - borage oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil, flax seed oil, fish oil. ¹

Chromium

Chromium deficiency produces symptoms of diabetes and insulin resistance, including high blood sugar levels, decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors, lower HDL (good) cholesterol and high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Modern diets that are rely heavily on sugar and refined grains (white flour and white rice, for example) aggravate chromium deficiency because more chromium is used to metabolize them than is replaced by the foods. Chromium picolinate seems to be the most bio-available form, though GTF chromium has been studied longer and is recommended by Drs. Rachael and Richard Heller, authors of the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet books; 200 mcg/day of either may prevent diabetes in those predisposed to it and improve insulin resistance symptoms. ¹

1. Health and Nutrition Breakthroughs, September 1998.
2. Health and Nutrition Breakthroughs, November 1997.
3. Goldfine, A.B., Simonson, D.C., Folli, F., Patti, M.E., Kahn, C.R., Metabolic Effects of Sodium Metavanadate in Humans with Insulin Dependent and Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus In Vivo and In Vitro Studies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab., 1995, 80 (11): 3311-3320.
4. Goldfine, A.B., Simonson, D.C., Folli, F., Patti, M.E., Kahn, C.R., In vivo and In Vitro Studies of Vanadate in Human and Rodent Diabetes Mellitus. Mol Cell Biochem., 1995, 153: 217-231.

The information provided by this site is for educational purposes and is in no way meant to replace qualified advice from a medical practitioner.