Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is an endocrine disorder found in around 6.5% of reproductive-age women. The condition leads to several other ailments such as obesity, infertility, menstrual abnormality, insulin resistance (IR), clinical hyperandrogenism and hyperandrogenemia. In addition, it leads to a lot of physical and mental stress for a woman. If you see symptoms such as irregular periods, sudden weight gain, fatigue, or sudden acne combined with period problems, it is best to consult a gynaecologist. The general treatment of the condition involves:
- Insulin-reducing drugs.
- Anti-androgen treatment.
- Oral contraceptives.
Besides this, one should follow a strict implementation of lifestyle and dietary changes to combat PCOD. Here are some tips you can begin with:
What dietary changes to make in your lifestyle?
To help you through the treatment of the ailment, Dr Kaberi Banerjee, IVF Specialist and Director of Advance Fertility and Gynaecology Centre, New Delhi, shares 5 super adequate, hydrating, and nutritious food to tackle PCOD-
Low GI (glycemic index) Diet
With a low GI diet, you can prevent insulin levels from rising in your body as it slows digestion. While if you consume carbohydrates, your body insulin levels can go high, which is highly unsuitable for a person with PCOD. You must consume whole grains, seeds, fruits, legumes, nuts, and other unprocessed, low-carbohydrate diets.
DASH diet
It is a particular type of diet that helps manage the symptoms of PCOD. The diet consists of vegetables, poultry, fruits, fish, whole grain, and low-fat dairy products. While following the diet, one must not consume saturated fat and sugar. The diet type has shown effective results with lower insulin levels and belly fat in women with menstrual ailments. However, one must consult an expert before following it as it may differ with different severities of PCOD.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
Make sure you consume anti-inflammatory food products such as green leafy vegetables, berries, fatty fish, along extra virgin olive oil. These foods may help in reducing inflammation-related problems such as fatigue, which helps maintain an active body and control PCOD.
While above is a list of food and diet that one must follow to maintain a healthy lifestyle, here are some foods that must avoid in such a scenario-
- Refined carbohydrates like pastries and white bread.
- Excess oil and hence lower the intake of fried foods or fast food.
- Sugar is highly harmful to people suffering from PCOD, and one must avoid sugary beverages like sodas and energy drinks.
- If you are a non-vegetarian, avoid processed meats. Also, avoid excess red meat.
Conclusion
While diet is an essential aspect of tackling PCOD, at the same time, it is equally important that you exercise daily and keep your body active. Morning and evening walks are a simple and easy solution for the same. Remember, it is always possible to reduce the symptoms of PCOD, but that can only happen with a controlled diet, exercise, and regular medication.
(These are generic tips to follow; make sure to consult your doctor before making any regular change in your diet and lifestyle.)
