PCOS and Raw

[Soka]

I have PCOS and my husband and I want to start a family in the next year or two. Right now the only option open to us is expensive IVF. If we could get my reproductive system working again, then everything would be great. I'd like to stay off medication as much as possible. I like doing things the natural way.

So I guess what I'm asking is, have any of you had PCOS had experienced a change with a raw diet. I know raw is not a cure-all, but I know it has helped with many health problems, so I was wondering if there were any cases of women getting their reproductive health back or something like that due to a raw diet and exercise.

I'm not raw yet, but I'm working on it. I eat at least one piece of raw food a day (banana, carrots, ect) Hopefully I can work up to making one meal a day be raw, but we shall see.

[dread head vegan]

hello,
i have PCOS and have was on fertility pills. but now i am off of the pills. and went 100% raw and i have had my period for the last 2 months. i can't rember the last time that happend. anyway, good luck with everything. i know lots of people who have cured themselves from PCOS

[dreamspinner]

Dread Head Vegan; I also have PCOS and am on my fifth day of raw. I have a question, I have a huge problem with excessive hair, on my face, back and just about everywhere that a woman doesn't want it so, my question. Did or do you have hirisitism (excessive Hair) with your PCOS and did it go away with 100% raw foods?

dreamspinner

[tanishamarshall]

I was diagnosed with PCOS and since going High Raw, I have had regular monthly cycles since 2006 and no pain, and it is not heavy. I also had cyst on my ovaries but I believe they are gone, I still need to go to doctor to confirm.

Raw does wonders for PCOS, at least for me. As for hair I have that issue, it has slowed down but not totally gone.

[dreamspinner]

Docsharp, well, that's a start and gives me some hope! Sorry if I took over this thread but I got so excited with dreadhead's postitive response to Soka that I just jumped in!:o Thanks

[Soka]

Thanks everyone! I don't have as much excess hair, or well, I do, it is just very light in color so its hardly visable. I was taking Metformin but since I can't stand taking medication, I stopped taking it.

The problem is, I can't seem to make myself eat raw foods. I crave cooked food every time I start trying to go raw. Would moving in gradually help with the cravings?

My husband and I really want to start a family so if this can help in any way, I want to give it a shot.

(Oh and I had what is probably a really silly question. Is yellow mustard raw?)

[Eva]

(Oh and I had what is probably a really silly question. Is yellow mustard raw?)
No, it's not, but there are raw recipes for it. :)

[Soka]

If there is a raw version, I'll have to try it.

I found a book at work that says weight loss and getting your insulin problem under control are the first steps of getting your fertility back. I'm about 50-55lbs overweight. I have a gym membership so I'm going to start going to work out and if I can't make it to the gym, then I'll work out at home.

Oh, is there anything that is toxic raw? Someone once told me when I was little that potatoes were toxic raw but I ate the heck out of them and was fine, so I don't think those are toxic. Anything I should be wary of?

[lore-ah]

Raw has helped with my ovarian cysts in the past (as you can see I'm just coming back to raw). I can't help with fertility issues those as that hasn't been a concern of mine. The crux of PCOS and ovarian cysts is low carb/low GI which raw seems to be. Also, maca seemed to help, as well

UGH I hate these cysts.

[SandyGrl777]

What is low GI?

I have a cyst and know low carb but want to do low GI but need to know what that is - sorry if stupid question :)

Also, what is maca??

Thanks a bunch :)

[Soka]

Thanks. I will start including more raw items in my diet and eventually transition over to a completely raw diet. Yesterday I had one raw meal and two cooked meals. We will see how today goes.

[lore-ah]

What is low GI?

I have a cyst and know low carb but want to do low GI but need to know what that is - sorry if stupid question :)

Also, what is maca??

Thanks a bunch :)

Not stupid questions at all!

Gah I can never remember what GI stands for but basically a GI diet is made up of foods that don't spike your insulin levels. Processed foods and simple carbs like some veggies and fruits and most definitely things like white bread and rice are common things.

Maca is a powerdered root; I buy mine raw from this site. People says it does a lot for them including increasing libido, helps feminine issues and gives you energy. Never got the libido thing :( but definitely energy boots and it helps with my cysts.

[SandyGrl777]

Thanks Lore for answering my question - I heard of the Maca - how do you use it just case I do purchase it from this site?

[lore-ah]

I add a tablespoon to a smoothie once a day. Some people don't like the taste, it is pretty strong. I have found some raw cacao in the smoothie masks the tastes perfectly

[Moretta]

What is low GI?

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health. Low GI diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2). They have benefits for weight control because they help control appetite and delay hunger. Low GI diets also reduce insulin levels and insulin resistance.

The glycemic index range is as follows:
Low GI = 55 or less
Medium GI = 56 - 69
High GI = 70 or more

Benefits of Eating a Low Glycemic Diet

Since low-GI foods are digested and absorbed gradually, glucose trickles into the blood stream slowly and steadily. In contrast, high GI carbs, which are absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, markedly increase extreme ups and downs in blood glucose.

The repeated spikes in blood glucose levels following meals of high GI foods increases oxidative vascular damage and raises insulin levels, both of which contribute to heart disease and diabetes.

Some of the benefits of low GI carbohydrates in the diet are:

• Helps control appetite

• Sustains the feeling of fullness between meals

• Lowers insulin demand

• Enables sustainable weight control

• Improves long-term control of blood glucose levels in diabetics

• Reduces risk of developing coronary heart disease

• Reduces cholesterol

• Balances energy levels

• Lowers the risk of developing type II diabetes

• Improves endurance

Guidelines For Low Glycemic Eating

A common sense approach to eating mostly low GI foods is to consult a list of low glycemic foods and swap out the high GI carbs in favor of low GI foods.

1. Enjoy freely all kinds of raw organic vegetables and non-sweet fruits

2. Consume raw nuts, seeds and sprouts

3. Eat whole grains,

4. Limit corn and watermelon

5. Dress your salads with vinaigrette

6. Omit sugary foods and soft drinks entirely



Criticisms Of The Glycemic Index
The Gi index is a convenient way to measure blood sugar levels, however, a low GI rating is not necessarily the best criteria for selecting healthy foods, For instance potato chips have a much lower glycemic index than a baked potato. Here are some important considerations when choosing low GI foods.

the GI value of a food varies considerably depending on it's age, variety and ripeness (ripe bananas have a much higher index that unripe one for example)
GI does not take into account the effect of other sugars, such as fructose on blood chemistry
the GI index is based on a size of 50g of carbohydrates per serving. For this reason the glycemic load was created
it is difficult to measure the glycemic index of a meal containing a variety of food types
Why Are Some Foods Absent From the Glycemic Index?

The GI can only be applied to foods containing a reasonable proportion of carbohydrates. Many foods, such as leafy greens, meats, avocados, and berries, do not appear on the index as they have only a neglible effect on raising blood sugar.

Other foods, such as parsnips and pumpkins, while having high GI values contain so little carbohydrate that they hardly affect blood sugar levels and can be eaten freely.

Choosing foods with a GI of less than 50 is most stabilizing to blood sugar and insulin production.

[lore-ah]

Well there's a much better answer than mine!