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Endometriosis and Alcohol: A Sensible Cocktail or a Toxic Mix?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects around 1.5 million women in the UK alone. It is characterised by tissue growth, similar to the womb's lining growing in other locations, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. In this blog post, we will talk about the link between endometriosis and alcohol, exploring how alcohol could be responsible for the development of endometriosis and its effects on symptoms such as increased pelvic pain. So if this is something that has been troubling you, read on as we share insights on how individuals dealing with endometriosis can still enjoy alcohol whilst also providing guidance for those wanting to cut back on the booze.
Acne in PCOS: Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Skin
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 6-20% of reproductive age females characterised by hyperandrogenism (excess androgen production), a hormonal imbalance that causes ovary dysfunction, infertility, and skin problems.
This article will cover common skin issues associated with PCOS. So if you are struggling with cystic acne or something similar, are embarrassed to go out with friends or find yourself spending hours covering up your skin before you leave the house in the morning, then read on for some tips on how to treat and manage PCOS related acne.
42 Breakfast Ideas for PCOS - Healthy and Delicious Ways to Start Your Day
I’m sure you’ve heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day but have you ever wondered why and how it could help your PCOS symptoms? Maybe you just can’t find the time in the morning to make breakfast but you would really like to find a way to start the day off right? Well, keep reading because we explain how the first meal of the day can help you with your PCOS symptoms and we’ve created a one stop resource for different types of breakfast recipes, whether you prefer sweet or savoury, or only have five minutes in the morning - this blog post is for you!
PCOS and a Vegetarian Diet: What are the benefits?
Have you heard that a plant-based diet may help your polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms but you are not sure how or why? If you are looking for ways to adapt your current diet with meal plan ideas, practical tips and evidence based information on the benefits of eating plants with PCOS then you have come to the right place. Whether you have been a vegetarian for five years or just recently looking to increase your intake of plants into your current diet then this blog post is for you.
We will explain the different types of plant-based diets, the research behind how plants can help your PCOS symptoms, specific nutrients to look out for when eating plants to ensure you are getting everything you need in a healthy and well balanced diet with PCOS, and a meal plan to start you off! So, let’s get into it.
Recipe: Peanut Butter Balls
Don't you just love it when you remember an old recipe you used to make all the time and haven't done for ages!?! This is so simple and easy and the chocolate coating makes them feel like little piece of luxury! The great thing about making balls like this is you can use any nut butter you like and could even add other things like coconut, cranberries or other dried fruit, orange zest...the list goes on.
PCOS & Hair Loss: Can it be Reversible?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that significantly affects the lives of many women. One prevalent symptom of PCOS is hair loss, affecting a substantial 20% to 30% of people with PCOS (1). Dealing with PCOS can be challenging because it brings along a range of other symptoms like acne, infertility, weight gain, and hair loss. But don't worry, in this blog, we will help you navigate through the different treatment options available to manage PCOS-related hair loss effectively. We’ll also dive into the symptoms and causes of hair loss associated with PCOS. So, let's get started!
PCOS and Ovulation Tests: Can They Help Track Your Cycle?
Ovulation in people with PCOS is notoriously difficult to track due to them commonly experiencing irregular or no menstrual cycles. In fact, around 80% of those with PCOS suffer from anovulatory infertility; infertility caused by a lack of ovulation. Saying that, even if getting pregnant isn’t your goal at the moment, having a regular menstrual cycle is a sign of a healthy reproductive system and irregular periods may be part of your PCOS symptom profile. So if you are struggling with an irregular menstrual cycle and wondering how you can optimise it then read on, as this blog will look at how ovulation tracking and testing can be useful tools you might want in your tool box.
Endometriosis Flare Ups: What You Need To Know To Manage Symptoms
Around 10% of women globally are said to be affected by endometriosis; a chronic disease where scar tissue and inflammation build up in the pelvic region (1). There is limited understanding on the cause of endometriosis making it easy to be misdiagnosed or experience delays in diagnosis. But what exactly is a flare-up, and how can you manage the associated symptoms? If you want to know what could be causing your flare-ups and how you can possibly minimise the symptoms, then read on as this blog will cover effective ways to manage your endometriosis flare-ups.
Turmeric for PCOS: Fact or Fiction?
If you’ve looked into the use of herbal medicine for PCOS, you have probably come across people advocating for the benefits of turmeric for PCOS. You may have even seen recipes for turmeric tea or milk for PCOS and wondered if these drinks really work.
In this post, we are going to unpick the scientific evidence behind these claims and break down the benefits of turmeric for PCOS, how much you should consume and provide some practical advice on how you can include this spice in your diet.
Recipe: Homemade Oreo Cookies
Ok people, here’s one for the weekend! Home made Oreos! A friend recently lent me their Ottolenghi ’Sweet’ book and there are sooooo many delicious options to choose from but this was first on the list according to the small people in the house! They wanted the creamy filling so we made our own thick buttercream instead of the Ottolenghi version of chocolate ganache (yum!) and here’s how we did it.
How to lower testosterone for PCOS - a nutritionist’s review
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a hormone condition that affects how the ovaries work (1). It can cause symptoms such as acne, oily skin, rapid weight gain, irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, excess hair growth and hair loss on the head (2). Some of these symptoms can be caused by high levels of testosterone, which is common in women with PCOS.
Low GI foods for PCOS: Can they really help insulin resistance?
Do you feel you are constantly searching for the best diet for PCOS? Spoiler alert. There isn't a single best way of eating for PCOS. However, one of the most researched diets in managing PCOS is a low glycemic index (GI) diet. That’s because beneficial effects have been observed in managing numerous PCOS symptoms, such as insulin resistance, carbohydrate cravings, and potentially even infertility (1, 2, 3, 4).
In this blog post, we’ll explore the evidence behind these links and highlight some examples of the best low GI foods for PCOS. Let’s dive in.
Recipe: Spinach and Sweet Potato Dahl
This creamy spinach and sweet potato dahl is a super simple recipe perfect for those busy weekdays. Packed with protein from the lentils and gut loving fibre from all the colourful veggies, we are sure that this dish will make a great addition to your weekly rotation.
Is Almond Milk good for PCOS?
Milk is a vital source of nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamin D, shown to be important for PCOS (1). In the last few years, there has been a shift in the type of milk we are consuming, from dairy milk, to plant based alternatives. In fact around one in three of us now drink plant milks such as almond, soya and oat (2). But with so many different options to choose from, you may be wondering if almond milk is good for PCOS or perhaps another plant based milk? In this post we aim to answer questions on this topic to help you choose which milks are best for you to manage your PCOS symptoms.
Should you be eating Brazil nuts for fertility?
If you have been trying to get pregnant but are struggling to conceive naturally, you may have issues with fertility. Although this may be overwhelming at first, you are not alone. Around 1 in 6 adults struggle with infertility during their lifetime. Fortunately, a growing body of evidence suggests that both diet and lifestyle factors have a significant influence on fertility, meaning that making some changes to your diet may optimise your chances of having a baby naturally. If you have looked into what foods could help improve your fertility, you would have probably heard of the benefits of nuts for fertility. If you want to learn about the benefits of nuts to both your overall health and fertility, as well as what the best nuts for fertility are, this blog post is for you!
Recipe: Wintery Parsnip Soup
There’s nothing more comforting in the cold dark winter than a bowl of warm delicious soup. Soup is such an easy option for a quick lunch or dinner and it's something you can make a big batch of and have leftovers or freeze some for another day.
Parsnips are one of my favourite winter vegetables and so full of flavour they make a delicious ingredient for soups! In this recipe (one of my mum’s recipes) we use apples which add a touch of sweetness.
What are the best seeds for female fertility?
If you’ve been trying to have a baby but are struggling to conceive naturally, you may have issues with female fertility. Although it may be overwhelming to deal with these findings at first, a growing body of evidence suggests that diet and lifestyle are both significant factors influencing fertility, meaning that changes to your diet may be able to improve your chances of getting pregnant naturally. This blog post will unpack the benefits of seeds for fertility and overall health as well as ways that you can increase the amount of seeds in your diet. If you want to learn more about the ways the foods you eat can impact fertility, keep on reading!
Alcohol and PCOS: Can I still drink alcohol with PCOS?
Whilst it is common knowledge that excessive alcohol intake can have lots of negative consequences on overall health, perhaps what is less clear is if alcohol and PCOS can be a safe combination or whether you should cut it out completely. In this post we will answer this question, and explore the possible effects of alcohol on PCOS symptoms, as well as share some tips and tricks on how to reduce your alcohol intake, if that is one of your goals. Let’s dive in.
Spearmint tea and PCOS: Does it actually work?
Herbal medicines have been used for decades in different cultures but have recently become more globally widespread as they are now more accessible and consumers often believe they have fewer side effects than more traditional medication given they are ‘more natural’. Spearmint tea has been placed in the spotlight for its possible anti-androgenic effects. This blog post will explore the relationship between spearmint tea and PCOS and discuss how spearmint can be added to your diet to help manage some of your PCOS symptoms.
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