Welcome to the Blog ….
Ashwagandha and PCOS: Is this the miracle cure for your symptoms?
PCOS can be difficult and exhausting to manage, especially considering how many different symptoms there are and how they vary between individuals. With a multitude of treatment and management options available, navigating this condition can become even more confusing. In addition to vitamin and mineral supplements for PCOS, herbal and holistic medicines are one popular method that may help improve the lives of PCOS individuals, but what does the research actually say? This blog post will focus on ashwagandha and PCOS - specifically whether there are any benefits of ashwagandha in managing your PCOS symptoms and how you can incorporate it into your diet, should you wish to do so.
Insulin Resistance & PCOS: Can diet & lifestyle have an impact?
Managing insulin resistance is an important part of PCOS management and diet and lifestyle can have a huge impact on insulin resistance. Read this post to understand more about the link between these 2 conditions as well as uncover some top tips that you can put into action today to help improve insulin resistance.
Recipe: Gooey Chocolatey Banana Bread
This gooey chocolate banana bread recipe turned out so gooey and moist and lasts for a good week and remains soft and delicious. Adding sour cream adds so much moisture to the batter and of course the chocolate chips add that irresistible indulgence!
Is There Any Benefit to Taking Apple Cider Vinegar For PCOS?
You may have heard about apple cider vinegar's potential health benefits, ranging from improving digestion, lowering blood sugar and even supporting weight loss. But what’s the truth behind the hype, especially for those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? In this blog post, we dive into the potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar for PCOS symptoms and explore practical ways to incorporate it into your diet. So, let's see if this kitchen staple could be a game-changer in managing PCOS symptoms.
Male Fertility - It takes two to tango!
Thousands of couples have trouble conceiving every year, but while there is plenty of support and practical advice available for women, male fertility issues can often be overlooked. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango, and infertility can affect both men and women equally. Although not all cases of infertility are treatable, if you are looking for simple ways to increase your chances of having a baby or you are a woman trying to support your male partner in improving his fertility, whilst optimising your own diet and lifestyle, then this blog post is for you. We will look at the diet and lifestyle factors which can impact male fertility and provide easy ways to achieve them.
PCOS Friendly Recipes for Dinner: 40 Recipes for Healthy Eating
Feeling tired after a busy day and now you’re faced with the challenge of finding a recipe that fits your PCOS needs? We get it, it can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a variety of nutritious and easy to cook meals that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.
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.
Follow Claire @CP_NutritionRD
