PCOS: Insulin Resistance Symptoms + Treatments (WHY YOU CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT!)

Summary

In this video, the speaker explains insulin resistance, its symptoms, and how it affects women with PCOS, particularly regarding weight loss struggles. The video covers common signs like weight gain around the midsection, cravings, dark skin patches, and irregular menstrual cycles. The speaker offers seven practical tips to manage insulin resistance, including dietary changes, reducing meal frequency, going gluten and dairy-free, and incorporating low-impact workouts. She emphasizes the importance of sleep, stress management, and highlights walking after meals as a simple way to improve insulin sensitivity. The video encourages viewers to engage and explore more resources for PCOS management.

Takeaways

• 📉 80% of women with PCOS struggle with insulin resistance, which makes it difficult to lose weight and can lead to other health issues like type 2 diabetes.
• 🔑 Insulin acts as a 'key' to help cells absorb sugar for energy. When there's too much sugar intake, cells become 'resistant' to insulin, leading to weight gain and high blood sugar.
• ⚠️ Insulin resistance can be triggered by high-carb diets, chronic inflammation, or genetic factors, especially if there's a family history of diabetes.
• ⚡ Common symptoms of insulin resistance include weight gain around the midsection, swollen ankles/feet/hands, dark skin patches, frequent urination, sugar cravings, and irregular menstrual cycles.
• 🍽️ To improve insulin resistance, eat balanced meals that include protein, fats, and carbs, avoiding high-carb foods that spike blood sugar levels.
• 💊 The supplement 'Ovasitol' can help manage insulin resistance, reducing sugar cravings and improving PCOS symptoms.
• 🍞 Going gluten-free and dairy-free for 30 days can reduce inflammation, making cells more receptive to insulin and helping manage PCOS symptoms.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Instead of intense workouts, opt for slow-weighted exercises that improve insulin resistance without stressing the body, aiding in weight loss.
• 😴 Getting sufficient sleep (at least 7-8 hours) significantly improves insulin sensitivity, helping reverse symptoms of PCOS and insulin resistance.
• 🚶‍♀️ Taking a walk after meals helps control blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity, making it a simple yet effective way to manage insulin resistance.

Q & A

What is insulin resistance and how does it affect the body?

Insulin resistance is when the body's cells become resistant to insulin, meaning insulin cannot effectively transport sugar from the bloodstream into the cells for energy. This leads to high blood sugar levels and can cause weight gain, especially around the midsection.

Why do women with PCOS often struggle with insulin resistance?

80% of women with PCOS struggle with insulin resistance because PCOS is associated with metabolic issues, chronic inflammation, and sometimes a genetic predisposition. Insulin resistance makes it difficult to lose weight and contributes to other PCOS symptoms.

How does insulin resistance contribute to weight gain?

Insulin resistance prevents the body from properly using sugar for energy. As a result, high blood sugar is stored as fat, and high insulin levels block fat burning, leading to uncontrollable weight gain.

What are some common symptoms of insulin resistance?

Symptoms include weight gain around the midsection, swollen ankles, hunger after meals, sugar cravings, dark skin patches, frequent urination, irregular menstrual cycles, and elevated blood sugar levels.

How does insulin resistance affect other PCOS symptoms like acne and hair loss?

High insulin levels trigger the ovaries to produce excess testosterone, which leads to PCOS symptoms such as acne, hair loss, facial hair growth, and anxiety.

What are some effective dietary strategies to manage insulin resistance?

Eating less high-carb foods, focusing on balanced meals with a mix of carbs, protein, and fat, and cutting out foods that cause inflammation (like gluten and dairy) are effective dietary strategies.

How does exercise impact insulin resistance?

Intense cardio exercises like long runs may not help with insulin resistance. Instead, slow, weighted workouts can improve insulin sensitivity and metabolism, helping with weight loss.

Why is sleep important in managing insulin resistance?

Lack of sleep reduces insulin sensitivity. One study showed that sleeping only 5 hours a night for a week decreased insulin sensitivity by 24%, making it harder to reverse insulin resistance.

How can stress affect insulin resistance?

Stress can raise blood sugar levels, contributing to insulin resistance. Managing stress through activities like meditation, journaling, and yoga can help improve insulin sensitivity.

What is a simple daily activity that can help improve insulin resistance?

A simple daily activity to improve insulin resistance is going for a walk after meals. Studies show that walking significantly reduces insulin levels and improves insulin sensitivity.