All you need to know about Weight Gain in PCOS
Most women will have to deal with weight gain at some point in their lives. However, for women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), losing weight can be a constant battle. Do you know what are the causes of weight gain in PCOS ? Does this weight gain lead to any complication? Do you have an apple shaped body? Is it reversible? What is emotional eating? How Ayurveda can help to maintain a healthy weight? Let’s find out
What are the causes of weight gain in pcos?
Insulin resistance is the predominant cause of weight gain in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Insulin resistance occurs when some cells in the body do not respond to insulin produced by the pancreas. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal. This leads to increased androgen production and weight gain, creating a vicious cycle in which insulin resistance increases, as do symptoms and weight gain.
Does this weight gain lead to any complication?
Weight gain, regardless of the cause, can be detrimental to your well-being. Women with PCOS are more likely to develop complications such as:
∙ Type -2 Diabetes
∙ High Cholesterol
∙ High Blood Pressure
∙ Sleep apnea
∙ Cardio vascular disorders (CVD)
∙ Thyroid irregularities
∙ Infertility
∙ Endometrial Cancer
Don’t worry, take a deep breath. We can find some ways not to get in to these complications.
Does losing weight help in not developing the complications?
Being healthy is not about losing weight. It’s all about maintaining a healthy weight in healthy ageing. This can decrease the likelihood of developing health problems in general. Especially in women (those who are over-weight) with hormonal imbalances as PCOS, a little dip your body weight can bring your ]periods back to normal. It can also help relieve some of the symptoms of PCOS such as diabetes, high cholesterol, CVD, Infertility etc
How can you know your ideal body weight?
Different people have different Ideal Body weights. One cannot compare their ideal body weight with someone else’s as several factors are taken into consideration when calculating that number. No two people in same age have same muscle-fat ratio, height, gender, or bone density at the same time, it is impossible to have a single measure of what ideal body weight at a certain age should be. Also, it’s never too late to aim to be at your ideal body weight even if you have been ignoring it till now. Keep in touch with a trusted health care team who can understand your concerns and support you to bring out best in you.
Do you have an apple shaped body?
Now, what’s an apple shaped body? Those who have shoulders and bust larger than the hips, and the waist is not well defined are said to have an apple shaped body. Apples frequently have shorter necks, hips, and legs than others. This body type nearly always wears clothing that is at least one size larger on top than it is below. In women with PCOS, androgen causes weight gain around the abdomen, especially the lower abdomen resulting in an apple-shaped body rather than a pear-shaped body.
Is weight gain in pcos reversible?
Following Ayurveda, a holistic healing system developed in India more than 5,000 years ago. One of the world’s oldest holistic practices, it’s based on the concept that health and wellness are achieved through a balance between your mind, body, and spirit. Considering the weight gain in PCOS, it’s when a woman's body secretes excess male hormones, called androgens. Excess androgens cause ovaries to produce immature egg follicles every month, leading to the development of small ovarian cysts. This condition could further aggravate due to stress, and also affects secretion and regulation of other hormones like insulin, and progesterone within the body. At times, the latter could be solely responsible for the condition of PCOS. This leads to excessive fat deposition in the body (especially upper half of the body) .
Ayurvedic treatment for PCOS is primarily about adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes having a good routine that is suited for your body type. A healthy lifestyle must also include a healthy diet, an exercise regimen, and of course a good sleep/rest cycle that restores the body's ability to regulate hormones, absorb nutrients, and activate the body's self-healing power.
Emotional eating
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could lead to frequent mood swings, depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional eating. These signs are frequently connected to Vata imbalance, which causes a "windy mind”. Symptoms such as emotional eating increase the ‘slow-moving' nature of Kapha's digestive processes. Ayurveda advises practicing mindfulness and meditation for PCOS to end this cycle. Following Dinacharya (daily regimen to be followed by an individual according to Ayurveda) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) will help in rejuvenating the whole body and eliminate the negativity which you may be experiencing.
You can experience the power of Ayurveda by joining us ( https://www.curate.health/ ). We team Curate are here to support
through each step of your PCOS journey by providing personalised plans that would be suited for your body constitution. Move forward. Stay happy
