Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a multi-factorial endocrine condition that affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. This condition primarily causes a dysregulation in the ovaries leading to an excess production of androgens. Androgens produce male sex hormones, which when in excess in females can cause: irregularities in menstrual cycle, hirsutism, cystic ovaries, infertility, male-pattern baldness, acne prone skin, and metabolic dysfunction-including insulin resistance. In this article, we’re going to focus on insulin resistance and how we can improve insulin sensitivity with the use of inositol.
Let’s start with, what is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It’s role is to regulate the metabolic process of glucose by aiding in the absorption of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of muscle, fat and liver. It also aids in the breakdown of fat and protein for energy. Insulin release is based on a feedback loop, where more is produced when the demand to shuttle glucose is necessary, and less is produced when glucose is low in the blood.
What is insulin resistance and why does it occur?
Insulin resistance (IR) is when the cells of muscle, fat and the liver become desensitized to the presence of insulin. This causes less glucose to enter the cells, because the cells do not have the gatekeeper (insulin) there to let them in. In order to open the door so to say, the body sends a signal to the pancreas to release more insulin. The body tries to compensate by providing more insulin, in hopes that it will saturate the cells and glucose can get in.
There are a number of reasons one would develop IR, one of them being PCOS. It is said that 50-70% of those with PCOS develop IR. If you are someone who suffers from PCOS, you know that there is not one cause. It is multifactorial, but is postulated to be due to a genetic predisposition which is triggered by epigenetics. One key factor that leads to IR in PCOS is excess abdominal adiposity and a sedentary lifestyle.
A biohack to improve insulin sensitivity!
So if insulin resistance is bad, how do we help our cells become insulin sensitive? From a naturopathic doctor’s perspective, there are many areas where we can help the body regain this function. We first want to mention, each person is an individual and we would need to assess each person as such. Through a new patient consultation, we can get the information and
testing needed to better address your individual needs.
You can schedule a Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation HERE to see how we can help you address your PCOS.
You can schedule a Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation HERE to see how we can help you address your PCOS.
In general, there is one amazing vitamin like substance, Inositol, that research has shown has great potential in upregulating insulin sensitivity. Inositol is present in the phospholipid membrane of our cells, in which we can naturally acquire from foods like cantaloupe, citrus fruits and fiber-rich food! It’s main benefit for PCOS is that it helps regulate blood sugar. Of the nine stereoisomer inositols that exist there are two that exceedingly have a positive impact on PCOS, Myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI). “Their roles differ in that MI promotes glucose uptake, while DCI plays a role in glycogen synthesis” (inositol roles). These two stereoisomers act on the ovaries by 1) Myo-inositol regulating glucose uptake and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) signaling and 2) DCI influences the insulin-mediated androgen production. To further support the use of inositols, a 2017 meta-analysis concluded that “these findings, therefore, support the practice of treating PCOS women with MI, either alone or in combination with DCI, to improve their endocrine and metabolic profiles”.
We have found that in conjunction with an individualized treatment plan, a combo inositol containing both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol can be a great support in improving insulin sensitivity for those managing PCOS!