Thanks Phil - I appreciate the info. Carbs definitely are not an issue for
me. I started paleo roughly 2003 - before that I was eating more like
Atkins. My carbs are very low (some low glycemic veggies, fruit only
occasionally like once a week, rarely some nuts) but my protein intake is
still pretty high and I think that might be the culprit. My FBG has been
around 99 and after eating anywhere between 104 and 110. Yesterday I only
had about 11 oz of ostrich throughout the day but more fat. This morning my
FBG was 88. I don't like meals with that small a portion of protein - while
I like fat, it's the protein I enjoy the most.

-----Original Message-----
From: Paleolithic Eating Support List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Paleo Phil
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 9:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: PCOS

Kristina K. Carlton:
> Subject: PCOS
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Anybody here struggle with PCOS and had positive results with paleo?...
> Thanks in advance!!!!
> 
> Kristina

PCOS is a classic modern foods syndrome. Here are some excerpts to get you
started learning about the PCOS -- modern foods -- high glycemic carbs --
connection. I recommend you read the Cordain's complete reports, which are
available free at his Website.

From: Published Research
The Paleo Diet
http://www.thepaleodiet.com/published_research/

"In the past 2 years emerging evidence suggests that the web of diseases and
abnormalities associated with insulin resistance may extend far beyond the
common maladies (obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and
CAD) that frequently present themselves concurrently in patients. Such
diverse abnormalities and illnesses as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),
acne, myopia, epithelial cell cancers (breast, prostate and colon), reduced
age of menarche and the secular trend for increased stature are all linked
to the compensatory hyperinsulinemia of insulin resistance by hormonal
interaction."

Cordain L. Syndrome X: Just the tip of the hyperinsulinemia iceberg.
Medikament 2001; 6:46-51.


"Compensatory hyperinsulinemia stemming from peripheral insulin resistance
is a well recognized metabolic disturbance that is at the root cause of
diseases and maladies of Syndrome X (hypertension, type 2 diabetes,
dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, obesity, abnormal glucose tolerance).
Abnormalities of fibrinolysis and hyperuricaemia also appear to be members
of the cluster of illnesses comprising Syndrome X.  Insulin is a well
established growth promoting hormone, and recent evidence indicates that
hyperinsulinemia causes a shift in a number of endocrine pathways that may
favor unregulated tissue growth leading to additional illnesses.
Specifically, hyperinsulinemia elevates serum concentrations of  free
insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and androgens while simultaneously
reducing insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and sex
hormone binding globulin (SHBG).  Since IGFBP-3 is a ligand for the nuclear
retinoid X receptor ?, insulin mediated reductions in IGFBP-3 may also
influence transcription of anti-proliferative genes normally activated by
the body's endogenous retinoids.  These endocrine shifts alter cellular
proliferation and growth in a variety of tissues whose clinical course may
promote acne, early menarche, certain epithelial cell carcinomas, increased
stature, myopia, cutaneous papillomas (skin tags), acanthosis nigricans,
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and male vertex balding.  Consequently,
these illnesses and conditions may, in part, have hyperinsulinemia at their
root cause and therefore should be classified among the diseases of Syndrome
X."

Cordain L, Eades MR, Eades MD.  Hyperinsulinemic diseases of civilization:
more than just syndrome X. Comp Biochem Physiol Part A 2003;136:95-112. 


Pcos
http://forum.lowcarber.org/archive/index.php/t-181660.html

ShazzerSat, May-01-04, 19:50

"Hi, another PCOSer here. I don't have all of the symptoms, but a good chunk
like you. I defeated reactive hypoglycemia (future diabetes) with
Neanderthin. I had messed up periods which were very, very heavy, and awful
cramping. Those are normal now. Never was I overweight. I started to bald at
age 22. My endocrinologist put me on Glucophage and Aldactone. I'm off
GLucophage; I don't need it with Neanderthin. Even my chin stubble is less
and head hair more when I stick to my diet.

Basically, your doctor could run a glucose tolerance test or insulin test.
If you have the cystic ovaries, an ultrasound can be done. Family history
and symptoms will tell a lot to your doctor. Make sure you go to someone who
has a clue. Probably an endocrinologist would be best. OF the pool of
doctors, reproductive endos have the largest clue about PCOS. Ask to have
your testosterone, estrogen, and androgen levels checked. That is the best
indicator of problems. Lastly as far as doctors, don't get stuck on the
birth control wagon. The pills will only mask your problems. They don't help
*regulate* your periods. They make you have artificial periods.

The Neanderthin diet should help you out more than anything else. Women who
have PCOS are very susceptible to problems with insulin, so be careful about
the carbs. In PCOS research, a common idea of origin is that women have the
genetic predisposition for PCOS. Unregulated insulin then causes problems in
release of other hormones. Many PCOS women thus have very high testosterone
levels, very high insulin levels, estrogen and progesterone at irregular
levels. The problems of high insulin are pervasive to all hormones of the
body. That is how so many problems occur for PCOS patients.

I hope I've helped."


PCOS and Carbohydrates
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~cp391990/carb.html