Part of assessing a new client in the first consultation, is that I ask why they think they are struggling with their weight. Many women reported that they feel their hormones are either the cause or a contributing factor to being overweight.

So, are hormones to blame or not? Let’s focus on four of the main hormones that makes a female a female: Estrogen, Progesterone, FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone). 

These FOUR hormones peak at FOUR DIFFERENT times in a menstrual cycle.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS: Pronounced – P-COS) is a classic example of the influence of lifestyle on hormones. PCOS is a medical condition with symptoms including overweight, insulin resistance, menstrual cycle abnormalities, anovulation (the absence of ovulation), skin breakouts and hair loss among others.

Research reports that as high as 40 – 80% of women with PCOS are overweight. However, it is a “what was first there – the chicken or the egg”  scenario. What I mean with that is: Overweight is a main symptom of PCOS, BUT being overweight is associated with insulin resistance, higher insulin levels is a mayor cause of PCOS!

So, what is this insulin resistance that we hear from so frequently: The hormone Insulin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar in the blood) in the body by transporting glucose from the blood into the cells. Within the cells glucose is used for energy to fuel movement, our heartbeat, breathing, brain function and basically all other functions in the body. With insulin resistance the body cells are resistant to insulin thus transporting glucose into the cells. This results in higher blood glucose levels which in turn produces more insulin.

NB!!! So to answer the question of can hormones be blamed for overweight:

High insulin levels promotes the storage of fat! And bodyfat in turn promotes Insulin resistance – a Vicious cycle. Weight loss resistance is a big challenge in insulin resistance, being that the fat that is “burned” is mostly being stored again! Insulin furthermore stimulates the ovaries to produce high levels of Testosterone (Testosterone is a male hormone: Women also have testosterone but in low levels). Increased testosterone results in female hormone imbalances and increased body fat distribution

So yes, PCOS is a medical condition that can contribute to a significant higher risk for being overweight and weight loss resistance.

As mentioned in my other blogs – the most successful medical treatment for Overweight women with PCOS is weight loss through lifestyle modification – (the treatment of insulin resistance).

This involves supplementation with specific micro-nutrients to treat insulin resistance, following a diet consisting of a moderate intake of Low GI carbohydrates (yes you should NOT avoid carbohydrates completely), and regular cardiovascular exercise.

PCOSaway does just that. The micro-nutrients included in the PCOSaway combo pack was carefully selected to do just that. The Combo pack not only consists of 5 individual products, but also includes guidelines to replace Higher GI carbohydrates with the “better choice” Lower GI carbohydrates.