Showing all posts tagged PCOS

In Food, Health and Exercise, Healthy Eating, Weight Loss, Women's Interest

HEALTH FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on 4 Comments

My body seems to hate me. My pancreas is a bit of an arsehole (I’m diabetic), my cholesterol hasn’t got the memo about where I need it to be, it would appear that my gut has more issues than a Jeremy Kyle guest (suspected IBS), I need to lose weight (I have PCOS and a metabolism that has been sleeping since 1995) and other fun stuff. I’ll not be beaten though.

Clearly my body is somewhat lackadaisical in the behaviour department. I’ve been on a diet pretty much constantly since I was 18yr old (mostly swinging between SW and WW) with some success. In recent years a mixture of boredom and these plans just not suiting my somewhat unique situation has meant that progress has ground to a halt. I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic last year after years on Metformin as a pre-diabetic and thankfully have a brilliantly supportive health team.  

Seeing what I eat and how hard I’ve been trying to lose weight and deal with my various health issues, my fab health team are confident that I’m doing all that I can. As what I’m doing hasn’t been particularly successful in terms of managing my diabetes and losing weight I’m cranking things up a bit. I’ve adopted a lower carb / Meditteranean-type diet, and have even started looking at including aloe vera juice (there is evidence that it helps with blood glucose, cholesterol and gut health so I’m giving it a go) and yesterday ate Freekah for the first time (which I’m pronouncing freaky because it sounds good).

Will it help, will it not? There’s only one way to find out. Thankfully it doesn’t taste vile so that’s a bonus!

Cutting out all processed food and snack foods (I’ve not eaten either for years), avoiding bread and being strictly dairy-free (gut issues), not drinking alcohol, not having a sweet tooth and eating basic home-cooked, nutritious meals constantly (in sensible portions) would, you would think do the trick. It hasn’t and isn’t and I can’t afford to be complacent. 

So…

I take your healthy balanced diet and increased activity levels and raise you a concerted effort to boost health from the inside out, taking any (sensible) options that are available to me. If that means trying new things (no faddy, juice plus, artificial nonsense thank you), I’m game.

Here’s hoping that my next diabetic review (end of June) shows some good results! I’m six pounds lighter in a month since my last review so here’s hoping these changes make a difference.

Any recipes, nutritious foods or sensible suggestions are most welcome. 

In General

Adults Using Natural Supplements to Enhance Health

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

Many of you will know that I have challenged myself somewhat to go back to basics when it comes to shopping and cooking. For the main part this for budget reasons as I find it so much cheaper to shop this way and less time consuming. Of course, on top of the financial benefits the health implications are also undeniable.

Recently I’ve been asked to review nutritional supplements for children. I firmly believe that unless there is a very good reason why not that children should get all of the nutrients that they need from their meals and drinks. We eat as healthily as we can, make food fun, try new things and I actively encourage the boys to enjoy helping out in the kitchen. I really do feel that fostering a love of good wholesome food early on is important for on-going health.

Now, *climbs off soapbox*, while I am not keen on supplementing the kid’s diet with pharmaceuticals I do use them myself. Not everything can be sourced from food, certainly not everything an adult needs. I suffer with pcos and have for some time used star flower, a natural supplement to help with symptoms. I have also been known to use other supplements. One that I am strongly considering using is Pycnogenol which amongst other key benefits helps with menstrual related discomfort. This is a supplement which is produced from natural ingredients and is also known, according to scientific research to help with joint health, controlling glucose levels (another pcos related benefit for me as glucose intolerance is a risk for many women with it) and more.

Another supplement I am considering is Omega 7. One of the important benefits of boosting Omega 3 intake is that it aids the suppression of inflammatory substances. I have an ongoing neck pain issue which I believe might help with this issue.

I have many friends who use supplements such as these alongside conventional medications for problems or issues that they might have and have had some decent results myself. I am curious though, what do my readers feel about using supplements (for adults). I’m talking about using naturally sourced ingredients to boost health on a regular basis. I’d be interested to hear what if anything you all use (if that isn’t too personal !).

plantlifePhoto credit

*Written in collaboration with the mentioned business yet true to my own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

 

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