Sacred Vessel | A Functional Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic | Fort Collins, CO
  • Home
  • The Team
  • Services
    • Functional Medicine
    • Maternity Functional Medicine
    • Acupuncture
    • Women's Health
    • Pregnancy and Childbirth
    • Acupuncture Pain Management & Injury
    • Birth Doula
  • Books/Downloads
    • Books
    • Downloads
  • SCHEDULE CONSULT
  • Articles
  • Contact Me

Educate. Thrive.

Your resource for health and wellness information

How Dairy Affects PCOS

4/2/2016

0 Comments

 
I was originally going to dive right into insulin resistance, but a questions was brought up by someone, and I want to go ahead and address it first. 

The question is "Why would someone really need to avoid dairy, if they did not test positive for dairy sensitivity or allergy?" 

So, obviously, if you have a food allergy test come back with a strong positive for allergy or sensitivity, you should not consume dairy. This is just going to exasperate the already inflamed body. But as for the other reason why diary is an issue, lets break it down a bit.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Reasons to Avoid Dairy with PCOS

I am going to start here since, well, I am an acupuncturist and this is my primary focus in treatment.  In TCM, dairy is phlegm producing.  This means it creates a sticky or tackiness in the body.  Symptoms of phlegm in the body are mucus or infection based. These include cysts, excessive weight gain, cystic acne, digestive gas and bloating, chronic sinusitis, chronic yeast infections, and allergies.  Do any of these sound like symptoms of PCOS, yes they do.  PCOS is a condition characterized by phlegm. They main complaint is phlegm/mucus filled cysts on the ovaries.  Dairy is reserved in TCM, for those exhibit a very weak, frail and thin constitution. Those who NEED those nutrients that typically are used to grow baby animals to heal and nourish their malnourished bodies.  If you are in a group that has an exceptionally high rate of milk intolerance naturally, this is even more important to you.

​Asians (80%)
Africans/Black Americans (70%)
Mediterranean (60%)
Mexican Americans (50%)

Western Medicine Reasons to Avoid Dairy with PCOS

​This is little more in depth and fun for me to discuss. As much as I love TCM, its view is simple. Diary is phlegm producing, you have a phlegm condition, you avoid dairy. Done! From a Western standpoint we see the chemical analysis, the hormones, the measurable reaction in the body.  That, and we as Americans have a difficult time visualizing the TCM theory. This is a nice way to bridge the gap.

In Western Medicine we know that PCOS is also related to insulin resistance.  If you are struggling to manage your PCOS you are creating a perfect environment to develop Type 2 Diabetes in the future.  It is extremely important for those with PCOS to balance their insulin levels and to keep them from spiking.

Diary is not just a nutrient rich food that is used to grow babies into adults. It contains naturally occurring hormones and stimulates that send signals in the baby animals body to GROW.  These include IGF-1.  INSULIN GROWTH FACTOR 1. Now this little hormone is really good at its job...to grow a baby into adult. In an adult, it causes you to bulk up in both muscle and fat.  It does this by increasing Androgen production, again something PCOS women have too much of already. IGF-1 is similar in structure to insulin, and it mimics insulin like activity.  This can create irregular blood sugar levels and lead to a hypoglycemia response.  When your body has difficulty regulating blood sugar levels it eventually burns out, which is the reason that PCOS women are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes. 

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HORMONE FREE MILK

Lactating cows are pregnant and postpartum. Naturally they produce hormones and naturally those hormones are present in milk, even grass fed/organic/raw milk. 

Dr. Mark Hyman listed over 60 hormones found in a single glass of milk, which included:
  • Pregnenolone
  • Progesterone
  • Androstenedione
  • Testosterone
  • IGF-1 and IGF-2
  • Insulin

Not only does milk add additional hormones to the mix, but like I mentions above, it also contains compounds that signal the production of additional hormones.

Breakfast #2 Asparagus and Prosciutto Mini Frittatta


Picture
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2-1/3 pound of cooked Asparagus
  • 4 Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 tsp Olive Oil
  • 1 slice Prosciutto, diced
  • S/P to taste
  • Pinch Nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp fresh chopped Parsley


Makes 1 serving

GI: 29
GL: 2

Preheat oven to 350
In a small dish scramble eggs with seasoning (S/P/Nutmeg). In a single sizes cast iron pan heat oil over medium heat. Add tomato, prosciutto, and asparagus. Cook 1 min, or until tomatoes start to juice, pour in eggs. Cook on stove until edges begin to cook and crisp, move to oven and cook until eggs are done.

Lunch #2 Steak Fajitas


Because I did not make this myself, I am only guessing based on what I see as to what was in it and what I actually ate. The GI/GL values below are estimated.

GI: 31
​GL 11

Dinner # 2 Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps with Cucumber Kim Chi Salad and Brown Rice


Picture
Picture
Bulgogi
  • 1 pound Venison Roast
  • 4oz Unsweetened Apple Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Coconut Aminos
  • 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seed Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
  • 3 Green Onions, Chopped
  • 3 Cloves Garlic, Chopped
  • 2 tsp Minced Ginger

Makes 4 quarter pound servings or 8 wrap servings.

GI: 36
​GL: 4

Thinly slice roast. Mix all ingredients into a bowl and let marinate for at least 1 hour. 

In a well seasoned cast iron skillet, heat over high heat. Once hot, add meat mixture and allow to brown on one side. Once brown, flip meat and put into oven on HI BROIL. Cook until through and crisp on edges.

* Many traditional Korean recipes for bulgogi or Galbi call for asian pear puree…as I mentioned at the beginning Pears are my only real food allergen. So, I substitute apple sauce, but you could very easily use pear here instead.

Picture
Quick Cucumber Kim Chi Salad
  • 3 cup Spiraled Cucumber
  • 1 cup Spiraled Carrot
  • 1 Green Onion, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Minced Ginger
  • 1 tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Seed Oil
  • 1 tsp Go Chu Garu

Makes 8 wrap servings

GI: 28
GL: 1

In a bowl mix together fish sauce, sesame seed oil, green onion, garlic, ginger and korean red pepper flakes. Add in cucumber and carrot and mix together. Let sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Picture
Easy Brown Rice
  • Cook 1-2 cups brown rice as directed. (servings size 1/2 cup cooked or 1/4 cup dry per person)

* I personally like heirloom varieties of brown rice. They often have really nice, nutty flavors and can spice up basic rice. This was Burgundy Red Rice.

GI: 54
​GL: 15

PCOS Nutrition Part 1: Basic Dietary Principles

​To Continue...
PCOS Nutrition Part 3: Sugar
PCOS Nutrition Part 4: Glycemic Index vs. Glycemic Load
PCOS Nutrition Part 5: Building Your Meal
PCOS Nutrition Part 6: Understanding Hormones
PCOS Nutrition Part 7: Fat Soluble Vitamins
PCOS Nutrition Part 8: Increasing Dietary Fats
PCOS Nutrition Part 9: Top 10 Foods for PCOS
PCOS Nutrition Part 10: Tips for Implementing the PCOS Diet
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Acetylcholine
    Acrylamides
    Acupuncture
    Addiction
    Adrenal
    Allergies And Asthma
    Amniotic Fluid
    Androstenedione
    Anthocyanines
    Anti Inflammatory
    Antioxidants
    Anxiety & Depression
    Autoimmune
    Avocado Oil
    Bananas
    BCAA
    Berries
    Beta Carotene
    Birth Control
    Bone Broth
    Boron
    Breakfast
    Bromelain
    B Vitamins
    Calcium
    Cancer
    Candida
    Carbohydrates
    Cardiovascular
    Celiac
    Chemotherapy
    Cholesterol
    Choline
    Chromium
    Chronic Pain
    Cinnamon
    CLA
    Coconut Oil
    CoEnzyme Q10
    Conception Nutrition
    Copper
    Cortisol
    Curcumin
    Dairy
    Dates
    DHEA
    Dopamine
    Drug-Nutrients
    EFA's
    Eggs
    Electrolytes
    Endometriosis
    Environmental Exposure
    Estrogen
    Evening Primrose
    Fatigue
    Fats
    Fermented Soy
    Fertility
    Fiber
    Fish
    Food Allergies
    Fructose
    FSH
    GABA
    Genetics
    Gestational Diabetes
    GI Inflammation
    Ginger
    Glucose
    Glycemic Index
    Glycemic Load
    GnRH
    Grains
    Grassfed Butter
    Group B Strep
    Gynecology
    Healthy Diet
    Herbs
    Honey
    Hormones
    Hyaluronic Acid
    Hydration
    Hypertension
    Immune Health
    Inflammation
    Insulin Resistance
    Iodine
    Iron
    Joint Health
    Labor And Delivery
    Leafy Greens
    Legumes
    LH
    Linoleic Acid
    Liver
    Lunchbox
    Macronutrients
    Magnesium
    Manganese
    Maternity Nutrition
    Melatonin
    Melons
    Mental Health
    Microbiome
    Micronutrients
    Migraine
    Minerals
    Miscarriage
    Molybdenum
    Monounsaturated Fats
    Morning Sickness
    Natural Opioids
    Neurotransmitters
    Nutrition
    Nuts And Seeds
    Obesity
    Omega 3
    Omega 6
    Organ Meat
    Oxalic Acid
    Oxidative Stress
    Oxytocin
    PCOS
    Pediatrics
    Pesticides
    Phosphorus
    Polyunsaturated Fats
    Postpartum Hemorrhaging
    Potassium
    Potatoes
    Preconception
    Preeclampsia
    Pregnancy
    Pregnenolone
    Prenatal Nutrition
    Preservatives
    Preterm Labor
    Probiotics
    Progesterone
    Prostaglandins
    Protein
    Quercitin
    Saturated Fats
    Selenium
    SIBO
    Sleep & Insomnia
    Sodium
    Stress
    Sugar
    Supplements
    Testosterone
    Thyroid
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Vitamin A
    Vitamin C
    Vitamin D
    Vitamin E
    Vitamin K
    Vitamins
    Women's Health
    Xenoestrogens
    Zinc

    Archives

    September 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    August 2021
    May 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014
    February 2014
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013

    RSS Feed

2001 S. Shields St, Bldg H-101
​Fort Collins, CO 80526
​info@sacredvesselacupuncture.com
(970) 631-8119

Join the list!

* indicates required

​Copyright © 2021 Sacred Vessel Acupuncture & Functional Medicine, All rights reserved
Photos used under Creative Commons from kthread, Smabs Sputzer, cottonseedoil, fourpointgo, hill.josh, Lizard10979, marniejoyce, mrgreen09, nosha, Pai Shih, juniatha, I woz ere, seelensturm, Kaua'i Dreams, Rumalowa, quinn.anya, ruurmo, net_efekt
  • Home
  • The Team
  • Services
    • Functional Medicine
    • Maternity Functional Medicine
    • Acupuncture
    • Women's Health
    • Pregnancy and Childbirth
    • Acupuncture Pain Management & Injury
    • Birth Doula
  • Books/Downloads
    • Books
    • Downloads
  • SCHEDULE CONSULT
  • Articles
  • Contact Me