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About This Episode
In episode #3 of The Alex Manos Podcast I speak with Dr. Carrie Jones on PCOS, Medical Director of Precision Analtyical, who are creators of the most cutting edge hormone test on the market, the DUTCH Test. As a result, Carrie consults with thousands of health care practitioners all over the world on the hormone status of their patients while also lecturing/teaching/writing frequently on the same topic.
Dr. Jone’s website is: www.drcarriejones.com.
In this episode we discuss the two different types of PCOS – one that is the more traditional insulin resistance based type, but, we also discuss how adrenal function can play a signifiant role in the condition also. Dr. Jones shares a couple of case studies to highlight the different strategies that may need to be considered when taking a personalised approach to PCOS.
Throughout the episode we mentioned three key drivers of hormonal imbalance – inflammation, stress, and blood sugar dysregulation, and, as a result of this we emphasise the role that lifestyle interventions play in improving symptoms including diet, exercise, stress management and sleep.
In regards to diet, there is a general trend in the research for a low carb diet for PCOS being most effective. One study, cited below, found that a lower carb diet (41:19:40% energy from CHO:protein:fat) compared to a higher carb diet, that was also matched for calorie intake, resulted in preferential loss of fat mass from metabolically harmful adipose depots.
We also dive a little deeper in to the pathophysiology, or distorted physiological processes, of PCOS for our practitioners listening. Here we discuss how testosterone and oestrogen are metabolised, via the 5a and 5b pathways, and, phase 1 and phase 2 detoxidifcaion pathways respectively.
We also touch on the importance of taking a holistic approach to improving the condition – in particular we discuss the role of gut health in PCOS and an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase and how it can influence the hormonal system.
Another example of why a holistic approach is required is that: “Thyroid disorders, especially Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), are observed significantly more often in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than in the general population – approximately 27% and 8%, respectively.”
As always, a personalised approach to PCOS is required due to the interconnectedness of the human body.
Episode Links
Papers mentioned:
- Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota Associated with Clinical Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: click here
- Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota (DOGMA)–a novel theory for the development of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: click here
- Estrogen-gut microbiome axis: Physiological and clinical implications: click here
- Role of exercise training in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis: click here
- Impaired Lipolysis, Diminished Fat Oxidation, and Metabolic Inflexibility in Obese Girls With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: click here
- Low Starch/Low Dairy Diet Results in Successful Treatment of Obesity and Co-Morbidities Linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): click here
- Effects of a eucaloric reduced-carbohydrate diet on body composition and fat distribution in women with PCOS: click here
- Chronic stress and body composition disorders: implications for health and disease: click here
- Sleep disturbances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: prevalence, pathophysiology, impact and management strategies: click here
- Roles of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovary Axis in the Abnormal Endocrine Functions in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: click here
- Thyroid disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome: click here
Supplements mentioned:
These are listed for educational purposes only, an to support practitioners following the podcast. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before making any changes to your medication or supplement programmes.
- Inostiol: click here
- Beberine: click here
- Zinc: click here
- Prostate Select: click here
- Reishi mushroom: click here
