I have been diagnosed with PCOD and insulin resistance...my doctor has advised me to take metformin but Im not too convinced with these medications....once i stop them ill be back to square 1 so I'd rather go with something herbal and has no side effects. Plus I've heard that these medications are not apt for long-term use as it can severely damage your body and Im too scared to do that!!!!
I'm planning on taking Vitex capsules twice a day as a substitute for the birth control pill, drink lots of spearmint tea, do exercise but what should I do about the insulin resistance?
Is there any diet that would lower my insulin levels...heard about the low glycemic diet but need some further insight..can someone help pls?
Thanks!!!!
notorius_girl, I totally agree with your decision about Metformin. I've decided to go the alternative route for those same reasons. I want to be the least aggressive as possible and work my way UP to Metformin some time in the future (the far future hopefully), and only when it's necessary. If I do it right, and I'm lucky, I might be able to avoid it altogehter. You may want to consult with a naturopath to see what's best for your specific situation. There are several people here who've been placed on a regimen of a combination of supplements tailored to their needs. Others of us are on a "generic" regimen. YMMV.
As for the low glycemic diet, it works to help your body deal with insulin resistance as you're introducing a lot fewer simple carbohydrates into your system. There are several versions of this approach to eating: South Beach, Low Glycemic Index diet, etc. Essentially, you're eliminating simple carbs (e.g. white bread, white rice, potatoes) and substituting them for complex carbs (e.g. whole grains). And they're different: some eating plans allow for a few sweet potatoes, others eliminate them entirely. Again, YMMV.
I read the The New Glucose Revolution to help me start out and it did work. I have to get back to that. You could also try The GL (Glycemic Load) Diet for Dummies. Tons of books to choose from.
Good luck!
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Last edited by LaTejanaFria; 05-20-2008 at 08:11 PM.
Reason: adding to reply
notorius_girl, As for the low glycemic diet, it works to help your body deal with insulin resistance as you're introducing a lot fewer simple carbohydrates into your system. There are several versions of this approach to eating: South Beach, Low Glycemic Index diet, etc. Essentially, you're eliminating simple carbs (e.g. white bread, white rice, potatoes) and substituting them for complex carbs (e.g. whole grains). And they're different: some eating plans allow for a few sweet potatoes, others eliminate them entirely. Again, YMMV.
I read the The New Glucose Revolution to help me start out and it did work. I have to get back to that. You could also try The GL (Glycemic Load) Diet for Dummies. Tons of books to choose from.
If I may ask what was the hardest part of following these types of diets? What was the easiest?
From my own experience and based on what I've heard from others, the change over phase is the hardest. It's amazing how many simple carbs we have in our basic diet. Many people, myself included, go through a kind of sugar-withdrawl that's difficult to handle while it is happening. I've heard some people say they get headaches during this period. That didn't happen to me, but I certainly had HUGE sugar cravings when making the changeover. Some of eating plans allow for diet soda, others don't. Some eliminate all artificial sweeteners (because they also raise glucose levels), which is also very difficult to avoid.
If you don't already eat a lot of veges, this is also a challenge. I don't eat as many as I should, so making the habit of buying and preparing them is a bit of a change.
The easiest? For me it was getting in the water in everyday, as I already drink quite a lot (minimum 8 glasses because I live at high altitude and it's too easy to get dehydrated). I'd also say switching to whole grains was pretty easy, as there are quite a few options out there now.
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Insulite Program
Thyroid Support
Chromium Picolinate
Similase (digestive enzyme)
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I'm planning on taking Vitex capsules twice a day as a substitute for the birth control pill, drink lots of spearmint tea, do exercise but what should I do about the insulin resistance?
You might want to look at the Vinegar threads, and also add strength training to your exercise program.
What's helped me tremendously is losing weight.. I don't know if you need to lose weight as well, but if so, that would be a great, great start.. For the FIRST time in 6 or 7 years, I actually got a normal period twice in a row without any medication or anything.. woohoo! I've heard good things about vinegar as well, as mentioned in the thread.. I've also used cinnamon and vitex in the past, and I do believe they helped me get to where I am now (which is a lot better place than I used to be years ago).
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Alternative to Metformin? 
