Researchers of the Duke University Medical Center have shown that moderate exercise – without accompanying weight loss – can improve insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome( PCOS ), a group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects between six and 10 percent of women of child-bearing age in the U.S. -- more than four million people. Women with PCOS often have chronic weight problems.
While medical treatment is important for PCOS, women can also reduce their risk of developing diabetes and heart disease by following a sensible diet and exercise program, said Ann J. Brown, at Duke University Medical Center.
However, some women with PCOS have difficulty losing weight, said Brown, lead author of the study. "Weight is a huge problem for many of these women. We found that women can improve their insulin resistance just with moderate activity.
Even if you exercise and don't lose weight, you are still reaping very important health benefits." Brown said.
The research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ( NHLBI ) of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ).
The Duke researchers examined how exercise influenced the way the body metabolized carbohydrates such as glucose in women with PCOS who had not yet developed diabetes, but were at high risk because they had insulin resistance.
"Anything that improves insulin sensitivity and decreases insulin resistance is going to help prevent diabetes in the long run," Brown said.
For the Duke study, nineteen sedentary women with PCOS were assigned randomly to either a control group that continued their sedentary lifestyle or a monitored exercise group. The women were between ages 22 and 41 years and were insulin resistant. The study group included ethnic minorities.
The exercise program was moderate in intensity, the equivalent of walking briskly for one hour four days per week. The women could talk easily while walking, Brown said. Participants were not allowed to change their diet or lose weight during the study, thereby enabling the researchers to focus solely on the role of exercise in insulin resistance.
There was a small but significant improvement in insulin resistance in the moderate exercise group. The group's insulin resistance improved by up to 25 percent, with the amount of improvement depending on the type of test used to measure insulin sensitivity.
The most common PCOS symptoms are irregular menstrual cycles, usually with fewer than 8 periods a year, acne and excess facial and body hair. The syndrome is caused by a hormonal imbalance -- too much androgen, or male hormone.
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
Thanks nobimbo for posting this. I need all the reasons I can get to get me to exercise!
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"For the Duke study, nineteen sedentary women with PCOS were assigned randomly to either a control group that continued their sedentary lifestyle or a monitored exercise group. The women were between ages 22 and 41 years and were insulin resistant. The study group included ethnic minorities.
The exercise program was moderate in intensity, the equivalent of walking briskly for one hour four days per week. The women could talk easily while walking, Brown said. Participants were not allowed to change their diet or lose weight during the study, thereby enabling the researchers to focus solely on the role of exercise in insulin resistance. " Quote
Okay the problem I have with this is they picked a group of sedentary women who NEVER exercise and then put them on an exercise program. Gee, of course there is a difference!!! What about us normal folks that dont watch TV 24/7 and are not sedentay. How does it effect us?????? That is what I like to know. I am still fat working out 6 days a week. How does that change me when the scale is not budging and I am on a plateau for a year???? Sorry for the rant - but really not all of us are couch potatoes.
Laura
__________________ "Trust is a choice I make and a risk I take." Jennifer Rothschild
Okay the problem I have with this is they picked a group of sedentary women who NEVER exercise and then put them on an exercise program. Gee, of course there is a difference!!! What about us normal folks that dont watch TV 24/7 and are not sedentay.
It's safe to say that the average american is sedentary. VERY sedentary...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Firmingrojo
I am still fat working out 6 days a week. How does that change me when the scale is not budging and I am on a plateau for a year???? Sorry for the rant - but really not all of us are couch potatoes.
The study wasn't about weight loss...it was the effect of exercise on insulin resistance. It's important because it demonstrates that some women with insulin resistance might not need to take Rx meds.
Regarding your situation...what type of workout plan are you on?(ie How long, How Intense, Cardio & Strength?)
Also, what is your eating plan (Quantity & Quality)?
My weight didn't really start to come off until I tweaked both the diet AND the exercise components. (cardio alone doesn't do much for me...I HAVE to do strength training to see any results, and I also have to keep a close eye on the calories consumed (regardless of the 'type' of diet).
Hang in there, you'll reach your goals!
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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Kat - I do the FIrm, Cathe, WATP and WHFN - new Fitprimes and Kickbutt's. I work out an hour to an hour and a half. I use WATP first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and lately I like the Slow and Heavy with Cathe 2 times a week and the new Fitprimes 3 times a week. Exercise keeps my depression away. I have sunday as a rest day and it is really hard not to workout but I know my body needs the rest.
I am Low Carbing with carbs 40 -60- but this is the 3rd day of induction because I want to add the carbs slowly and see if I have to readjust. I have been at a plateau for a year and that is why I upped my workout time from an hour to an hour and a half. I am not on meds with the exception of BC for my cysts. Ihave seen a 7 pound weight loss from upping the cardio..........but I will not be able to keep it up when I return to work ( I sub at the Jr. High and High School)
Anyways - see my frustration????? PCOS drives me crazy!!! I am really tired of people telling me if I would get off th couch I wouldnt have weight problem and when I explain I have PCOS I am accused of being in denial.............
Laura
__________________ "Trust is a choice I make and a risk I take." Jennifer Rothschild
Do you cycle your working out? I used to work out REALLY hard for weeks on end and nothing could break the plateau. I read somewhere to take a SOLID WEEK OFF every 6 weeks, then start up again. That did it for me - the weight started coming off.
Also, take a look at the number of calories you're eating. When I was working out as much as you were, I had to consume more calories than 1200 in order to actually lose weight...
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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I now making myself exercise (walking, I love walking and just turning my headphones on and dancing around the apartment non-stop for 30 minutes to sometimes two hours!) and I feel so much better. I am doing the IR diet with WW and I do NOT feel deprived of any foods (although I am eating sensibly!). I was only eating one meal a day with maybe a snack for years, thinking this was going to help me. I GAINED 35 pounds and went into a deep depression. That has lifted and there is no going back for me now.
This site is a lifesaver!! Thank you KAT!!!!!!
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Kat - 1500 a day and sometimes when I am heavy lifting I to up to 1800 calories. I keep my calories at what my body says I need and my days of rest is the only time I eat 1200.
Laura
__________________ "Trust is a choice I make and a risk I take." Jennifer Rothschild
Kat - 1500 a day and sometimes when I am heavy lifting I to up to 1800 calories. I keep my calories at what my body says I need and my days of rest is the only time I eat 1200.
Laura
Hmmm, maybe if you take a few days completely off, it will be enough to knock you off of your plateau...
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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Exercise Improves Insulin Sensitivity for Women With PCOS 
