insulin resistance articles • Page 5 of 9 • Lara Briden

4 Types of PCOS (a Flowchart)

November 16, 2024January 29, 2022 by Lara Briden

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not one disease. Instead, it’s “a heterogeneous disorder with different underlying biological mechanisms.” In other words, it’s a set of symptoms (androgen excess and anovulatory cycles) caused or driven by several underlying factors. To successfully treat PCOS, you need to identify which factor (or factors) is driving the symptoms. In other words, you need to know your functional type of PCOS.

The four functional types of PCOS include insulin-resistant PCOS, post-pill PCOS (which is temporary), inflammatory PCOS, and the far less common adrenal PCOS.

4 Causes of Androgen Excess in Women

October 6, 2024January 20, 2022 by Lara Briden

If you suffer hair loss, facial hair (hirsutism), or acne, then you know all about androgen excess or high male hormones.

You may have been given the diagnosis of PCOS, but there are actually several different reasons for androgen excess in women, including androgen hypersensitivity, adrenal androgen excess, high prolactin, menopause, and hormonal birth control with a high androgen index.

Reverse Insulin Resistance in 4 Easy Steps

September 17, 2024September 1, 2021 by Lara Briden

Insulin resistance is a hormonal condition associated with chronically high insulin. It’s also called hyperinsulinemia, metabolic syndrome, or pre-diabetes and is a major player in many women’s health conditions, including PCOS, acne, fibroids, perimenopause, and heavy periods.

Insulin resistance also causes abdominal weight gain and is a risk factor for diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia, and heart disease.

Do you have insulin resistance? It’s time to find out.

High-Dose Fructose Can Cause or Worsen Insulin Resistance (But Fruit Is Okay)

September 26, 2022April 30, 2020 by Lara Briden

High-dose fructose can cause or worsen insulin resistance, abdominal weight gain, fatty liver, heavy periods, and PCOS.

High-dose fructose comes from table sugar (sucrose), high-fructose corn syrup, and even some natural sweeteners such as agave, coconut sugar, dates, dried fruit, and fruit juice.

Whole fruit is healthy and does not cause insulin resistance because 1) whole fruit contains only low-dose fructose, and 2) fruit also provides beneficial nutrients, fibre, and polyphenols.