Re: (Monica) Our conversation
From: Monica (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 26 Aug 2000 11:40:05 -0500 (CDT)
Hi, Amy-
I, too, don't want to be a zelot when it come to those fad diets out
there! I personally try to eat as natural as possible. Personally I eat
real cream cheese and real mayo. That Barry Sears who wrote the book
was very concerned that due to his father and two uncles early deaths
from heart disease, he was destined to die at a young age as well if he
didn't watch his heart. I think that's why he gets so hung up on the
low fat cheeses etc. and other fats. So I just *consider the source*
when I read his books. I've learned, as I'm sure you as well, that
anything with a label that says *light* on it usually means low in fat
and pumped up with carbs. I'm all for eating less processed, more
natural foods. The other thing I've been reading about is the glycemic
index of foods. My mom was comparing the carbs of different foods, but
I said, "Well, yeah, mom, but what about the glycemic index? You have to
look at that, too. Total carb content isn't the whole picture. I eat
carbs at every meal and snack, along with protein and fat. Like you, I
try to make my carb count! I don't want to fuel my body with something
that will spike my insulin level then crash soon afterward. Here's to
eating well and feeling good! I appreciate your conversation, Amy. I'm
going to check out that bar you mentioned. Sounds yummy. Wishing you
the best! :)Monica
At Fri, 25 Aug 2000, Amy wrote:
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>Hi Monica!!!! I did not mean they (Zone) were endorsing candybars but it seems that
>they have all sugars grouped into 1 category ... be it granulated sugar or fruit sugars
>and the body is made to break down fruit sugars ,,,, On the back of the book it tells
>you that it is okay to have fat free or light cheeses but not cream cheese ... which is
>natural and it says a lot of fruits are bad but fat free mayo is okay ... chemicals
>.... chemicals ... do you understand me now??? The body is made to break down natural
>foods ... I know not everyone is tollerant of some natural foods but it just sounds
>wild to me to endorse chemically processed foods over natural foods ... Not that it is
>totally endorsing chemically processed foods ... A lot of people group all fats into 1
>category ... which is wrong because the body is made to break down certain fats ...
>That is what I ment by having a variety of foodgroups but in moderation ...
>I know you are probably trying to stay away from Carbs but Carbs are healthy in
>moderation, they are part of what makes your body work .... I know an AWSOME snack bar
>(kinda high in carbs though) that I actually use as a meal replacement because it is so
>filling ... is has no granulated sugars, sweetened with fruit juice and honey, has no
>preservatives or artificial ANYthing in it ... it is wonderful ... They are called "GO
>LEAN" by Kashi ... They are in the healthfood sections of the grocery stores ... Also
>Cliffbars are good to ... no artificial anything in it ...
>If you are more interested in learning about what certain foods (artificial flavorings
>and preservatives) try pulling researching holistic eating and organic eating ...
>Please please please do not think that I am trying to force my way of life on anyone
>... it is just some of this miracle diets worry me and seem they can do more harm than
>good ...
>I care about each and everyone of you and want you WELL!
>(: Amy
>
>Monica wrote:
>
>> Hi Amy,
>> I appreciate your reply. I know there are so many conflicting opinions
>> out there these days about the low carb diets and in some cases it's a
>> pretty hot topic. I try to filter out what I hear in search of the
>> truth! :) I read the zone books and never got the impression that they
>> were endorsing chemically processed junk over natural foods. Did I miss
>> something? I'm being very sincere and not the least bit disrespectful
>> (it's hard to convey that over the internet)! I do recall they said it
>> was not only important to look at the total carbs in a food but the
>> glycemic index as well so it would seem strange that they would endorse
>> eating a candy bar (read high glycemic index) over a piece of fruit. I
>> know they make and sell ZONE protein bars but I just figured that was
>> for people who need something quick to grab and go on occasion. I would
>> never make it a large part of my diet - been there, done that, with
>> Jenny Craig, Nutri System, etc. ! Just curious. Can you elaborate. I'm
>> interested. Thanks, :)Monica
>>
>> At Thu, 24 Aug 2000, Amy wrote:
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>> >Hi Monica - I guess my problem with the "Zone" diet is they seem to think that
>> >chemically processed "junk" is better for you than natural foods ... the group
>> >sugars all together and there is a big difference between a candy bar and an
>> >orange ... I just do all foodgroups in moderation ... Seems to be that most people
>> >just need to find out what works best for them be it no carns or all carbs ...
>> >PCOS is caused by insulin problems, you hit the nail on the head there ... I
>> >commend everyone also for their search for the truth ... Hats off to you all!!!
>> >Amy
>> >
>> >Monica wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi click,
>> >> I haven't read all the replies to your post so maybe what I say is
>> >> redundant but I felt compelled to write to you while I had a moment.
>> >> Bravo to you for finding out as much as you can about PCOS. Knowledge
>> >> is power! And you seem very knowledgable! It sure does sound from your
>> >> description that you very well have pcos. Much research has indicated
>> >> that insulin resistance is at the root of PCOS. With this in mind I
>> >> would suggest you get an IGTT blood draw. Have you had this one? It is
>> >> a glucose tollerance test with insulin levels. The *with insulin
>> >> levels* part is very important in making an accurate insulin resistance
>> >> diagnosis. Insulin resistance also effects the testosterone that your
>> >> body produces. And MET/glucophage or another one of the insulin
>> >> sensitizing drugs out there like Actos or Avandia are very effective in
>> >> treating this disease.
>> >>
>> >> Don't worry about the fats in your diet (other than trying to make them
>> >> the *good* fats; like olive oil, conola oil, etc... you know, the
>> >> monounsaturated ones.) The fats are what triggers the "I'm full" feeling
>> >> in your brain. You need an adequate amount in your diet. Without even
>> >> realizing it you may be eating too many of the wrong carbs (like pasta,
>> >> white bread, carrots, rice, corn, potatoes which have a higher glycemic
>> >> index which means they turn to sugar faster once they are digested.
>> >> Unlike some whole grains, fresh fruits, certain veggies which take
>> >> longer to turn into sugar, thus not spiking you insulin levels). Sugar
>> >> Busters has a good book out as well as the Carbo Addicts Diet but I
>> >> prefer the ZONE; it keeps carbs, proteins and fats more in balance
>> >> throughout the day. We've been sold a bill of goods with this whole low
>> >> fat crusade these past 15 to 20 years. By removing the fats, the
>> >> manufacturers of foods have added more carbs which is exactly what we
>> >> PCOSers DON'T need. (I just compared frozen Lean Cuisene to regular
>> >> Stoffers dinners. Lean Cuisene has a higher carb contnent and lower
>> >> protein! We think we've been *being good* when we eat that stuff when
>> >> really we'd be better off with the *regular* foods!)
>> >>
>> >> Some women find relief on birth control but I hear more and more say
>> >> that unless they find the right one they are misserable on them.
>> >> Remember, BC pills just mask the symptoms of PCOS, they don't get at the
>> >> root of the problem. Women on MET have reported normal cycles as well
>> >> as relief from the other symptoms of PCOS. Even women who are not IR
>> >> still get relief; researchers are still trying to pinpoint why.
>> >>
>> >> It sounds like you are on the right track. Don't be afraid to speak up
>> >> for what you think is best for your own health. You are so fortunate to
>> >> be addressing this in you teens, due to the lack of understanding about
>> >> the complexities of this desease many of us have suffered with this and
>> >> watched our disease progress for many many years. We never knew what
>> >> was "wrong" with us and what made us so different from everyone else.
>> >> Thanks to the recent leaps in the medical awareness in the last 10 years
>> >> we are just now starting to get a handle on this. In the last 5 years
>> >> the awareness of how to make a diagnosis and how to treat it has
>> >> improved 100 fold.
>> >>
>> >> I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted. We're always here. Sorry
>> >> I got long winded! I hope it helped some. :)Monica
>> >>
>> >> At Sun, 20 Aug 2000, click wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >I don't have a specific question, but I'd appriciate general thoughts
>> >> >and support.
>> >> >
>> >> >I haven't had a period in over a year, and after 8 months without a
>> >> >period (i'm 16 years old and have never really been regular.. my
>> >> >periods started regular for 3 months and got farther and farther apart
>> >> >each time, just as my weight gain started when i started my period and
>> >> >got larger and larger each year (eg, 10 pounds first year 20 the next,
>> >> >etc).. Anyhow, I went to the doctor and was then refered to an OBGYN
>> >> >and endocronologist. My first blood work showed that I had a normal
>> >> >level of estrogen, a high level of testosterone, low blood sugar, high
>> >> >choloesterol and low good chloresterol. I also have very high blood
>> >> >pressure lately, and two years ago I was on the low side of normal for
>> >> >my age. I am now 5'6 and weigh 230 pounds, I build muscle insanely
>> >> >easily and have a mild case of acne, including body acne.. I don't eat
>> >> >bad- mostly eat pasta with vegetables and fruit, rarely have fatty foods
>> >> >and don't have *that* many carbs a day. I excerscise, but not as much
>> >> >as I should, but I still feel my weight gain is ridiculous...My thyroid
>> >> >level is normal. I don't have a big problem with hair growth, however
>> >> >my arm hair is awfully dark and long and my leg hair grows stubby the
>> >> >same day I shave or wax it.
>> >> >
>> >> >My original doctor (before being refered to the two specilists)
>> >> >suggested that with my symptoms I may have PCOS. My OBGYN sent me for
>> >> >an ultrasound to block out cancer, and that was clear.. The
>> >> >endochronologist called for more blood work to check for pituitary
>> >> >abnormalities and then a cat scan to rule out an adrenal gland tumor.
>> >> >Originally, all three of my doctors suggested that if I did have PCOS,
>> >> >they would probably put me on birth control and metformin. My
>> >> >endochronlogist went on vacation the day before my cat scan results came
>> >> >to him, and his assistant called me to follow up. I didn't have an
>> >> >adrenal gland, so she began talking of treatment for PCOS however I was
>> >> >not directly diagnosed with PCOS- or anything, for that matter. She
>> >> >didn't mention metformin, and just told me i needed to loose weight and
>> >> >contact my OBGYN to start birth control- this is not what my doctor told
>> >> >me before, and I feel they aren't giving me enough information.. On top
>> >> >of that, I CAN NOT control my weight- I am trying, excerscising like
>> >> >crazy and eating no more than 2 grams of fat a day.. I've tried a low
>> >> >calorie diet, and I just can't function on it- I get fatigued and dizzy
>> >> >easily. The endochronologist called in an order for me to take
>> >> >progesterone for 5 days, and I started this yesterday.. I've had severe
>> >> >dizzyness and I've been generally out of it- its hard for me to type and
>> >> >everything seems to have streamers in my perifial(sp?) vision. I have
>> >> >to call my OBGYN on monday to get the birth control, however I have done
>> >> >alot of research lately on this condition and have noted several
>> >> >medications and alternatives that I feel may be better options. I also
>> >> >don't understand in what conjunction with the projesterone I should
>> >> >start birth control, and I'm weary of birth control because I am already
>> >> >severely overweight and it takes a large tole on my self confidence as
>> >> >in the past I was a normal weight and now have social issues due to this
>> >> >change.. I also do not heal as quickly as I use to and find it harder
>> >> >to run or participate in sports, although I assume this is due to my
>> >> >weight.
>> >> >
>> >> >Some of the alternative treatments I have come accross include D-Chiro
>> >> >Inositol, acupuncture, metformin alone, birth control alone (of some
>> >> >sort), and chiropractics although I am already seeing a chiropractor on
>> >> >a semi regular basis.
>> >> >
>> >> >I'm just interested in your thoughts on treatment and how birthcontrol
>> >> >alone in conjunction with this 5 day treatment of progesterone will
>> >> >effect me.. I realize there probably isnt a doctor around, but I'd like
>> >> >some thoughts from other women with PCOS. (and I'm not even sure that's
>> >> >what they've diagnosed me with. I hate doctors, I really, really do.)
>> >>
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