PCOS, Atkins and Ketosis - a small testimonial

Me | April 15, 2004 | gobucks

[gobucks]

It was once said, 'there's no need for a conspiracy if everyone is on the same page'. It's true, especially about diet. Recently, lots of folks are pretty up in arms over Atkins. I'm now one of them, in the sense, I've joined their side. Lots of insulin in the blood is not a good thing in my opinion.

Why? My wife. She is, well was, very obsese. She was also diagnosed w/ PCOS 4 years ago. PCOS is where a woman fails to cycle, fails to get pregnant, and is typically very, very fat around the middle, not the hips.

But, during the last three months, we got radical. First, essentially zero carbs. Second, calorie restriction. She has been testing her ketosis level every morning using strips to maintain the range known as 'mild' ketosis. (She's been following something known as the endocrine control diet).

In short, she has lost about 30 pounds in 3 months. She has also had two back to back natural cycles. Typically she would have a natural cycle only once a year. She's never had two, one month, then next, in her life. We just might be able to bring a child into the world too.

Why post this info? B/C most of the PCOS and atkins websites have not a single good thing to say about 'mild ketosis'. I welcome anyone's comments and feedback about this.

[gobucks]

ping

[Brytani]

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 9 years ago and have gone through literal hell with it. It wasn't until I was able to lose and keep off a vast amount of weight did the symptoms go away.

PM me if you'd like vast amounts of information I've accumulated over the years.

[gobucks]

Many, many thanks. I'm sending you fm now.

[Aggie Mama]

One of the most under-reported benefits of the low-carb regimens is the hormonal balance that is restored in men and women. Too many carbs helps to spike estrogen production, which in turn causes estrogen dominance, which can cause countless problems in women. I'm glad your wife has found some relief!

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

I prefer South Beach to Atkins but generally still eat what would be considered very low carb by most "nutritionists." Most days I get 30-40 net carbs and I am consistently losing weight, so I'm happy!

I frequent a home and family website where a number of overweight and obese women with PCOS have managed to concieve successfully after a while on a low-carb regimen (losing weight in the process). They all started Atkins, South Beach, etc. to lose weight, and ended up also resolving their PCOS symptoms at least to some degree.

Good luck to you and your wife.

[gobucks]

Thanks ... and what home and family website are you referring to?

[gobucks]

Thank you very much. Its been quite a journey. We've learned a great deal ... including the fact that being a doctor in our society today is a very, very impratical thing for someone in this condition. Too often, the legal system gets in the way of common sense.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

Freepmail has been sent. :)

[Ff--150]

While not exactly addressing what you're asking, I got lazy and ate some nachos, tortillas and bread beginning last Friday.

I almost have a "six-pack" a four-pack =-), but since Friday the tire's back. And I was working out still!!!

Hope this helps you somehow?

[NYC GOP Chick]

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 9 years ago and have gone through literal hell with it. It wasn't until I was able to lose and keep off a vast amount of weight did the symptoms go away.

Have you tried Glucophage?

[Brytani]

No, I never tried Glucophage. My insulin levels were shaky until I lost weight but after I did I've managed to keep them regular.

However, the list of drugs I have been on since my diagnosis is impressive. For a time I thought I could have started my own pharmacy!!!

[NYC GOP Chick]

However, the list of drugs I have been on since my diagnosis is impressive. For a time I thought I could have started my own pharmacy!!!

Yikes! I don't need anything other than Glucophage.

[SamAdams76]

I was a big critic of Atkins (and low-carb plans in general) until I tried it myself last April. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so without further ado, I'll post my before and after pics.

Lost 105 pounds and feel 20 years younger.

[gobucks]

What a post. You're right ... a pic is worth it. Congrats!!

[DoorGunner]

Yikes! I don't need anything other than Glucophage.

You are fortunate. You need to know that, in some people, Glucophage can cause harm, instead of good.

In relatively "normal" type 2 diabetics, metformin (Glucophage) can assist cells in utilizing glucose. In SOME others, particularly those with what is called "Irritable Bowel Syndrome," (or, a "short bowel," due to surgical resection) (or, excessive use of certain oral antibiotics¹) can cause an unrecognized increase in D-lactate (left-handed lactic acid). D-lactate, in its turn, can cause harm in many parts of the body, notably, the brain and nervous system.² (It is instructive to note that D-lactate production is the cause of "founder" in horses and cattle.)

DG

1, tetracycline and metronidazole, in particular

2. Transient neurologic symptoms are the hallmark of d-lactic acidosis: Headache, weakness, delirium, visual disturbances, dysarthria, ataxia, cranial nerve palsies, changes in affect, and even transient hypothalamic dysfunction have been reported, but the mechanism explaining these manifestations remains unknown.

http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/122/11/839

 

 

[gobucks]

Update for viewers of this thread:

Ketosis is clearly a topic of heated debate, like Atkins.

Here's a link to a few folks who aren't debating.

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=165462

Bottom line, why are success stories hated? For the same reason Laocoon was hated and his sons killed. There is something about success that is wrong for some. For you who read this, visualize success. Ignore failure.

Jack N, of Ohio, the Golden Bear, the icon... he recently said in Golf Digest, April 2004 - I paraphrased:

My swing thought at the last instant before the swing is NOT a thought. It's an internal mind image of me swinging the swing that moves the ball to the hole. It's a visualization.

The exact same truth applies to weight loss, curing PCOS, curing yelling at your kids who won't listen ... on and on and on....

Thank you Vivian Suanders for a wonderful breakthough in my thinking.

[gobucks]

As you all posted to this thread (or my Freeper secrets to Permanent Weight Loss Thread) at one time or another, I wanted you all to have this update. (Many of you gave me updates at the time, and I'd like to say thanks for all the encouragement and advice. Freepers are the best.

So, the good part. Mrs. GB is now 9 weeks pregnant. To saw we are thrilled does not do justice to our feelings, and our gratitude toward God, and Mr. Atkins, and Dr. Ezrin. Exclamation points at the end of sentences are too weak to describe our elation.

At the time she learned of her pregnancy, she had had 9 cycles in row. As you might recall, until Atkins and Ketosis came along, her PCOS would allow, at best, one natural cycle a year. The visits to the fertility clinic had been stressful and miserable. The Reproductive Endrocrinologist was astounded by our report, for we had stopped using the various treatments offered by that office months and months ago.

At the time she got pregnant, she stopped the mild ketosis, but is still careful about intake, esp carbs. Total fat loss to date: 70 pounds. She is expecting to lose the remaining 30 pounds after the baby is born.

(btw; here's my link about the thread Freeper secrets to permanant weight loss;

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1186345/posts

Again, thanks to all. (We're thinking about nicknaming the baby Georgette, or George, depending ....)

[BibChr]

So cool! Thank God!

Dan

[gobucks]

pinging you on this; don't know if you have background in the topic, but chances are you do one way or another, and so figured you'd be interested.

(and thanks for your work helping W get re-elected!! I wish I could be a fly on the walls of the halls you walk, so I could just see and hear the lamentations!!)