PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Treating insulin resistance in women with PCOS can lower androgen levels and promote normal, ovulatory menstrual cycles (4). 

The food you eat plays a vital role in treating insulin resistance and PCOS. The goal is to fill your plate with colorful and anti-inflammatory foods rich in protein, fat, and fiber to support blood sugar balance.

By using this simple formula (protein + fat + fiber) when planning meals and snacks, you can normalize blood sugar levels, lower insulin release, and reduce inflammation.

Poor sleep, high-stress levels, and a sedentary lifestyle can all worsen insulin resistance (5). 

We believe in supporting the whole body, which is why we work with our patients to balance lifestyle and establish healthy habits to create whole-body health.

Assess your lifestyle quality by looking at your sleep habits, stress levels, and exercise routines. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and reduce sleep disruptors like caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime. Additionally, try to engage in a stress-reducing activity each day. This may include yoga, meditation, reading, deep breathing, or walking. 

Exercise is another powerful tool that can effectively reduce insulin resistance. Even a short 15-minute walk at lunch makes a difference in the long run! 

We use our patients’ health history, lab results, and overall lifestyle to formulate individualized supplement recommendations.

However, there are a few supplements for PCOS that can generally reduce insulin resistance in PCOS. For example, we may recommend supplements like N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), Inositol, or magnesium.

Metformin is a prescription medication that lowers insulin and fasting blood sugar levels. It is often prescribed by conventional doctors to treat insulin resistance and PCOS. 

In women with PCOS, Metformin may improve insulin sensitivity and increase ovulation rates. However, it does have some negative side effects.

First of all, there is a clear association between Metformin use and subsequent vitamin B12 deficiency (6). Vitamin B12 has many important jobs in the body like forming red blood cells, nerve functioning, and optimizing energy levels. What’s more, Metformin commonly causes GI upset such as nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (7). These side effects may be due to Metformin’s influence on the gut microbiome. Some studies suggest this drug may cause dysbiosis—an imbalance of the gut bacteria (8, 9).

While we recognize that Metformin can be a useful medication, we prefer to treat insulin resistance in PCOS at the root cause with diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation.

Insulin resistance is one underlying cause of PCOS and may affect up to 70 percent of all women with this condition. Fortunately, we can reduce insulin resistance, lower inflammation, and normalize your menstrual cycles with a targeted functional medicine approach.