Eating for Insulin Resistance PCOS and Hypothyroidism
Many of you ask me about recommendations on how to eat when you are working to heal your body or improve function when given the diagnosis of Spleen Qi + Kidney Yang Qi Deficiency - a common differential diagnosis found in the treatment of Insulin Resistance, PCOS, Infertility and Hypothyroidism.
Insulin resistance is a metabolic syndrome commonly seen in PCOS, subclinical Hypothyroidism, clinical Hypothyroidism, and in type II Diabetes.
WebMD describes Insulin Resistance in this way:
Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t use glucose from your blood for energy. To make up for it, your pancreas makes more insulin. Over time, your blood sugar levels go up.
Insulin resistance syndrome includes a group of problems like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. It could affect as many as 1 in 3 Americans. You might also hear it called metabolic syndrome.
If reading that this “could effect as many as 1 in 3 Americans” gives you pause, then good. You are paying attention. There is a saying that genetics loads the gun and our environment pulls the trigger. In the case of metabolic syndromes, the element from our environment that is pulling the trigger is commonly understood to be - more than likely - the foods we eat.
EAT FOOD IN THE CORRECT ORDER
Veggies First
Proteins and Fats Second
Starches and Sugars Last
This is because fiber in the veggies coats small intestines, fat and protein slow down gastric emptying. Then glucose from the rest of the meal is absorbed to a lesser and smaller extent. Scientists have measured smaller glucose spikes by up to 73%. This results in feeling fuller for longer, curbed cravings, better hormonal balance, improved fertility, better skin, reduced inflammation and reduced risk of disease.
Recommended Supplements:
RED MACA
For Dessert: My favorite way to incorporate this is to make a warm Maca-Cacao Cinnamon Oat Milk drink at night. And if you end up using too much Maca the consistency becomes like a chocolate pudding so… you win either way.
SPIRULINA, ALFALFA, and ALGAE
For Breakfast: My favorite way to incorporate these super foods into my diet is to make a 32OZ shake with one scoop of Dr. Axe’s SUPER GREENS, one banana (not frozen), 1/2 cup blueberries (not frozen) and Oat Milk.
BEST FOODS TO EAT FOR YOUR EAST ASIAN MEDICINE DIAGNOSIS OF SPLEEN QI DEFICIENCY WITH KIDNEY YANG QI DEFICIENCY
The primary food properties for this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis are tonic, mildly warming and drying - but always considering the interdependence of Yin and Yang and protecting Yin from the drying properties used to strengthen the Spleen Meridian functions. Notice that I am speaking about the Spleen Meridian and NOT the organ. This is because in TCM, “Spleen” is not the best translation. athe energetics of the Spleen pertains to all transformation and transportation of food energy, so it encompasses some of the balanced function of pancreas, gall bladder, liver, stomach AND the spleen organ. If you no longer have your physical spleen organ, that is okay! This is still the approach for you because the energetics still exist.
Avoid cold foods, sugar, and alcohol.
VEGGIES
Carrots, Beets, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Squash, Parsnip, Green Beans, Peas, Shiitake Mushroom, Shan Yao, Daikon Radish, Leek, Onion, Scallions, Spirulina, Alfalfa
SPICES
Ginger, Dill, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Molasses, Ginseng, Clove, Black Pepper, Garlic, Chives, Onion, Scallions
MEATS
Small Portions of Lamb, Chicken and Beef - not more than the palm of your hand and not more than 3 times per week
FRUITS
Black Berries, Cherries, Dates, Figs, Goji Berries
UNPROCESSED GRAINS & NUTS
Flax, Quinoa, Bran, Brown Rice, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Black Sesame Seeds, Job’s Tears (Croix Seeds), Garbanzo Beans, Red Beans, Pine Nuts, Pistachio Nuts
AVOID
Dairy, Sugar, Alcohol, Fruits, Fruit Juices, Pork, Fish (especially fish that live in COLD WATER like oceans) Bananas, Citrus and Cold Foods - salads