Q: I have PCOS, am insulin resistant and showing symptoms of the menopause. I would also like to lose the fat around my middle.  Is it OK to combine the ‘fat around the middle’ supplements with ‘MenoPlus’ and ‘Black Cohosh Plus’?  I took the ‘fat around the middle’ supplements during last year and found them extremely effective so would very much like to use them again.  Also is it safe to take them for longer than the 3 months you recommend as my weight loss seemed to stall once I had stopped them?

– Anonymous, Oxford 

A: I am glad to hear that you found the ‘fat around the middle’ supplements useful last year and it is OK to take them for longer than three months.  As mentioned in the ‘Fat around the Middle’ book, you are aiming to use the Nutri Plus and Amino Plus along with the dietary and exercise recommendations, to get your waist to hip ratio lower than 0.8.  This may take longer than three months for some women as they may have more to lose.  But you are aiming at some point to not need the supplements and to maintain a good shape by eating well and exercising once you have reached your goal.

 

As regards the menopause, it is fine to take the MenoPlus and Black Cohosh Plus alongside the ‘fat around the middle supplements’.  You only need to take the herbs like black cohosh if you are getting symptoms and once they are gone you can stop the herbs.  The multivitamin and mineral (MenoPlus) is one you can stay on even when you have stopped the ‘fat around the middle’ supplements as this multi contains good amount of other nutrients like calcium etc which are important before, during and after the menopause for bone health. 

Q: I have polycystic ovary syndrome. Can you recommend any self-help suggestions?

A: Women with PCOS can experience a number of symptoms including weight gain, few periods, acne and excess body hair. Over the last few years, the nutritional approach to PCOS has revolutionised the treatment of this problem. Studies have shown that when women with PCOS lose weight, testosterone levels fall, insulin levels go down and hair growth is less and in one study, 92% of women with PCOS who were not ovulating conceived naturally after reducing their weight.

Eat a good diet and avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates (like white flour) and caffeine, as all these will cause blood sugar fluctuations and the release of excess insulin. Insulin makes the ovaries produce more testosterone.

Also add in a good multivitamin and mineral and extra chromium (to help control blood sugar fluctuations), B vitamins for efficient metabolism and co-enzyme Q10 to help weight loss (The supplement called NutriPlus I use in the clinic has all these nutrients combined). For more information on PCOS, see my book The Nutritional Health Handbook for Women.