December 5th, 2011
The chance of having a stroke can be reduced by as much as 30% by adding folic acid to a person’s Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) diet, according to research.
Folic acid has long been recommended to pregnant women or those trying to conceive because it helps to protect against birth defects. But a review of eight studies by the British medical journal The Lancet showed folic acid may have even wider health benefits.
Experts warned, however, that raising levels of folic acid must be balanced against other risks. An increase in folic acid may, for example, mask a vitamin B12 deficiency in older people. This type of anemia can cause serious health problems such as nerve damage.
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in supplements and added to fortified foods. Folate, folic acid and vitamin B12 are essential for health.
Good levels can be achieved by eating a balanced diet. Green vegetables like lentils and broccoli are rich in folic acid or folate, while B12 is found in foods such as eggs and lean meat.
The current advice is that adults consume 200 micrograms of folate per day, while women who are pregnant or thinking of having a baby should take a daily 400 microgram supplement from the time they stop using contraception until the 12th week of pregnancy. Mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is already in place in several countries, including the U.S.
Experts have known for some time that folic acid also appears to carry brain benefits by lowering the level of homocysteine, a blood protein linked both to heart disease and dementia.
Researchers looked at available data on the effects of folic acid supplementation on stroke and found the vitamin reduced the relative risk of stroke by an average of 18%. An even greater risk reduction – 30% – was seen when the treatment lasted more than 36 months, or if the individual had no past history of stroke.
No big reduction was seen if homocysteine did not go down, supporting the idea that this protein may be an important stroke risk factor.
Dr Cynthia Carlsson, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, said “Ongoing trials are needed before we can conclude that the benefit of continued use of previously deemed ‘safe’ vitamin supplements outweighs the risk of other adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes.”
January 29th, 2010
Makers of a 13-week reality TV show about PCOS are looking for six to 10 women with the condition to participate.
Slated for cable TV stations across the US, the show is being developed by PCOS Challenge and participants will have the opportunity to win cash prizes and surprise gifts while benefitting from health and medical experts.
To be considered, submit your name, age, contact number, email address, a brief paragraph about your biggest struggle with PCOS and a brief 2 – 5 minute video to introduce yourself (camcorder and webcam are acceptable.)
The deadline is January 30th. Send materials to tv@pcoschallenge.com
Whether or not you want to participate, I’m, sure you agree that this is a great opportunity to spread awareness about PCOS!
December 12th, 2009
Insulite Laboratories is celebrating the holiday season by offering free shipping and handling on all bulk orders of the Insulite PCOS System – worldwide – through Dec. 15, 2009. This includes three- and six-month bulk purchases.
This represents a cost savings of $42 to $58 on shipping for U.S. and international bulk purchases, respectively.
To take advantage of this limited offer visit:
http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/Order-Insulite-PCOS-System.php
For further ordering information, contact info@insulitelabs.com. By telephone: 1-888-986-4325 (US) and direct and from outside the US: 1-970-679-8608.
Women worldwide use the Insulite PCOS System to successfully manage their PCOS symptoms naturally.
For more information:
www.pcos.insulitelabs.com
December 7th, 2009
The Reproductive Medicine Network (RMN) has today announced plans to launch a series of clinical trials and participants are needed.
The trials will focus on four areas: Female Infertility, Male Infertility, IVF (in vitro fertilization) and multiple gestations as a result of ovarian stimulation.
The RMN study for female infertility will address women with PCOS. It’s goal is to determine the efficacy of various medications designed to aid in conception and live birth outcomes.
The trials will include 750 female participants, 100 of which will visit the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. (Interested Michigan-based women may contact Linda Vandell, 734-998-4973 email: vandelll@umich.edu.)
For further information on the study addressing infertile women, visit:
For additional information on the trials in general:
An interesting piece of information, the Reproductive Medicine Network was founded in 1989 and funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
