Discussion Board

Hello! I am a newbie and found this website. I have been a meat eater all my livelong day but I have been living wtih PCOS since high school and have been dealing with acid reflux for years and it's at the point now where the bile is constantly in my throat and if someone walks by with perfume or cologne on, I get to hacking. so. I thought hard and figured that with all that triggers both my pets (pcos and gerd), veganism was the answer.

I don't have med insurance and don't have the money for a doctor.

I don't seem to have much to eat besides tofu, zucchini, summer squash, and asparagus. and oatmeal. I am v v sick of eating these and it's only been a week!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
PS. I do walk often for 40 minutes here in the rockies at least 4 times per week. I'm 5'8" and 180 pounds.

Thanks!

WinterRaven:
Not sure what PCOS is. Is it a form of diabetes? Anyway you have come to the right place for GERD. I just finished reading the new McDougall book called the Digestive Tune up. I would highly recommend it. As far as food is concerned you might try adding brown rice and potatoes. On this program the starch is at the center of the diet. Think of the starch as the main course. The asparagus and other veggies are good around the edges but the starch is the main deal. Check the hot topics center of the main page for suggestions for GERD. Try getting one of the McDougall books for recipes.

WinterRaven,
I looked up PCOS on WebMD. WebMD explained that about 50% of women with PCOS have the insulin problem. WebMD under treatment recommended diet and exercise. So the McDougall program is probably the best thing to try. This is the direct quote for WebMD under PCOS,
" Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and weight control are the cornerstone of treatment for PCOS. Sometimes, also using a medicine to balance hormones is helpful."
Maybe the McDougall approach will qualify you for being in the group not needing the medicine.
Good luck.
Please look at the main board under hot topics and check out diabetes. There are some wonderful articles there. Diabetics have used this program to achieve normal blood sugar levels. I am also trying to avoid diabetes also. I am at risk too because of my age, family history of diabetes, the former weight I was carrying around, my former waist circumferance and my former extremely high triglyceride levels. The program has fixed my wieght (maintained a 50 pound weight loss for 4 years, reduced my waist line from 42 to 36 inches, and brought the triglycerides into the normal range. I cannot lower my age or family history, but I feel fine and optimistic that I can avoid the ravages of diabetes.
I would like to lose an additional 20 pounds and two inches from the waist this year, (I had lost 70 pounds initially and have allowed 20 to sneak back on) I guess that is my resolution. My fingers are crossed.

I had PCOS, and am now in my late 40's. I only found McDougalling 4 years ago, but I feel so much better. I also had GERD until one day about 4 weeks into McDougalling when I realized I no longer had heartburn. I was able to come off all meds and no longer have problems at all. I do keep my head of bed elevated though.

My advice to you would be read the program through and then read it again. Lose the tofu - it's too high in fat and should only be used occasionally - get some brown rice and potatoes and other vegetables, and start eating whole foods with no added oil, no nuts or nut butters. If you are relying on zucchini and asparagus for your only vegetables you will be way too hungry.

I was in a study for women with PCOS and took metformin for three years. When I was on the study, my fasting insulin was in the 8 to 18 range, never lower than 8. After McDougalling, it is now in the 3 to 4 range. You're found the right place, stick around!

I am over 50 and have had PCOS forever (or so it seems). I got Type 2 diabetes at 35 and they put me on Metformin. It brought my blood glucose down but it gradually built up again and they added a sulphonylurea. I took that for nearly seven years, with metformin, then it started to be less effective and it looked like I was headed for insulin.

I went to my doctor, one of the few McDougall convinced doctors in Australia. He told me about McDougalling, and I was desperate so I gave it a go. 2 years later and I'm still doing it, though I have had times when I've really struggled. Still, I've lost another 20 kilos, and I've dropped nearly all the diabetes meds. I only take 2 metformin tablets a day and I feel better than I have in 20 years

As you've been advised - get the book. Get into the starchy vegetables, like swede and pumpkin (squash in US?), and use variety, variety, variety. I eat anything up to 10 different veggies in a day.

Small side effect of McDougalling - I had bad osteo arthritis in my hands that stopped me playing guitar. Within a month of getting off meat and dairy all the osteo had gone. One cafe latte (with milk) and it's back as is the stuffy head.

It really is worth sticking to this - you will have issues to work out with it depending on your life style but to feel 30 when your 50, and what's more to look better is really worth it.

I was 'diagnosed' with PCOS when I was in my early twenties and trying to get pregnant. Infertility is common with PCOS. Interestingly, after becoming a vegetarian my doctor was surpised that over several years now I have had NO cysts on my ovaries and have had regular menstrual cycles etc... It isn't a life sentence it is simply due to the excesses in the SAD diet.

You have come to the right place, the McDougall diet can definately help you with those issues.

Hello, I'm also from Australia.
Where is this doctor located??? PLEASE say Melbourne...

I've had PCOS since I was 23 (diagnosed then) and things have progressively become much worse. My cholesterol is going through the roof, I have high prolactin and most other things aren't "normal" either. I've been to see a few GPs and specialists, and they just seem to shrug their shoulders (my immune system isn't so good either). I've been referred to an endocrinologist, however I have to wait 4 months to get an appointment (some aren't even taking new clients... does that mean that patients have no expectation of ever getting better ). I was feeling very depressed today, but then I decided to have a look at the McDougall site again (I came across it not too long ago).

I am really glad that I have found this forum, because I've been indoctrinated to believe that carbs are bad for PCOS insulin resistance (although I might add that my fasting glucose is normal). I am very happy for those of you that have reversed this terrible condition. I have complete faith that all conditions can be alleviated with this way of eating.

It would be nice to see a doctor that supports and promotes this way of life. Please if you can help me, I'd appreciate their contact details.

Regards,
Lisa.

I know that most PCOS groups endorse a diet that is high protein and low carb. They think this is good and if you mention otherwise you are run out of town on a rail, so to speak.

In my experience most doctors don't care much about what diet I follow, they just have said to lose weight. I have not yet found a doctor who follows Dr. McDougall's recommendations but am looking. As far as I can tell, you just need to interview them and see if they meet your criteria.

That is good that your fasting blood sugar is normal. What was always tested for me, in addition to sugar and everything else, was fasting insulin levels. Mine were high (10 to 18, high or high normal range) even when I was put on Glucophage during the study I was involved with (I am not and never was diabetic.) but this was during SAD eating days. Now that I am on the McDougall program my fasting insulin levels are always very low, like 3.1 or so.

No faith is required. Dr. McDougall's suggestions are based on evidence. He offers reasons for what he suggests. Plus you can read the testimonial evidence of the Star McDougallers.

A wide variety of evidence exists, ranging from some clinical studies in some areas to anecdotal evidence provided by people in this discussion board. As always, you must assess the evidence -- of each type -- yourself, make a plan, stick to it (making no exceptions whatsoever), and watch the results over a period of three to six months.

Assuming you understand what you are doing and you follow a plan completely, then your own experiences are evidence too.

Lisa,
Go to the top of this page and click on drmcdougall.com for the doctor's main page. You will find archived newsletters, a thorough explanation of the eating plan, books, information on his clinic, and contact information.

Lisa: You might try e-mailing Dr. McDougall himself for a reference. I suspect he might have figured out over the years who is of like mind.

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

I've emailed Dr. McDougall, and I'll also have a further look on this site.

Regards,
Lisa.

I was diagnosed with PCOS many years ago, I had infertility problems etc.. I have been vegan for several years and I no longer have ANY problems. I haven't even had cysts on my ovaries in years. You have definately come to the right place. It can be hard to transition and learn how to make food differently but don't give up, it is so worth it!

I make brown rice with pasta sauce and vegetables
Portobello mushroom burgers on sprouted grain buns
cut some potatoes into fries and make a sauce with tofu, ketchup and stone ground mustard for the burger.
Stirfry green beans, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, onion in some soy sauce and water and serve it over brown rice.
Boil sweet potatoes and make mashed sweet potatoes with a little soy milk and maple syrup, they are great.


PCOS is linked with cows milk and meat. Cow's milk has 59 naturally occuring active hormones (organic and conventional) that interfere with many processes in the body. Insulin growth factor (found in all species milk) The bovine IGF is recognized as foreign in the human body and is attacked by the immune system which in the process damages the pancreatic islet cells responsible for insulin production leading to diabetes.

All animals have hormones running through their bodies that regulate their bodily functions, when we eat their flesh these hormones interfere with our hormonal balance and can trigger endometriosis, fibroids and other female problems. It is crucial that you remain on a plant based diet, your body will normalize and you will feel 100% better!!

Do a search on the homepage for the newsletter, there are many, many recipes in each newsletter, try some of the recipes so you can gain a greater variety of food. Good Luck! This is a great message boad, if you need help or encouragement you can find it here.

Winterraven,

The others have covered the disease itself. As for your food issues, McDougalling is not pricey ... me and my hubby don't have much money and do just fine. A few good sources for recipes include the newsletters on this site (just go to the main page and check out the archive), "The McDougall Quick and Easy Cookbook" is great and the recipes are easy. Also, to get the program basics along with some recipes, check out "The McDougall Program: 12 days to dynamic health" This book is available on this site, both as a full book or an e-book, but you can also take it out of your local library and buy the cookbook instead.

Some things I eat:

Breakfast:
-Shreaded wheat (100%) with 1/4 cup soy milk mixed with 1/4 cup of water
-Oatmeal topped with a dash of cinamon and 1 tsp of turbinado sugar (it has flavor as well as sweetness) and a 1/4 cup of soy milk or les

Lunch
-2 oz whole wheat pasta, cover with water, add 1/2 small onion, some chopped veg of your choice (I like zuchini or summer squash or snap peas or green beans) some green peppers if you like (I buy the frozen ones and use just a small amount to flavor the dish... or buy one and freeze most of it) and either 1/4 cup salsa, 1T reduced salt soy sauce or tamari and a 1/4 tsp asian seasoning of your choice, or a chopped tomato with a bit of oregano.
- 1 tsp no oil added hummus on a whole wheat bread with lettuce, onion, pepper rings, sliced cucumber and occasionally a tomato accompanied with either some baked no salt guilt free gourmet tortilla chips and salsa or a simple salad using iceberg, carrots, cabbage and fat free salad dressing

Dinner
- bean burritos (see any McDougall cook book)
- whole wheat pasta with fat free maranara and a salad
- stir "fry" using water instead of oil with a lot of vegies (cabbage works well with onions, broccoli with mushrooms) with some tofu (firm Chinese style), seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, crushed red pepper, over brown rice
- brown rice toped with black beans, salsa, onion, and tomatoes.
-curried vegies (potato, onion, peas, 1 can chopped tomatoes, and maybe some seitan) over brown rice

I hope this helps

You might also look at the recipes at http://fatfreevegan.com/