We’re back with Episode 54 of the Real World Paleo Podcast. Christine chats with Dr. Fiona McCulloch, ND, founder and owner of the White Lotus Clinic about her new book: 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS. Dr. McCulloch has both personal and professional experience with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which affects at least 7 million women in the United States and 116 women worldwide. Dr. Fiona reveals some interesting research and facts about this complex lifelong hormonal condition, whichimpacts fertility, the skin, cardiovascular health and metabolism.
Topics
- 3:00 How do you define PCOS; what are some of the key criteria used in a medical evaluation?
- 6:30 Dr. Fiona’s journey with PCOS and interest in specializing in that
- 7:30 Is PCOS misdiagnosed as well as misunderstood?
- 8:05 Is PCOS a condition solely of reproductive age?
- 9:19 Individual variation in PCOS and story of Elizabeth and Sophia
- 10:38 Why is inflammation a central factor in PCOS and which tests do you recommend?
- 13:12 What’s the relationship between insulin resistance and PCOS and what’s the impact of insulin on ovaries?
- 14:54 The relationship between insulin resistance and leptin resistance
- 16:55 Why do women with PCOS make more cortisol than women without PCOS?
- 18:58 What’s the difference between adrenal fatigue and adrenal hyperactivity?
- 21:00 Can you separate out facial hair growth in hirsutism from hair loss (alopecia)?
- 22:24 How do you distinguish acne in teenagers from acne in teenagers with PCOS?
- 23:38 Common for doctors to prescribe birth control pills to regulate hormones—what’s your take on that?
- 25:40 Since you use phytoestrogens as natural treatments, why don’t you recommend soy?
- 26:15 Why does the chapter on thyroid imbalances come later in the book?
- 26:40Fertility is a real concern among women with PCOS so when and how do you address that?
- 29:00 Eating a balanced diet: what is the insulin counting system and how does it work?
- 32:21 Is more research needed on the Food Insulin Index?
- 34:15 What results are you getting with your insulin counting program in women with PCOS?