#nutrient needs

PCOS is a complex condition with several complications which differ from female to female. The common issues linked with PCOS are obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and imbalanced hormones (higher than normal male hormone levels).

For all of them collectively, these minerals when added in the diet have shown improvement in several studies. Here’s how they help -

1. Magnesium:

Improves body's response to insulin

Aids in weight management

Reduces inflammation & anxiety

Lowers blood pressure

Is found to be low in women with PCOS & insulin resistance

Sources: green leaves (Spinach), Bananas, Seeds (pumpkin/flax/chia), Beans

2. Chromium:

Improves body’s response to insulin

Helps stimulate ovulation

Helps regulate menstrual cycle

Reduces male hormones in the body such as testosterone

    Sources: Most of fruits & vegetables such as- Apples, Oranges, Grape juice, Tomato, Beans

 3. Iodine:

Helps regulate the hormones by affecting the thyroid gland

    Sources: Prunes, Iodized Salts

4. Selenium:

improves chances of pregnancy

reduces inflammation in the body

Helps normalize hormone levels in the body

  Sources: Brazil nuts, Brown rice, Sunflower seeds, Mushrooms, Spinach

Minerals are to be taken within the required dosage only.

Takeaway:

Aging affects everything. The changes you can see and feel are well known, but did you know there are changes that happen in your gut as well? The impact of aging on uptake of nutrients is far more complex than we can think of. This is why the risk of reduced quality of life increases as we age.

To counter the same, it becomes increasingly crucial to be aware of the changing needs of your body and then, alter your diet, habits and nutritional support practices accordingly.

First, lets learn about the changes in the gut-brain connection -

1. Less Digestion & Absorption:

With age, stomach acid decreases.

This affects absorption of vitamin B12, calcium, iron and magnesium.

Risk of deficiency increases.

2. Food Intake is Lowered:

Sense of thirst and hunger decreases

Hunger hormones decrease

Muscle loss increases

All of this decreases the appetite and makes it more difficult to meet the nutrient needs.

3. Nutrient Needs Increase:

On the other hand where intake and absorption has gone down, need for certain nutrients shoots up.

Skin becomes thinner and so, the ability to synthesize Vitamin D reduces

This affects calcium uptake

Bone health goes down

Medications also interfere with nutrient uptake

In conclusion: