kerry_krasts

Amino acids changed my life, starting with 5-HTP.
I did a saliva / urine analysis that showed low levels of serotonin and my acupuncturist suggested I take 5-HTP for a while. I took it in combination with Melotonin in a chewable supplement and have to say...I haven't felt significantly down since. I only had to take it for a short period, as amino acids get replenished in the brain. Later, I also noted that I experience a "fog" that I had a hard time focusing and thinking through. It was suggested that I try another amino acid called Phenylalanine and within an hour of taking it - it was like someone had washed the windows. I felt positive, clear and motivated. I do not suffer from severe depression, but I must say I am a big believer in amino acids for mild to moderate mood disorders. A great resource is a book called The Mood Cure by Julia Ross.

Soy products are a double edged sword in my opinion. Soy milk is actually very hard on the body...it's surprisingly very processed and often contains a lot of sugar. My recommendation of soy is kind of antecdotal. Despite the above, I still usually get a soy misto (coffee w/ steamed soy milk) at Starbuck's 5 days a week. I've noticed that when I've stopped getting them, I do get a little more cystic acne on my chin. I wonder if the estrogens in the soy are helping to balance my testosterone levels (what causes cystic acne.) I don't know this for sure and I personally use acupuncture and a supplement called ChiroBalance to keep my periods normal and ovulation a "go." BUT I wouldn't rule out a little soy either. Try it and see if it works for you. Perhaps in a supplement, instead of soy milk. But I wouldn't mess around with it too much, without a doctors supervision.

Absolutely, without question. People with PCOS usually have some level of insulin resistance. I was hungry ALL THE TIME and gained weight quicker than most - even though I'm very active. A low-glycemic (low carb) diet is key for people with PCOS. Following the diet, regular acupuncture, exercise and supplements like Health Concerns ChiroBalance and TrueBalance have allowed me to get off synthetic hormones (i.e. birth control) to manage my hormones.

Birth control is the easiest way to manage the hormone imbalances and subsequent symptoms of PCOS. I am not a huge fan of synthetic hormones and after 15 years on the pill, am managing my PCOS perfectly through a low-glycemic diet, regular acupuncture and herbs. BUT, until I made the switch birth control pills helped me enormously.

When I was first diagnosed with polycystic ovaries as a teenager, I was put on birth control pills to manage it. They worked well, but at a certain point in my life I became uncomfortable with synthetic hormones and wanted another alternative. I had less stress, had incorporated a fairly low-glycemic diet and exercise and felt that enough time had passed (15 years!) to see how I'd do off the hormones. I looked to acupuncture for a smooth transition and I have been off birth control for over a year now, am having regular periods and my hormone levels are totally normal. I started out going once a week for almost 9 months. I continued to correct my diet, based on my acupuncturists recommendation - I cut out dairy and avoided anything that would cause stagnation in my lower body. I had a tiny bit of acne at first, but nothing severe. And I did 3 months of prep before I went off the birth control pills. Acupuncture has really helped me manage stress and balance my hormones. I would HIGHLY recommend it as part of treatment for PCOS that also includes a low-glycemic diet, exercise, stress-management (that was a BIG one for me in terms of exacerbating symptoms.) I am also currently taking a new herbal formula from Health Concerns developed specifically for PCOS called ChiroBalance.