Help for PCOS with Acupuncture

A new study has come out indicating that exercise and electro-acupuncture treatments can reduce sympathetic nerve activity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), according to a new study. The finding is important because women with PCOS often have elevated sympathetic nerve activity, which plays a role in hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The study also found that electro-acupuncture treatments led to more regular menstrual cycles, reduced testosterone levels and reduced waist circumference.

One of the researchers, Dr. Elisabet Stener-Victorin of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden states that; “The findings that low-frequency electro-acupuncture and exercise decrease sympathetic nerve activity in women with PCOS indicates a possible alternative non-pharmacologic approach to reduce cardiovascular risk in these patients.”

The findings regarding menstrual cycles and decrease in testosterone levels also are important because this can help improve fertility in those PCOS patients who are trying to become pregnant.

As an acupuncturist with a specialty in women's health and fertility I often have patients who's fertility is impaired by PCOS. This is wonderful news and validation of the ability of acupuncture to normalize hormonal function and menstrual cycles. For more information on how acupuncture helps fertility visit my website.

The study, “Low-frequency electro-acupuncture and physical exercise decrease high muscle sympathetic nerve activity in polycystic ovary syndrome” was conducted by Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Elizabeth Jedel, Per Olof Janson and Vrsa Bergmann Sverrisdottir, all of the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden and the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. The study is in the online edition of the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, published by The American Physiological Society.

For more information on acupuncture and how it can help go to www.bethanymuhl.com

Maximize Fertility and Prepare for Pregnancy

Once a woman decides she is ready to have a baby she usually wants to become pregnant TODAY! However,that often doesn't happen. It can take a while to become pregnant and sometimes it can take much longer than anticipated. This can create anxiety, depression and anger.

One thing a woman can do is start planning for pregnancy before she thinks she is ready. That way when the time is right, conception can happen more quickly as the body is healthy and ready to support a pregnancy.

Here are some things one can do to prepare for pregnancy:

• Eat those vegetables!! I can't emphasize this enough. Vegetables are filled with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that can heal the body. I recommend eating veggies at every meal, or at least at lunch and dinner. The best ones to eat are broccoli, kale, collards, carrots, brussel sprouts, green beans, asparagus, spinach and yes you can eat salad, but don't count that as your veggie every day. Include one or two of the above every day in addition to salad if you have to have it.

• Include seaweed in your diet. Seaweed has many important minerals, contains lots of calcium and has many healing properties.

• Get enough rest. Plan to sleep 8 hours every night. This is when your body heals itself and does maintenance. I find that most people these days do not get enough rest and it is all important in maintaining good health.

• Exercise. Exercise helps one maintain a healthy weight, helps strengthen heart and lung function, keeps the qi (vital life force) flowing smoothly though out the entire body.

• Consider meditation. Meditation is a wonderful way to reduce stress. Stress can interfere our health in many ways. It lowers our immune system function, causes menstrual irregularities, interferes with sleep, affects metabolism and much more.

• Get regular acupuncture treatments! One of the best things you can do is make sure your body is ready for pregnancy by regulating your menstrual cycle or any other health imbalance with acupuncture before you want to get pregnant. Making sure you have a healthy menstrual cycle before pregnancy helps insure an easier time conceiving. Taking care of other health concerns before pregnancy helps insure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. This is preventive medicine!

The recommendations I've made are small things you can do to insure your fertility and a happy pregnancy. There are many more things that can be done and I am happy to share them with you. Check back here for updates and more information in future blogs or call me for a free personal consultation on how I may be able to help you achieve excellent and glowing fertility.

Call 310-367-1564 or visit my website: http://www.bethanymuhl.com