.
Recent scientific research has clearly identified that one of the causes of PCOS is Insulin Resistance. Insulin Resistance occurs when your cells do not have enough of insulin receptor sites. When cells have too few insulin receptor sites they cannot effectively burn glucose. This excess glucose is then sent to the liver where it is converted to fat. Simply stated, Insulin Resistance is a recently discovered condition in which the body's cells are unable to respond to insulin. Insulin acts like a key to your cell's door, opening it, and allowing food in the form of glucose to be effectively burned as fuel. When you have Insulin Resistance, insulin cannot open the cell's door and glucose cannot enter. Instead glucose is converted to fat by the liver to be stored throughout the body. If a woman is insulin resistant, dieting and exercise may have limited results in their efforts to lose weight. .
The vast majority of women with PCOS experience insulin resistance, particularly if obese. Insulin Resistance, regardless of its cause, is closely associated with hyperandrogenism (increased levels of male hormone production in women). Insulin increases the output of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the hypothalamus. Excess LH, in turn, leads to elevated levels of testosterone relative to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradol. Elevated insulin also reduces sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), resulting in increased levels of free (bioavailable) testosterone and estradol.
Although there is some thought that androgens instigate insulin resistance, mounting evidence supports hyperinsulinemia as the major physiologic link between nutrition, obesity, and the development of a hyperandrogenic profile. For example, studies of insulin resistant women with PCOS have demonstrated a return to normal ovulating cycles with the administration of insulin lowering drugs. Pharmaceutical ovarian suppression (i.