It's 4pm, the day is nearing an end, and you are feeling a little tired and in need of a sweet treat. Sound familiar? So what can you do about the sweet cravings? Here are 6 simple things you can do to help take control over the cravings:

1. Eat a low GI diet. This slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and prevents rapid insulin surges. It keeps you feeling full for longer and prevents a rapid rise and fall in blood sugar levels.

2. Get more chromium. Chromium is a trace mineral required for insulin to…

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal and metabolic disorder. Its name implies the presence of many small cysts on the ovaries, however, a woman can still have the condition without having any cysts. The cysts themselves are just one of the many symptoms that can occur, along with acne, hirsutism (excess hair), hair loss, irregular cycles and fertility problems, weight gain or trouble losing weight, sugar cravings, fatigue, mood swings, skin tags, and dark patches of skin around the armpits or skin folds.

If not managed, PCOS can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure…

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting women, causing symptoms such as weight gain, excess hair, acne, scalp hair loss, fertility problems, mood swings, skin tags, and an increased risk of diabetes. There are many myths surrounding PCOS., so let’s set some of them straight!

MYTH 1: If you are overweight you will just have to put up with it because there is nothing you can do.

WRONG! If you have PCOS and you are overweight, it can be more challenging to lose weight than the 'average' person, but it is certainly not impossible. The…

There is more to weight loss than just diet and exercise. Factors like allergies, hormones, stress, and polycystic ovaries can reduce the efficiency of your metabolism and prevent or slow down weight loss.

Are food allergies making you gain weight?
Bloating, fatigue, itchy skin and sinus problems are just some of the unpleasant symptoms of food allergies. But did you know allergies might also be slowing down your metabolism, causing weight gain and even preventing fat loss?
Food allergies occur when a food triggers an immune reaction in your body. Your body then goes into protection…

PCOS is now recognised to be a metabolic syndrome which may include hyperinsulinaemia, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, and possibly cardiac disease, as well as the more conventionally recognised increase in androgen levels, cosmetic problems such as acne and excess hair, anovulation, infertility, endometrial cancer and obesity.

Symptoms
Menstrual irregularities – cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
Hyperandrogenism – hirsutism, acne, male pattern baldness
Overweight – mainly central weight gain around stomach
Infertility – anovulation and/or dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Lack of a regular cycle – no period evident at all

Diagnostic Criteria
Polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed if…