PROGENORM®

Ingredients
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed d.e. titrated to 45% in furostanol saponins, bulking agents: microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate; stabiliser: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; zinc gluconate, Progeplus® [wild yam (Dioscorea villosa L.) tuberised root and rhizome d.e. titrated to 3.5% in diosgenin, stabilisers: beta-cyclodextrin, sucrose esters of fatty acids), anti-aggregation agents: magnesium salts of fatty acids, silicon dioxide. Gluten free.

Directions for use
1 tablet per day, to be swallowed with water, for a period of 1-3 months. The sustained-release tablet allows for single daily administration, releasing the right amount of active ingredient throughout the day.

Warnings
Do not take the product during pregnancy and lactation.

Food supplements must not replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity.

A proper nutritional diet is particularly important in case of disorders related to carbohydrate metabolism.

• Avoid consuming sweets (cakes, biscuits, ice cream, candy), carbonated soft drinks, wine, spirits and beer, refined white sugar, fructose and synthetic sweeteners.
• Check the ingredients on the packaging of industrial products as they usually contain sources of added sugar to preserve food
• Prefer whole grains of different types (e.g. rice, barley, oats...)
• Use healthy (unsaturated) fats such as raw vegetable oils (extra virgin olive oil, linseed oil, sunflower seed oil, nuts and pine nuts) or fish oil, which help promote the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, K and D).

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)
Generally, PCOS, which is the most common cause of female infertility, is characterised by the presence of enlarged ovaries with numerous cysts and three main symptoms (triad):

• menstrual cycle disorders
• hirsutism, as well as other symptoms such as acne and seborrhoea, alopecia, thickened brown/black areas of skin on the large skin folds of the body
• male-type obesity, with fat accumulation especially around the belly, associated with insulin resistance.

Causes
The triggering cause is hyperandrogenism, i.e. the excess of androgens (male hormones) due to insulin resistance, i.e. the inability of the body to metabolise carbohydrates effectively. Excess insulin in the blood causes hyperandrogenism and, consequently, a reduction in female hormones. This is because the formation of SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) is reduced, i.e. the “globulin that binds sexual hormones” which, in women, modulates testosterone activity.

Managing polycystic ovary syndrome
To reduce the symptoms, some good daily habits in terms of diet and lifestyle in general can be very helpful:

• keeping your diet in check, especially at breakfast, by cutting down on carbohydrates and increasing protein intake (e.g. oilseeds, legumes such as soy in the form of milk, cheese, yoghurt or kefir, or even English breakfast with eggs or ham)
• regularly practicing gentle and relaxing physical activity: losing fat mass by as little as 5% and gaining lean mass improves insulin resistance, reduces peripheral production of androgens and promotes proper ovulation.