I blogged a few weeks ago about taking the step after doing much research and purchasing a bunch of various vitamins and supplements to assist me with my PCOS symptoms. See my blog from a few weeks ago – Everyone Has A Story. What is PCOS? Well its been a huge part of my life since 2005 and even before then, unknown to me. You can read more about it here – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

If you just google “vitamins to take for PCOS” you will be faced with thousands of web pages. Each person is different and in my own opinion you must do your own research before just jumping at the first “cure” you see – especially online. The information even regarding PCOS online can be quite different from site to site.

With PCOS there are a variety of symptoms you can be faced with, based on these is how I did my own research of which vitamins I should be taking. If I made a list of ALL vitamins or supplements I have ever read that would help with pcos I would be taking hundreds of pills – vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements.

At the end of March I began taking the following supplements:

• Women’s Multivitamin
• Vitamin B Complex
• Vitamin C (slow release)
• Vitamin D
• Omega 3/6/9
• Probiotic
• Cinnamon

I did miss a couple days due to being sick, however other than those days have been sure to take my vitamins daily – and aim to around the same time. After just over 2 weeks in taking them I am already beginning to notice I have more energy, sleeping better AND much to my surprise last night when stepping on the scale – I am finally slowly beginning to lose some weight! I even had my hubby go in and step on it because I was sure something was wrong with the scale 😉 It was a very happy evening for me!

As Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects our hormones and metabolism it is important to choose vitamins that will assist in replenishing what our body is lacking. So why are each of these vitamins important of what I am taking, this is what I have found on the Jamieson Vitamin Website:

• Women’s Multivitamin – By starting off taking a good multivitamin you are ensuring you are getting the minimum requirements.
• Vitamin B Complex – B Complex is a complete, bio-balanced formula that contains the eight essential B vitamins. It promotes the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy production, maintains healthy nerves and a healthy immune system. The anti-homocysteine complex supports cardiovascular health and assists in the formation of red blood cells. B vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy nerves, skin, hair, eyes, liver and good muscle tone. This product helps prevent neural-tube birth defects and eases stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Vitamin C (slow release) – Vitamin C promotes healthy capillaries, gums and teeth, and aids iron absorption. It helps heal wounds and broken bones and, by increasing the absorption of iron from the intestine, it helps treat anemia. Vitamin C plays a role in collagen formation within connective tissue and it contributes to hemoglobin and red-blood-cell production in bone marrow.
• Vitamin D – Vitamin D, often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” is a fat-soluble vitamin that it is also considered to be a hormone. Vitamin D is well known for the important role it plays in helping the body to absorb calcium as well as maintaining strong bones to prevent osteoporosis. New studies show that Vitamin D may also be effective in helping reduce the risk of certain cancers. Many researchers now advise increasing daily Vitamin D intake to 1,000 IU. Jamieson Vitamin D 1,000 IU is formulated with bioavailable Vitamin D₃ to help you meet your needs for this essential nutrient.
• Omega 3/6/9- Omega 3-6-9 is derived from fresh, pure cold-pressed oils of organic flax, borage and deep-water fish. This formula supports cardiovascular health and helps reduce high blood pressure. It also relieves arthritic joint swelling and pain and reduces inflammation associated with lupus and endometriosis. Omega 3-6-9 also helps maintain healthy brain and immune function, decreases flaking and itching associated with eczema and psoriasis and supports breast, colon and prostate health.
• Probiotic – 10 Billion Active Cells balances intestinal microflora and is used for overall digestive and immune health, the two main benefits that come from healthy bacteria in the gut.
• Cinnamon – as a natural way to reduce blood sugar, increase insulin levels, and help with  weight loss. Additionally, cinnamon can have positive effects on memory and  brain function, soothes the stomach, suppresses bacteria and reduces cholesterol  level. Read more:  Cinnamon for PCOS Weight Loss | eHow.com

Of course this is not an immediate or over night cure, this isn’t even the only way to manage, its also very important to watch the foods I eat and stay away from white flour, sugar and processed foods. Would be great if there was a cure, however much like many other health disorders and illnesses, its more how you can manage and live comfortably. I am looking forward to see how this continues to help me and am praying it will continue getting better!