Dr. Vidya Baudle

The ovaries are an important part of the female reproductive system. In a normal scenario, a woman has two ovaries that lie on either side of the uterus. Their main function is to produce eggs and release them into the fallopian tubes. These eggs then travel to the uterus where they may be fertilized. The ovaries are also responsible for the release of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help regulate the menstrual cycle.

The functioning of the ovaries is directly related to a woman’s age. When a girl is born her ovaries have approximately 2 million eggs. These are in the form of follicles. By the time she reaches puberty, this number would have reduced to around 400,000. It is believed that a woman releases only around 450 eggs during her entire reproductive period. This is less than 1% of the eggs she was born with. During each menstrual cycle, one of the follicles will mature into an egg and be released. At the same time, some follicles may die. Thus, as a woman ages, the number of eggs available reduces. By her 30th birthday, the rate at which eggs are lost increases. By her 40th birthday, a woman’s eggs will die rapidly. Without a healthy egg being released sperm cells will have nothing to fertilize. Thus, ovarian functioning decreases as a woman grows older. This implies that the risk of infertility also increases as a woman grows older.

Along with a decrease in the number of eggs available the quality of eggs also reduces with age. Thus, though the ovaries may release an egg even when a woman is in her 40s, the chance of these eggs being fertilized is very low. Even if the egg is fertilized, women who conceive a child after the age of 40 have a high risk of miscarriage. There is no direct way to assess the quality of a woman’s eggs but some tests may help indicate the chances of getting pregnant. This includes a Basal FSH to indicate the level of follicle stimulating hormones, tests to determine the amount of Estradiol and tests to determine ovarian reserve. Ultrasounds can also help assess the number of follicles in the ovaries. This test is known as an Antral Follicle Count.

Infertility caused by decreased functioning of the ovaries is usually termed as unexplained infertility. In such cases, IVF is often the most preferred form of treatment.

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High blood sugar occurs when the insulin in the body fails to metabolize the sugar from the food, which raises the amount of glucose in your blood. It is a metabolic disorder which can be managed effectively with the help of lifestyle modifications such as exercise and food. This article is going to focus on the foods that you can eat to lower your blood sugar levels.

Here are 9 foods that you can use to reduce blood sugar levels:

1. Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a herb which is very effective in getting your blood sugar down to manageable levels. You can simply sprinkle cinnamon on your food before eating it.

2. Fenugreek (methi): Fenugreek is a common spice which is used in almost all Indian cuisines. It has a number of health benefits, one of which is reducing blood sugar levels. Soaking fenugreek in water and then drinking it the next day is a very effective remedy in combating sugar problems.

3. Garlic: Not just for sending away the vampires!, it is also very effective in blood sugar control. Extracts of garlic have been shown to increase insulin in the body which is required to metabolize the sugar in the body.

4. Heart Healthy Fats: Heart healthy fat based foods such as nuts and seeds are good for increasing the good cholesterol levels (HDL) in the body. Avocadoes contain nutrients which lower the risks of various diseases such as diabetes. In a nutshell, these fats make the cells of the body less resistant to insulin.

5. Blueberries: Blueberries contain anthocyanin (water soluble pigments) which is very good for your health. They also contain fiber in large amounts which make you feel fuller faster. This fruit has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in the body.

6. Vinegar: Vinegar is an age old remedy to control blood sugar levels; it contains acetic acid which causes a reduction in certain harmful enzymes in the stomach. Vinegar is also known to prevent blood sugar spikes when consumed with food.

7. Complex Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates raise your blood sugar but not like its cousin, simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates cause an immediate spike in your blood sugar levels where as complex carbs provide a steady stream of energy. So drop that packet of refined flour and get that whole wheat variant.

8. Cherries: Cherries, especially tart cherries and dark sweet cherries, are full of anthrocyanins. Insulin resistance prevents insulin from working properly to control blood sugar in normal ranges. Eating a diet high in anthrocyanins can mean improved use of insulin and lower blood sugars.

9. Nuts: People who eat nuts regularly have lower rates of heart disease than people who don't eat them. Even among the healthiest eaters, the ones who also eat nuts boast the best health record. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a doctor and ask a free question.