Eating Disorders

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can affect up to 20 percent of women and is a major cause of infertility. Women with PCOS among other issues, have an increase in circulating levels of hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen. Symptoms of PCOS include infertility, cystic acne, male pattern hair growth, poor blood sugar regulation, depression, anxiety and disordered eating patterns, to name a few. PCOS can occur in both overweight, normal weight or underweight women.

This is the ninth post in a series on some of the physiological (non-psychological) causes of depression and/or anxiety.

What is methylation?

Methylation is a process that happens in every cell of the body where one molecule passes a methyl group, which is a carbon atom linked to three hydrogens, to another molecule. Methyl groups are added to different proteins, DNA and other molecules. Methylation is involved in repairing DNA, turning genes, enzymes and neurotransmitters on and off, getting rid of toxins, energy production and regulating inflammation to name a few.