Michael AndeyinOn October 1, @Ol0ye, an X user, claimed that PCOS is caused by insulin resistance, is a spur of type 2 diabetes, and is directly linked to insulin resistance. The X user also claimed that Alzheimer’s disease is a spur of type 2 diabetes.
He wrote:
Apparently, PCOS is a spur of type 2 diabetes. And so is Alzheimer’s. All these new names for existing conditions in order to make people focus on the treatment of symptoms instead of root causes. Sugar is a poison for your body. Alcohol is a poison to your brain.
Apparently, PCOS is a spur of Type 2 diabetes. And so is Alzheimer’s. All these new names for existing conditions in order to make people focus on the treatment of symptoms instead of root causes. Sugar is a poison for your body.Alcohol is a poison to your brain.— Olóyè. (@Ol0ye) October 1, 2024
The post has gained over a million views, thousands of likes and retweets since it was posted. But the veracity of the claim has generated a discourse on the social media platform, with other users knocking @Ol0ye for claiming PCOS is caused by insulin resistance.
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@Mr_DaveChigozie, another X user, commented:
“PCOS does not have an exact root cause for now. But it has so many factors that can trigger it.”
In @Ol0ye’s response to this user, he said PCOS is caused by insulin resistance.
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It does. It’s caused by insulin resistance.— Olóyè. (@Ol0ye) October 1, 2024
“It does. It’s caused by insulin resistance,” @Ol0ye wrote.
@JustifiedEmmy, another X user, disagreed with @Ol0ye’s post, saying PCOS and Alzheimer’s disease are not directly caused by type 2 diabetes but share common underlying risk factors and pathological mechanisms.
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In his response to @JustifiedEmmy, @Ol0ye wrote: “It is directly linked with insulin resistance”
It’s directly linked with insulin resistance.— Olóyè. (@Ol0ye) October 1, 2024
CLAIM 1: PCOS is a spur of type 2 diabetes
CLAIM 3: PCOS is caused by insulin resistance.
CLAIM 3: PCOS is directly linked with insulin resistance.
VERIFICATION
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when the ovaries of women produce excess hormones. Irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods and unpredictable ovulation are common among women with PCOS. It is also a common cause of infertility.
There are four types of PCOS: Insulin-resistant PCOS, Inflammatory PCOS, Hidden-cause PCOS, and Pill-induced PCOS. Insulin-resistant. PCOS is one of the most common types of PCOS.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but several factors contribute to it, such as genetics, insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, among other factors.
Insulin is produced by the body to process sugar and use it for energy. When cells in some body parts, such as muscles, tissues and liver, can not process insulin correctly, it is called insulin resistance. When this happens, it results in high sugar levels and can cause diabetes.
Akinde Joseph, a gynecologist and past chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), told EQ on Thursday that patients with PCOS do have insulin resistance and doctors use anti-diabetic drugs to treat some of them.
“Patients with PCOS do have insulin resistance, and we actually use anti-diabetic drugs to treat some of them. It has also been found that some patients with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes later on in life,” said Joseph.
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Egbogu Stanley, a gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, agreed with Joseph’s statements.
“PCOS may be a risk for type 2 diabetes,” Stanley told EQ on Wednesday.
VERDICT: The claim that PCOS is a spur of type 2 diabetes is correct.
The claim that PCOS is linked with insulin resistance is correct.
However, the claim that PCOS is caused by insulin resistance is misleading.
CLAIM 4: Alzheimer’s disease is a spur of type 2 diabetes
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is a medical condition that affects the memory, behaviours and thinking of patients with the condition. It is the most common cause of dementia.
Like PCOS, Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes are connected.
Studies by the Keck School of Medicine of USC have shown that about 81% of people with Alzheimer’s disease also have type 2 diabetes.
Stanley also told EQ that having type 2 diabetes may be a risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Azheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease. Type 2 diabetes is an endocrine disease. Having type 2 diabetes may be a risk for Alzheimer’s disease. People with type 2 diabetes may have Alzheimer’s disease,” Stanley told EQ on Wednesday.
VERDICT: The claim that Alzheimer’s disease is a spur of type 2 diabetes is correct.
The post Is PCOS Caused by Insulin Resistance, As Claimed By X User? EQ Asked Gynaecologists appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.
