PCOS diet can make a difference

Not only was it a chance for the model and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant’s fans to catch their first glimpse of baby Harry who was born 10 weeks prematurely, but he and big brother Archie are the precious children Danielle and fiancé, footballer Jamie O’Hara, thought they might never have.

Like one in four women in Northern Ireland, Danielle suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome, a disorder which she also shares with fellow celebrities Victoria Beckham, Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh and Eastenders actress Natalie Cassidy.

As well as being one of the leading causes of female fertility problems, on a very personal level this genetic condition can severely affect a woman’s appearance and self-esteem. It can also have serious long-term health implications including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Many women are reluctant to discuss their symptoms, making diagnosis difficult.

Although there is no cure for PCOS, its symptoms can be treated and local independent diet adviser Denise Scott has very good reason to believe in the benefits of one particular nutritional plan - one of her own clients from Co Londonderry recently became mother to the 300th baby to be born as a result of following it.

Denise runs the north coast’s Causeway Smithy B&B and as owner of consultancy business dietNI, is the sole ambassador in Ireland for diet guru Norah Lane’s nutritional programmes.

With 35 years of experience in the business, Norah certainly knows her stuff. Her revolutionary Metabolic Rate Rotation Diet Programme has been endorsed in the British Council’s Medicine Guide and her specialist support is recognized by leading PCOS organizations including self-help group, Verity.

Denise herself is a well-known face on the Northern Irish slimming scene, having previously been the founding consultant for a world-famous slimming brand, but she is now convinced that private one-to-one consultations are the most effective way to achieve healthy, long-term weight-loss.

She explains: “It is just so lovely to be able to help someone achieve their dreams. PCOS affects a quarter of women and many of them don’t even know they have it. There is absolutely nothing faddy or gimmicky about the diet. There are no supplements, no pills, no meal replacements.

“It is based solidly on Norah Lane’s years of research, studying and perfecting individual eating plans to help hundreds of medical conditions. I am passionate about helping people get healthy, lose weight and get the life they should have.”

The fact that high-profile sufferers such as Danielle, Victoria, Kym and Natalie are now all proud mums should give hope to the thousands diagnosed with the disease here. And while quick to acknowledge that dieting is not easy, Denise is adamant that she will give her all to help anyone who genuinely wants to change their life for the better.

“My first session with you as a client will involve me basically getting to know your situation and building up a relationship with you. I will formulate a diet that is uniquely for you – I’ll even try to incorporate at least some of the little treats that you like.

“Dieting is hard but it shouldn’t be punishing, and it should be affordable too. It’s not just about losing the weight, it’s about keeping it off and I’ve found that one-to-one consultations or small groups are the best way to do this. I personally want to see you succeed.”

* For further information about the PCOS diet, other dietNI plans and current offers visit www.dietni.co.uk, email [email protected] or telephone Denise on 07515066975.

BY RHONDA WEIR