Infertility affects many couples. While there are treatments to increase the chances of getting pregnant, the cost, time and disappointment will take a toll on emotions and finances. There is so much information about diet and fertility out in the "TTC world" (trying to conceive) that it is difficult to know what to believe. Should you cut out sugar if you are trying to conceive? What about wheat gluten? Alcohol? Caffeine? What about supplements? High protein? Low fat?
Some cases of infertility are related to nutritional intake and can be corrected. Being fertile may be a matter achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. Being overweight or obese can result in irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles, increased risk of miscarriage and decreased success with fertility treatments. Being too thin can also lead to problems with ovulation. The ovaries and body fat cells produce estrogen which is needed to regulate ovulation. If you are too thin, your body may not be producing enough estrogen and if you are overweight or obese you may be producing too much estrogen. Therefore, by not maintaining a healthy weight, you are throwing your reproductive cycle out of balance.
Good nutrition is essential if you're thinking about starting a family or trying to conceive. Find out which foods are packed with the nutrients you need, and which foods you should be steering clear of:
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A regular detoxification with fruits, raw vegetables, non-roasted nuts, salads etc is recommended. In fact a raw foods vegan diet for 2 weeks is strongly recommended for any person contemplating any treatment for infertility as this detoxifies and clears the body of any residual toxins.
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High doses of zinc have been time and again proposed in fertility treatments. Vitamin E, Flaxseed oil, calcium have also been recommended.
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Organic, chemical free and antioxidants rich foods are advisable.
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Drink lots of water and always remain hydrated as the ovaries and testes are the first organs to have the water cut off from them when stores get low in the body.
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According to Ayurveda, the fertility is determined by 2 levels of nutrition, one is at the general level called the Bringhana which consists of nourishing all the sevan dhatus (tissue planes in Ayurveda) thereby enhancing the importance of detoxifying and nourishing the body through a vegetarian diet which is preferably free of all livestock. This should frequently be laced with hormones which concentrate in the human body and cause hormonal imbalances. The other part of Ayurveda deals with Vrishaya or the nourishment of the target organs which is done by a blend of herbs like aswagandha, shatavari, licorice (mulethi), long pepper, cinnamon (dalchini), shilajit, mineral pitch, ashok tree extracts. Many countries have their own star herbs like the maca herb of Peru.
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Many times women, who have a history of diabetes in their family, inherit a heightened insulin sensitivity which predisposes them to a condition called Polycystic ovary which leads to fertility problems. The best course of action is to eat a low glycemic index diet of low carbohydrate proportion, lots of fiber rich natural wholegrain products. Avoid milk and dairy products and instead consume soy milk. Also, always have an appropriate weight as obesity has a very big role in infertility due to syndrome X.
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Avoid smoking, alcohol (particularly important for women because women are more prone to alcohol side effects) tobacco, pan masala etc.
- Avoid
- Artificial sweeteners.
- Food coloring.
- Caffeine (chocolate, sodas, coffee, tea, some pain and cold remedies).
- Monosodium glutomate (MSG), BHA, and other food additives.
- Partially or uncooked foods.
- Contaminated food or water.
- Crash, fad, or high fat diets.
- Irresponsible and excess intake of over the counter medications.
Proper exercise and diet are important for maintaining good health and proper weight. Maintaining a healthy weight may help restore menstrual and ovulatory cycles in women and improve sperm production in men and consequently improve the chances of pregnancy. Techniques such as yoga and meditation have been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease levels of stress hormones and create significant improvements and a sense of well-being. Making positive changes in your lifestyle will not only have an impact on your fertility, it can better prepare your body to handle the rigors of pregnancy and assist in the creation of a healthy child.
