Infertility problems affect a large number of women, approximately one in 10 (6.1 million) women in the United States ages 15–44, have difficulty becoming pregnant or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is crucial to optimize your health as you prepare to become pregnant and nutritional choices play a critical role. While a woman cannot always control all of the causes of infertility, one aspect of control they do have is with their eating habits.
Nutritional Tips For Battling Infertility
- Choose Decaffeinated. This may be a struggle for many women however, research has suggested that caffeine may interfere with the natural contractions that aid the transport of a women’s egg to her womb. It also appears that drinking two or more caffeinated beverages can actually increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Consider Antioxidants. Free radicals are unstable free electrons and can cause damage to cell structures. Since the body is made of cells, they need to be protected from these free radicals, and antioxidants are substances that do just that. The ovum (egg) and sperm are comprised of cells which can be negatively affected by free radical damage, as well as the reproductive organs and glands that produce the hormones needed for reproduction. When cells are less than optimal, the organs, ovum, sperm, etc., cannot function at their best. Vitamin C, CoQ10, Vitamin E and Lipoic Acid are examples of antioxidants. Fruits, vegetables, grass-fed meats, whole grains, berries, nuts, and seeds are excellent sources.
- Choose High Fat Dairy. A higher intake of low-fat dairy has been shown to raise the risk of ovulatory infertility when compared to high-fat dairy. One recommendation is to switch one serving per day sensibly, perhaps by choosing to use an organic ghee butter or Irish butter to add to your meal.
- Decline Alcohol. Alcohol can affect the adrenal glands, which regulates hormones. Making unhealthy choices that alter your hormones can lead to poor-quality eggs and a decreased sex drive. It should also be considered that alcohol can also cause birth defects before a woman realizes she’s pregnant.
- Decrease Your Sugar Intake. Concentrated doses of sweets can increase and cause fluctuations in your blood sugar and creates issues with insulin and your overall hormonal balance. Because insulin is chemically similar to the ovarian hormones that aid in making our eggs mature, the ovaries confuse the increased insulin with their own growth factors and de-regulate the production of reproductive hormones. This potentially interferes with egg maturation and ovulation.
- Hydrate. Adequate water intake can create more cervical mucus, which is necessary for egg fertilization. The more hydrated you are the easier the sperm can travel through cervical mucus Research has shown that sperm had more difficulty traveling through thicker cervical mucus with low water content. To give the best chances of conception, consider not only the food you eat but staying properly hydrated.
The Takeaway
Eating a nutritional diet in preparation for pregnancy and to boost fertility is one of the most powerful health changes you can make. Research has shown that specific changes to the diet have the power to improve fertility, prevent recurrent miscarriage, and support a healthy pregnancy.
The changes may be difficult to make and sustain but knowing that they make a healthier you and can increase your chance to succeed in getting and maintaining a healthy pregnancy is all the reward you need.
If you are interested in learning more about health and wellness, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many holistic treatments such as Decompression Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Neurofeedback, Psychology, Reiki, Nutrition, Corrective Exercises, and Massage. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health!
