Food and nutrition play a crucial role in contributing to a healthy body and reproductive system. In fact, the building blocks for hormones are found in the food we consume. For instance, antioxidants in certain foods assist in protecting the egg and sperm from free radicals. In the other hand, chemicals added to some foods could be harmful to your health and fertility.
It was found that the increasing consumption of sugary sodas and fruit, starches, red meat and trans fat is a big factor contributing to the rising of infertility rates nowadays. According to Dr Walter Willett M, D., our bodies digest bad carbs (cookies, cakes, cereals, sugary drinks, chips, and white bread) quickly, and turn them into blood sugar. Insulin is then released from the pancreas into the bloodstream in order to drive down the blood-sugar spike. Previous studies showed that these high insulin levels could inhibit ovulation. It also showed that women with the highest glycemic load (a measure of the number of bad carbs eaten and how quickly they’re turned into blood sugar) were more than 90 per cent more likely to have ovulatory infertility than those with the lowest glycemic load.
What is a fertility diet?
A recently-performed study by Harvard showed an 80% decrease in infertility with lifestyle changes made by switching to a fertility diet.
The fertility diet is the type of diet which includes foods that are rich in certain nutrients needed for hormonal function, production and balance, fetal development, egg and sperm health, and many more. This diet is designed to aid your body in balancing existing fertility issues and also building up the nutrient stores and constituents for a healthy child.
Harmful herbicides and pesticides in conventional products have been shown to negatively affect both male and female fertility.
Male exposure to pesticides is linked to altered sperm quality and sterility, while female exposure may interfere with puberty, menstruation and ovulation, and fertility. Studies have also shown organic vegetables and fruits to have more nutritional values.
Cattle that are raised conventionally contain high levels of added hormones and antibiotics leading to the domination of estrogen.
In the other hand, grass-fed meat is low in saturated fat and is a good source of protein and essential fatty acids.
For you who have endometriosis, it is suggested to reduce the consumption of red meat has there is a correlation between high red meat consumption and endometriosis.
High blood sugar levels can be regulated by increasing the consumption of high-fibre food.
This can help to reduce fertility issues such as PCOS and induces healthy hormonal balance. High fibre foods are beans, dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, and wholegrain and wholemeal products.
It is strongly recommended to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of clean, purified or filtered water daily.
The best waters to choose from are reverse osmosis and distilled.
It is not recommended to have bottled water as there are higher chances for it to contribute to hormonal imbalance as there might be estrogen-mimicking chemicals in it. Avoid tap water, as it might contain traces of harmful pesticides from agricultural runoff.
If you need consultation or assistance or enquiry please do not hesitate to contact us on 9820 8651 or email: info@medccc.com. We are looking forward to assisting you.
Fertility Acupuncture, Acupuncture, Fertility, IVF Acupuncture
Port Melbourne
Brighton
Elwood
Elsternwick
Glen Iris
Malvern
South Yarra
Prahran
St Kilda Road
Richmond
