LadyCoats Misadventures in Life, Love and the Pursuit of FITNESS: Nutrition for Fertility PART ONE

MAXIMIZING FERTILITY

One in every 4 couples suffers from some degree of infertility. The average length of time taken to get pregnant is six months, although 18 is not unheard of. Fertility and the speed of conception depend on many factors, some psychological, some physical, and some nutrition.

Vitamins for Fertilty:

The daddy is responsible for about 1/3 of infertility cases. Adding some extra vitamin C and E increase sperm count as well as sperm mobility. Males who are low in vitamin A show a difficulty with healthy sperm counts because vitamin A is dependent on the release of Zinc from the liver. Zinc is found in high concentrations in the male sex glands and in the sperm itself.

Care Prior to Conception:

It takes three months for sperm to mature, it takes a woman's egg only a month. Did you know a common miscarriage is due to a lack of progesterone?
Homocysteine is a new health marker that's been making headlines for it's association with more than 100 different health problems, including infertility and pregnancy complications. It's well worth checking your homocysteine levels before trying to conceive and having a low score is GOOD. If it's above 6, it can be lowered by supplementing folic acid, B12, B6..

Vitamins for a Healthy Pregnancy:

B complexes are super important, and beware of toxic metals like lead, cadmium and copper.

Morning Sickness:

In the first 3 months of pregnancy, all the babies organs are completely formed, so during this period, optimum nutrition is essential. Coincidently at this time, many women experience morning sickness and do not feel like eating. This is probably due to the increase of the hormone HCG. During pregnancy, the need for vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, iron and zinc increases. Eating small, frequent amounts of fruit, or complex carbs like nuts, seeds, or whole grains helps.

Think Zinc:

Getting through pregnancy without developing stretch marks isn't just luck, its related to a woman's nutritional status! For smooth and elastic skin, boost zinc levels and vitamins C and E.

(found this online)

For the Women…

Female infertility that can be traced to hormonal disruption, as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or luteal phase deficiency, responds especially well to dietary intervention. A few years ago, a book called The Fertility Diet highlighted results obtained from studying 18,000+ women and the associations between their diets and respective fertility rates. Critics suggested that the study design was far from air tight and that the book’s findings were most useful for women with PCOS. The book, however, offered generally sensible recommendations for the most part. Somehow the findings related to carbs was re-spun to suggest “good carbs” as opposed to low carbs as the specific results suggested, but that’s of little surprise. Based on the bulk of research out there, here are a few recommendations for women.

Achieve Normal Insulin Levels. Excess insulin can impair ovarian function and increase hormone-binding globulin, which raises androgen levels and commonly decreases ovulation. Although getting insulin under control can help boost fertility, avoid chromium picolinate during the preconception period, since it has been linked to DNA mutation and sterility.

Supplement Strategically. Iron and zinc are particularly crucial for early cell division once the egg is fertilized. Folic acid both pre-conception and in early pregnancy cuts the risk of neural tube effects. Higher iron levels have been linked to higher fertility.

Eat Clean Protein. The Fertility Diet authors suggests that balancing plant and animal protein corresponded with fewer fertility difficulties; however, no attention was given to the possible impact of livestock hormones, antibiotics, etc. If there’s any time to go organic, preconception is the time.

Eat Plenty of Good Fats. Trans fats are paramount in fertility impairment. One study showed that a 2% increase in trans fat intake resulted in a 75% increase in fertility risk. Full fat dairy showed a positive effect, but go for clean organic sources.

Go Low/No Alcohol and Caffeine. Both alcohol and caffeine have been shown to decrease fertility in women.