Improve your Fertility with a proper Diet

According to the National Survey of Family Growth, Infertility affects over 7.3 million individuals or 1 in 8 couples in the United States. While there are numerous conditions that may cause or contribute to a diagnosis of infertility, a poor diet is a growing and significant factor that couples can address.

Factors like age and genetics cannot be controlled, but controlling the foods you consume is something you can do yourself, without medical procedures, to help improve your fertility. Dr Sharara created The Infertility Diet (TID) to educate couples about this very important topic

 

As a woman contemplates conception, it is recommended that she starts consuming foods high in certain vitamins:

·      Vitamin B supports the release of an egg and promotes implantation Zinc can help with cell division and progesterone production

·      Vitamin C is found in high quantities in the follicle after the egg is release and could play a role in progesterone production

·      Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) promote blood flow to the uterus and support the opening of the follicle to release the egg

 It is also recommended to eat the following types of food:

1.    Leafy greens

2.    Whole Grains

3.    Eggs

4.    Meat

5.    Fish (or fish oil supplements)

6.    Drink LOTS of water. Water can transport hormones and develop follicles. It also thins out cervical mucus, allowing sperm to reach the egg

7.    Stop all processed food and avoid foods high in sugar

Dr. Sharara, the Founder & Medical Director at the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine understands the road to parenthood can be emotional and costly. To support and guide couples on their journey of trying to conceive, he created an app called “The Infertility Diet.” 

The App shows users how a proper diet can improve their chances of naturally conceiving a healthy baby.

We invite you to learn more about the app http://theinfertilitydiet.com/

Ovarian Reserve & Egg Quality: What can I do to improve them?

 Age is not the only factor that determines ovarian and egg health. Many factors can impact the health of a woman’s ovaries and eggs including environmental factors, hormones and stress, just to name a few! There are habits and factors you can focus on to increase the health of your eggs. 

Oxygen flowing to the ovaries is important for good egg health. To increase blood flow to the ovaries consider:

• Drinking at least 8, 8oz glasses of water everyday. Dehydration can cause your blood to become thick and decrease circulation in the body

• Exercise. Stay moving, run, dance, play a sport. Exercise increases blood flow and helps oxygenate the blood. However, avoid intense workouts and running 

• Get a massage. A common therapy for increasing blood flow to the reproductive system is by massaging your uterus and ovaries. Massages and acupuncture may help bring fresh, oxygenated blood to the ovaries and removes old stagnant blood. You can have a massage therapist perform an abdomen massage or find an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility

• Some supplements (such as CoQ10 and DHEA) may be helpful to egg quality. Please discuss this with your doctor before taking any of these

• Eat Healthy  

What you are eating can also impact the health of your ovaries and eggs in good or bad ways. 

Foods known to make a positive impact on Egg Health Include:

Broccoli            Berries            Dark Leafy veggies            Halibut

Salmon            Pumpkin Seeds            Sesame seeds            Ginger

Foods known to make a negative impact on Egg Health include:

Caffeine            Alcohol            Sugar                        Soda                        Processed foods           

Trans Fat            GMO Foods

Check out our useful app that will educate you on how simple dieting can help with fertility: http://theinfertilitydiet.com/

Life is overwhelming and women are constantly multi-tasking a variety of roles and responsibilities. To improve you egg health, reducing the stress in your life needs to be a priority. You need time for YOU! (and deserve it) Consider some of the following ideas:

·      Go for a walk

·      Take a warm bath

·      Read a good book

·      Craft or learn a new skill

·      Meditate

Supporting egg health is important for every woman who is trying to conceive. These simple habits can support and protect your egg health.