Infertility is an all-too-common problem among couples looking to conceive. According to Resolve, the National Infertility Association, approximately 1 in 8 couples struggle to get and stay pregnant. Couples in this scenario often resort to spending tens of thousands of dollars on expensive fertility medicine and treatment that yields no tangible results. Here are 5 things you can do now to help boost your fertility!
#1) Manage Your Weight
Being either underweight or overweight can significantly reduce your chances of getting pregnant. One study involving the analysis of 2,112 female participants found that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-39 required twice the length of time to become pregnant as women with a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
#1) Manage Your Weight
Being either underweight or overweight can significantly reduce your chances of getting pregnant. One study involving the analysis of 2,112 female participants found that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-39 required twice the length of time to become pregnant as women with a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
#2) Eat More Liver
Some people might turn their head at the thought of eating liver, but it’s actually a delicious dish that can prove helpful in boosting your fertility. In fact, a report published by the Weston A. Price Foundation found liver to contain more nutrients, gram for gram, than any other food. Whether it’s beef or chicken, liver contains vitamin A, vitamin B, protein, folic acid, iron, purines (precursors for DNA) and more. Just make sure you are getting liver from pastured animals as conventional meats can be full of hormones and antibiotics- especially in the liver since it filters the blood!
#3) Eat More Seafood
Seafood – fish, oysters, clams, mussels, lobster, crabs, etc. – are an excellent food for boosting your fertility. They contain large amounts of zinc, iron, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, omega fatty acids (the good type of fat), and other essential nutrients, many of which are directly linked to the body’s reproductive system. When choosing seafood, however, it’s recommended that you opt for smaller-sized fish to minimize your consumption of mercury. Because of its large size, tuna carries a heavy dose of the toxic chemical mercury, and therefore should be consumed sparingly.
#4) Cut Back on Processed Foods
Many women who struggle to conceive eat far too many processed foods. While a fast food burger and fries may seem appetizing, it forces heavy amounts of saturated fat, sodium and even sugar into your body while offering little-to-no real nutritional value. Fertility experts say women should focus on a more natural diet if they want to conceive. Make sure you are eating lots of high quality protein in addition to organic veggies and fruits.
#5) Acupuncture
You might be surprised to learn that acupuncture can improve your chances of conceiving. Back in 2002, a team of German researchers performed a study to determine the effects of acupuncture on fertility. Researchers split 160 women who were trying to conceive into two groups: one group received acupuncture, while the second group did not it. They concluded that 42% of the women who received acupuncture got pregnant, whereas only 26% of the control group got pregnant. Does this mean acupuncture will guarantee a pregnancy? Not necessarily, but this form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is proven to help couples conceive in less time.
Give me a call today to learn how you can get on track to better health!
Sources:
http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about-resolve.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11937123
http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/8-ways-to-boost-your-fertility
http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/the-liver-files/
Some people might turn their head at the thought of eating liver, but it’s actually a delicious dish that can prove helpful in boosting your fertility. In fact, a report published by the Weston A. Price Foundation found liver to contain more nutrients, gram for gram, than any other food. Whether it’s beef or chicken, liver contains vitamin A, vitamin B, protein, folic acid, iron, purines (precursors for DNA) and more. Just make sure you are getting liver from pastured animals as conventional meats can be full of hormones and antibiotics- especially in the liver since it filters the blood!
#3) Eat More Seafood
Seafood – fish, oysters, clams, mussels, lobster, crabs, etc. – are an excellent food for boosting your fertility. They contain large amounts of zinc, iron, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, omega fatty acids (the good type of fat), and other essential nutrients, many of which are directly linked to the body’s reproductive system. When choosing seafood, however, it’s recommended that you opt for smaller-sized fish to minimize your consumption of mercury. Because of its large size, tuna carries a heavy dose of the toxic chemical mercury, and therefore should be consumed sparingly.
#4) Cut Back on Processed Foods
Many women who struggle to conceive eat far too many processed foods. While a fast food burger and fries may seem appetizing, it forces heavy amounts of saturated fat, sodium and even sugar into your body while offering little-to-no real nutritional value. Fertility experts say women should focus on a more natural diet if they want to conceive. Make sure you are eating lots of high quality protein in addition to organic veggies and fruits.
#5) Acupuncture
You might be surprised to learn that acupuncture can improve your chances of conceiving. Back in 2002, a team of German researchers performed a study to determine the effects of acupuncture on fertility. Researchers split 160 women who were trying to conceive into two groups: one group received acupuncture, while the second group did not it. They concluded that 42% of the women who received acupuncture got pregnant, whereas only 26% of the control group got pregnant. Does this mean acupuncture will guarantee a pregnancy? Not necessarily, but this form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is proven to help couples conceive in less time.
Give me a call today to learn how you can get on track to better health!
Sources:
http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about-resolve.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11937123
http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/8-ways-to-boost-your-fertility
http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/the-liver-files/