Natural Medicine Overland Park, KS

If you or someone you know is having a difficult time getting pregnant, you may have heard that certain foods may either enhance or decrease your chances of pregnancy. For years there has been a gap on critical information involving diet and fertility. After an eight-year study on more than 18,000 women, evidenced based suggestions have been revealed for improving fertility with diet.  The “Fertility Diet” has been created after comprehensive examination of the effect of diet and fertility. According to Harvard Health (https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/follow-fertility-diet), this diet is aimed to prevent and reverse ovulatory infertility, which is responsible for more than a quarter of all infertility cases.

It is important to note that this diet does not replace any conversations that should take place between you and your fertility specialists. Nor will this diet aid in infertility due to physical disorders. This diet does not guarantee pregnancy however it establishes healthy habits and sets the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and motherhood.

The following are dietary tips that may improve fertility:

Use more unsaturated oils. Add more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats into your diet. These fats are heart healthy, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces inflammation, all of which are helpful for fertility. Foods high in unsaturated fats include nuts, seeds, salmon, sardines, and avocados.

Avoid trans and saturated fats. These fats are found mostly in processed and fried foods. These fats are known to increase inflammation, and harm the heart and blood vessels.

Plants, plants, plants. Turn to plants for iron and protein. Replacing red meat with high protein plants such as tofu, beans, peas, soybeans, and nuts promote good health and may promote fertility. Adequate iron is important for fertility. Obtaining extra iron from plants is also very beneficial for mother and baby. The following plants are high in iron, whole-grain cereals, spinach, beans, pumpkin, and beets.

Choose whole carbs, not no carbs. Whole carbohydrates digest slowly in the body, and are rich in fiber. Choose to eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans, rather than simple, easily digested carbohydrates. Whole grains also help to control blood sugar levels and insulin levels.

Water is life. Staying hydrated is very important for fertility. Water is the best beverage for staying hydrated. Other beverages such as coffee, tea, and alcohol should be enjoyed in moderate portions. Soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages should be limited.

Take a multivitamin. A multivitamin or prenatal vitamin will provide the appropriate amount of nutrients to promote positive effects on fertility. Folic acid, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids have shown to be particularly important for enhancing fertility.

Get moving. Exercise not only helps to maintain a healthy weight, but it also helps to keep mom-to-be physically healthy and ready for the next 9 months.

Maintain a healthy weight. Weighing too much or too little can affect normal menstrual cycles. Maintaining a healthy weight for your body is important to support fertility.

Infertility can be a difficult subject to discuss, let alone go through. Though there are a lot of different factors that affect fertility. However, making these lifestyle changes may help improve fertility. If you are dealing with fertility issues, consider consulting with a doctor of natural medicine Overland Park KS you can trust at in2GREAT Integrative Health, who can help assess your needs