Fertility Boosting Foods
Fertility Boosting Foods For women who are trying to conceive, here are a list of foods that can support fertility. Raspberries Not only do raspberries register as the lowest fruit on the glycemic index, they are also extremely beneficial for boosting fertility in men and women. They contain high levels of Vitamin C (key in sperm health) and Magnesium (key in production of testosterone). Raspberries also protect sperm from oxidative stress. For women, antioxidants can decrease the risk of miscarriage and is great source of folate which is important in embryo development. Pineapple Core Is this a myth true? We don’t know. Will it hurt? No. The active enzyme in pineapple is bromelain, which is more concentrated in the core of the pineapple. Bromelain is said to decrease inflammation in the body. The prescription is one whole pineapple cut into 5 portions consumed the day after you’ve had timed intercourse, an IUI or an IVF transfer for the next 5 days. Avocado Scientists believe that monounsaturated fats can increase fertility by decreasing inflammation in the body. Other sources of monounsaturated fats are olive oil, sunflower oil, nuts and seeds. In addition, the avocado also promotes regular ovulation. Poultry Chinese medicine categorizes herbal medicine and foods by taste, temperature, property and indication. Poultry has an interesting relationship with the uterus in that it tonifies the organ, thereby creating an upward energy. This is instrumental in implantation and your first trimester, since a downward motion of Qi or energy in the uterus could result in miscarriage. Chinese practitioners worldwide recommend eating poultry (turkey, chicken and duck) daily after ovulation and timed intercourse. They also say that eating it before is contraindicated (during the Follicular Phase) because, “You don’t want to close the gate”. Protein From a Chinese medicine point of view, this is key in fertility and pregnancy since protein bring blood and essence to the body. From a Western point of view, they are the building blocks of life and play a huge role in brain development of the unborn fetus. Proteins like fish, eggs and pork are wonderful for enhancing fertility, as is red meats like lamb and beef. The latter two should be less frequent though, because they have a tendency to cause inflammation in the body. Complex Carbs Eat more complex (slow) carbs and limit highly processed (simple) carbs. Your body digests simple carbs (cookies, cakes, white bread and pasta) quickly, and turns them into blood sugar, which then creates a surge of insulin. High insulin levels appear to inhibit ovulation. Besides, simple carbs also create inflammation, can reek havoc on the thyroid (AKA the 3rd ovary), mess with the digestion and cause disorder for all hormones, especially the lutenizing hormone. Complex carbs are digested slowly and have a more gradual effect on blood sugar and insulin. Barely refined grains are superb sources of fertility-friendly B vitamins, vitamin E, and fiber. Some of our favorites are buckwheat, which contains d-chiro-inositol, a compound that improves ovulation and amaranth, millet and quinoa.
Four foods for FERTILITY!
Four foods for FERTILITY! Four foods that are not to be overlooked that will support and assist your journey to parenthood! Raspberries Not only do raspberries register as the lowest fruit on the glycemic index, they are also extremely beneficial for boosting fertility in men and women! They contain high levels of Vitamin C (key in sperm health) and Magnesium (key in production of testosterone). Raspberries also protect sperm from oxidative stress. For women, antioxidants can decrease the risk of miscarriage and is great source of folate which is important in embryo development. Pineapple core Is this myth true? We don’t know. Will it hurt? We don’t think so… the active enzyme in pineapple is bromelain, which is more concentrated in the core of the pineapple. Bromelain is said to decrease inflammation in the body. So to us, it does make sense. On some level that’s what acupuncture is doing anyway! The prescription is one whole pineapple cut into 5 portions consumed the day after timed intercourse, IUI or IVF transfer for the next 5 days. Avocado An avocado a day… doesn’t keep the doctor away, hopefully it ends up with a doctor’s appointment. The scientists believe that monounsaturated fats, which are well known both to the heart, can increase fertility by decreasing inflammation in the body. Again, isn’t that what acupuncture is doing? Other sources of monounsaturated fats are olive oil, sunflower oil, nuts and seeds. Stick to the avocado though, we think it’s more bang for your buck. Poultry Chinese medicine categorizes herbs and nutrition by taste, temperature, property, meridians it enters and indication. Poultry has an interesting relationship with the uterus in that it tonifies this organ, thereby creating an upward energy. This is instrumental in implantation and your first trimester, since a downward motion of Qi in the uterus could indicate miscarriage. Chinese practitioners worldwide recommend eating poultry (turkey, chicken and duck) daily after ovulation and timed intercourse. Aside from nutritional guidelines, acupuncture for fertility is what most of our patients come to us for. Check out our Fertility page and Video for more information. Or email me with any questions you may have! In Health, Christina Martin christina@berkeley-acupuncture.com Tao to Wellness
THE 5 foods that can boost your FERTILITY!
THE 5 foods that can boost your FERTILITY! There is so much information out there about which foods hold the most magic when it comes to fertility. The real answer is eat a balanced, high protein, low carb (no processed food) diet. And, don’t skimp on the fat! These 5 do seem to get a lot of press (surprised pineapple isn’t on here) and I do believe they are good for you, so why not, go for it! AVOCADO The fruit is high in monounsaturated fats, which could improve fertility. One study found that women who ate the highest amount of these healthy nutrients while undergoing IVF therapy had triple the success rate of those who ate the lowest. SUNFLOWER SEEDS Take down a handful three times a week. Rich in zinc, the little suckers can help balance the reproductive hormones that lead to high-quality human eggs. CINNAMON The spice has insulin-reducing powers and may help increase your ovulation rate. Sprinkle it into your smoothies. EGGS Eat ’em in poached or soft-boiled form (no scrambling!) twice a week. Keeping the yolks runny (like the French do) preserves their vitamin D and B6 content, both of which spur the production of progesterone, a hormone necessary for pregnancy. BUT, be sure they are top notch, organic, no antibiotic, pastured, the whole nine yards! BUCKWHEAT The seed is rich in compounds that help lower insulin and testosterone levels, a process that can enhance ovulation. Cook up a quarter cup to eat with dinner three times a week. Comment on Facebook… what do all these foods have in common? Christina “Mei Wen” Martin, L.Ac., Dipl.AC, MTOM, FABORM. christina@berkeley-acupuncture.com Christina Martin is the founder of Tao to Wellness. She is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and Teacher and has been in practice for fifteen years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine. Christina loves working with all types of patients, but has a special love for helping couples get pregnant.
