Striving4Zen

Eating the right foods can counter ovulatory infertility.

A Diet for Fertility

Recent findings from the Nurses’ Health Study, a long-term investigation, suggest that the right foods can counter ovulatory infertility, which prevents conception in one-quarter of couples or more. For example, women who eat “slow carbs,” or carbohydrates with a low glycemic index (GI) that burn more slowly in the body, have greater success getting pregnant. If you’re looking to start a family, add more brown rice and whole grains to your diet.

Many nutritionists believe that iron-rich foods (apricots, clams, prunes, shrimp, and tofu) can enhance fertility. Research suggests that women with low iron reserves are less likely to conceive.

Healthy fats can help too. The Nurses’ Health Study finds that a high intake of polyunsaturated fat provides some protection against ovulatory infertility in women with high intakes of iron. Also, one or two daily servings of full-fat dairy seem to improve fertility, while skim and low-fat choices don’t. “The most potent fertility food in the dairy case,” report researchers analyzing data from the Nurses’ Health Study, “is whole milk, followed by ice cream.”

Just go easy on red meat: Ovulatory infertility is 39% higher in women whose diets are highest in animal protein. Consuming more plant protein improves the likelihood of conception, so add more beans and other legumes to your diet.

While this “fertility diet” doesn’t guarantee pregnancy any more than in vitro fertilization or other kinds of assisted reproduction do, it’s available to everyone. Equally important, eating right sets the stage for a healthy pregnancy and motherhood.

Consider Organic

Environmental toxins like pesticides have been found to be detrimental to reproductive health. Parabens (synthetic preservatives in personal care products and pharmaceuticals as well as foods) have been linked specifically to low sperm count and motility.

Largely thin-skinned produce that doesn’t need peeling, the following fruits and vegetables tend to have the highest levels of harmful pesticides. Choose organic whenever possible and especially when you’re trying to conceive (and when you succeed): *apples * celery * cherries * grapes (imported) * lettuce * nectarines * peaches * pears * potatoes * spinach * strawberries * sweet bell peppers.

SOURCE

Labels: fertility, healthy diet, healthy fats, iron, Nurses' Health Study, organic food, polyunsaturated fat, Whole grains