Caffeinated Products
* Higher levels of caffeine on the range of 300 mg and more a day have shown to be associated with lower fertility rates. What is 300 mg of caffeine? About 3 cups of coffee. Each cup of coffee is equivalent to approximately 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeinated soda drinks (which should be avoided anyway) such as Coke and Mountain Dew contain around 50 to 80 mg of caffeine per 20 oz bottle. Avoid the caffeine altogether if you can... if you need your fix, just make sure you are monitoring your intake and not exceeding 200 mg of caffeine a day at the most.
High Sugar Foods, Carbonated Soft-drinks and Pasteurized Juice
* High concentrations of sugars in very sweet products (e.g. candy bars, pastries), sodas and pasteurized juices have a negative effect on fertility. Simple sugars cause an abrupt spike in blood sugar levels and subsequently insulin. This causes the hormonal balance in the body to get thrown off. It is also important to avoid artificial sweetener especially aspartame but also Splenda (sucralose). You may use alternatives such as maple syrup, agave nectar, stevia and honey.
Alcohol
* Studies have shown that alcohol decreases fertility in women, with it being decreased as much as 60% by consuming two drinks a day. It's always been known to avoid drinking WHILE pregnant but many are unaware that drinking during the period of time while trying to conceive may inhibit your ability to get pregnant in the first place. If you were planning on getting pregnant you were planning on not drinking... you should plan on this alcohol abstinence early. Men should avoid alcohol as well because it decreases sperm count.
Cigarettes & Smoking
* Fertility rates are shown to be decreased by smoking for not only women but when their male partners do as well. So if you are trying to maximize your odds of pregnancy make sure not only the potential mother is smoke-free but also the potential father.
Soy Foods
* Soy has been researched and documented to mimic the effects of estrogen within the body. Your body perceives these molecules as estrogen and being that your body's hormonal system is regulated on how much perceived estrogen is in your system, this can cause hormonal swings and imbalances that contribute to lower fertility. Avoid those processed soy foods including soy milk, soy burgers/patties, soy cheeses, soy protein powders... you get the point. Men as well as women are affected by soy.
Foods from Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMO )
* GMO's or genetically modified organisms are humans attempt to use nature to manipulate nature and has resulted in some emerging health consequences. It has been strongly suspected that fertility rates are decreased with the increase of GMO foodstuffs in one's diet. Avoid eating GMO food and research these commonly modified foods and ingredients. Look for the Non-GMO label on relevant products.
Fat-Free Foods
* Fat-free foods are processed to remove the fat content, in the 'process' the simple sugar content is usually increased, once again resulting in spikes of blood sugar and hormonal cascades leading to imbalance and ultimately decreased fertility. We once again want to avoid processed foods but more importantly we must understand that fats are the major components of the hormones that are regulating fertility. Harvard studies showed that women who consumed full fat dairy products as opposed to the other study group who consumed fat-free dairy had higher fertility rates. The proof is in the pudding so to speak ; )
* Higher levels of caffeine on the range of 300 mg and more a day have shown to be associated with lower fertility rates. What is 300 mg of caffeine? About 3 cups of coffee. Each cup of coffee is equivalent to approximately 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeinated soda drinks (which should be avoided anyway) such as Coke and Mountain Dew contain around 50 to 80 mg of caffeine per 20 oz bottle. Avoid the caffeine altogether if you can... if you need your fix, just make sure you are monitoring your intake and not exceeding 200 mg of caffeine a day at the most.
High Sugar Foods, Carbonated Soft-drinks and Pasteurized Juice
* High concentrations of sugars in very sweet products (e.g. candy bars, pastries), sodas and pasteurized juices have a negative effect on fertility. Simple sugars cause an abrupt spike in blood sugar levels and subsequently insulin. This causes the hormonal balance in the body to get thrown off. It is also important to avoid artificial sweetener especially aspartame but also Splenda (sucralose). You may use alternatives such as maple syrup, agave nectar, stevia and honey.
Alcohol
* Studies have shown that alcohol decreases fertility in women, with it being decreased as much as 60% by consuming two drinks a day. It's always been known to avoid drinking WHILE pregnant but many are unaware that drinking during the period of time while trying to conceive may inhibit your ability to get pregnant in the first place. If you were planning on getting pregnant you were planning on not drinking... you should plan on this alcohol abstinence early. Men should avoid alcohol as well because it decreases sperm count.
Cigarettes & Smoking
* Fertility rates are shown to be decreased by smoking for not only women but when their male partners do as well. So if you are trying to maximize your odds of pregnancy make sure not only the potential mother is smoke-free but also the potential father.
Soy Foods
* Soy has been researched and documented to mimic the effects of estrogen within the body. Your body perceives these molecules as estrogen and being that your body's hormonal system is regulated on how much perceived estrogen is in your system, this can cause hormonal swings and imbalances that contribute to lower fertility. Avoid those processed soy foods including soy milk, soy burgers/patties, soy cheeses, soy protein powders... you get the point. Men as well as women are affected by soy.
Foods from Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMO )
* GMO's or genetically modified organisms are humans attempt to use nature to manipulate nature and has resulted in some emerging health consequences. It has been strongly suspected that fertility rates are decreased with the increase of GMO foodstuffs in one's diet. Avoid eating GMO food and research these commonly modified foods and ingredients. Look for the Non-GMO label on relevant products.
Fat-Free Foods
* Fat-free foods are processed to remove the fat content, in the 'process' the simple sugar content is usually increased, once again resulting in spikes of blood sugar and hormonal cascades leading to imbalance and ultimately decreased fertility. We once again want to avoid processed foods but more importantly we must understand that fats are the major components of the hormones that are regulating fertility. Harvard studies showed that women who consumed full fat dairy products as opposed to the other study group who consumed fat-free dairy had higher fertility rates. The proof is in the pudding so to speak ; )
About the Author:
Want to find out more about fertility, then visit Scott McLeod's site to learn about the role of follicle stimulating hormone.
0 comments:
Post a Comment