Infertility Treatment: Diet

A healthy diet along with exercise and reduction of stress are critical to creating a friendly environment for fertility. The components of the diet include foods and nutritional supplements that foster fertility. Dr. Robert Greene in Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility, suggests a high link between nutrition and fertility.

Approaches to Nutrition and Fertility

Optimizing fertility through nutrition centers on achieving hormonal balance. Robert Greene, MD has been at the forefront of this approach captured in a set of principles that help achieve this balance through nutrition.

Principle One: Determine your energy needs for fertility based on an assessment of your caloric needs.

Principle Two: Eat Organic foods to minimize intake of chemicals that can be hormone disrupters.

Principle Three: Consume Power Carbs which include on fruit, vegetables and complex sugars

Principle Four: Eat More Fiber and Whole Grains

Principle Five: Intake of healthy fats is preferred to a no-fat diet.

Principle Six: Reduce the amount of animal-based protein and shift to plant-based sources of protein.

Principle Seven: Add nutritional supplements that enhance fertility.

More on Approaches to Nutrition and Fertility

Ideal Foods for Fertility Whole foods are critical to restoring an effective balance for the reproductive systems of female and male bodies. In recent times, we have seen diets become more and more restrictive which has led to depletion of essential nutrients in many of us. Some foods that can be useful additions to the fertility regimen are:

1) Lentils and other iron-rich, plant sources of iron are found to enhance fertility. Some key sources are spinach, beans, soybeans and all types of lentils

2) Olives and other healthy fat sources that are critical for maintaining a healthy reproductive system for men & women. Some key sources include olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. It is important to avoid saturated fats and trans-fats which have been shown to decrease fertility. Healthy fats are encouraged and unhealthy fats should be avoided to create a critical balance in the body.

3) Nuts such as almonds and sunflower seeds also provide healthy oils and monosaturated fats. They can strengthen the reproductive system and boost fertility. Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E which is important for production of healthy sperm. Vitamin E also seems to enhance the sperm’s ability to penetrate the egg. Other sources include tomato paste and turnip greens.

More on Fertility and Ideal Foods

Fertility and Supplements

A variety of minerals and vitamins are essential for promoting fertility. In combination, whole foods and supplements can ensure a diet that : Intake of whole foods is high in minerals and vitamins to ensure that the reproductive system that produces healthy eggs and sperm. Some of these vitamins and minerals include:

• Essential Fatty Acids: These fatty acids are essential to stimulate production of sex hormones. The sources include oily fish, fish liver oils, nuts, seeds, beans and unrefined vegetable oils * Vitamin B6 balances progesterone levels and has been shown to make a difference in women that were having problems getting pregnant.

More on Fertility and Supplements

• Approaches to Nutrition and Fertility
• Fertility and Ideal Foods
• Infertility and Supplements