Acupuncture for Fertility
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natural - effective - holistic
Fertility & Diet
Many women have difficulty getting pregnant despite all kinds of fertility enhancement. Their overall goal is to get pregnant but they cannot control when that happens. The good news is that many of the factors that affect fertility are within your control. Your diet is one important area. Eating well is not only good nourishment but it encourages your body to function properly and enhances your chances of conceiving. Our role is to guide women to create an optimal environment in their bodies – one that helps them achieve pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Eat Whole Grains
Oatmeal, barley, buckwheat, brown rice and other complex carbohydrates are full of fiber and vitamins B and E. Fiber is important because it helps whisk excess hormones safely from the body; it also helps balance the blood sugar. Vitamins B and E are essential for cellular reproduction and the production of healthy eggs and sperm. Processed, bleached foods have been altered or their rich nutrient bases removed, which is not good for producing a viable fetus.
Eat Vegetables and Fruits
Fruits and vegetables should be vibrant in color; they are crucial antioxidant-rich foods. They can provide protection and nourishment during the cycle of an egg, from its primary stage to ovulation, as well as help create a healthy egg that is optimal for conception. Researchers from the University of Murcia have determined that consumption of fruits and vegetables can improve the quality of semen, as fruits and vegetables have a direct impact on sperm morphology, motility and concentration.
Focus on Quality Sources of Protein
Quality protein sources include fresh fish and organic chicken or turkey, as well as tofu, eggs, beans and nuts. Organic protein is free of hormones and antibiotics, which is very helpful for women who have estrogen-dominant conditions. However, avoid eating too much protein. High amounts of protein can interfere with the embryo’s implantation in the uterus, and also increase the body’s acidity. It can also affect sperm activity.
Drink Lots of Water
To maintain adequate hydration, consume at least eight glasses of water every day. Maintaining moisture levels can nourish the fluid around the egg in the follicle, promote sperm’s motility by thinning the cervical mucus, and enrich the fluid in the fallopian tubes and the fluid in the endometrium as it prepares to sustain a fetus. Hydration also helps blood circulation. If you cannot make effective use of the water you drink, Chinese herbal medicine can reinforce the health of your body’s tissue, helping it hold more fluid rather than allowing the water to pass straight through the body.
Avoid Refined Sugar and Processed Sugars
Bottled fruit juices, soda, corn syrup and fructose are full of refined sugar, which can throw off your blood sugar level and make your body resistant to the effects of a normal amount of insulin. Insulin resistance negatively affects proper ovarian function and fertility. High levels of insulin can cause a multitude of problems for women with PCOS. Restricting or eliminating refined sugar and sweets is important because they can play a devastating role in PCOS. Honey is a great alternative sweetener; however, consume it in moderation.
Avoid Consumption of Cold Foods and Iced Drinks
When cold food or drink travels into your stomach, your body warms it up by using extra energy so that your stomach can perform its function properly. This puts more stress on your digestive system. For a long period of time, it also contributes to the depressing of the system and causes your digestion to become fatigued. When this happens, sluggish metabolism causes you to lose the maximum nutritional value from the food you eat. Cold foods and drinks also cause your body temperature to drop and your circulation to slow; when this happens, your pelvic area, uterus, and ovaries cannot maintain their optimal function.
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine has a stimulant effect, which creates stress and anxiety. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the uterus and prevents the embryo from attaching to the uterine wall. Caffeine intake during pregnancy has a negative influence on fetal growth. Consumption of caffeine may increase the risk of blood clotting and cause miscarriage. Additionally, a large study from the Yale Medical School found that as little as one cup of coffee a day can cut one’s chances of conception in half. Although the effects of caffeine on women’s fertility are not definitive, numerous studies recommend that one be cautious in one’s caffeine intake, especially if one is having trouble conceiving or is undergoing IVF.
Avoid Alcohol
Many women avoid alcohol during pregnancy but do not give up alcohol while they are trying to conceive. Studies have found that alcohol not only affects the fetus but significantly impacts fertility for both men and women. Studies from Johns Hopkins University indicated that one alcoholic beverage per week can reduce fertility by about 1/3, and that more than one drink per week could reduce chances of conceiving by over 50 percent. Alcohol also interferes with the efficacy of folic acid, which prevents the risk of having a fetus with a neural tube defect. My recommendation is that you avoid alcohol for at least three months before you try to conceive.
A healthy fertility diet can influence the reserves of nutrients necessary for reproductive hormone systems to work properly. It can also balance the environment that fosters conception.
Success Stories
” I believe that I would never have been able to continue have a normal life without the help of her acupuncture treatment and Chinese herbs” – Cathy W
“Acupuncture and few lifestyle changes helped us to get to where we are today… the proud parents of our precious little girl” – Robin & Clary
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