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.
Pasteurized Juice, Sodas and Sugar
* Highly concentrated simple sugars like those found in soft-drinks, candy and pasteurized juices have a bad impact on conception rates. These sugars cause an elevated amount of sugars in the blood, causing insulin spikes and then other repercussions in the hormonal balance. Avoid artificial sweeteners like Splenda (sucralose) or aspartame especially. You may use safe alternatives such as stevia, agave nectar, honey and maple syrup.
Alcohol Consumption
* Current studies on alcohol and fertility rates show that women drinking two alcoholic drinks per day contribute to a significant ( 60% ) decrease in fertility. You may have thought not to drink during pregnancy but if you're having problems conceiving you may just want to give up 'the bottle' early. Men should also avoid alcohol as it decreases sperm count. It may entice men to know that alcohol lowers testosterone levels and increases estrogen levels.
Cigarettes and General 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 Products
* Research shows that soy is an estrogen analog. In other words, your body will perceive soy as estrogen and try to counterbalance its hormone levels in response. This can obviously affect the delicate hormonal balance we want to achieve in fertility riddled individuals. Avoid processed soy foods such as soy milk, burgers, cheeses, protein powders... you catch my drift. Men are also affected hormonally by soy.
GMO Derived Foods
* Genetically modified organisms uses bacterial DNA to create modifications of a natural organisms characteristics and expression. Although a marvel in science, it is being shown more and more that there are unforeseen consequences of this unperfected science. Avoid GMO food and look for the GMO free label on relevant products. Research common GMO foods.
Fat Free Food
* 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.
Pasteurized Juice, Sodas and Sugar
* Highly concentrated simple sugars like those found in soft-drinks, candy and pasteurized juices have a bad impact on conception rates. These sugars cause an elevated amount of sugars in the blood, causing insulin spikes and then other repercussions in the hormonal balance. Avoid artificial sweeteners like Splenda (sucralose) or aspartame especially. You may use safe alternatives such as stevia, agave nectar, honey and maple syrup.
Alcohol Consumption
* Current studies on alcohol and fertility rates show that women drinking two alcoholic drinks per day contribute to a significant ( 60% ) decrease in fertility. You may have thought not to drink during pregnancy but if you're having problems conceiving you may just want to give up 'the bottle' early. Men should also avoid alcohol as it decreases sperm count. It may entice men to know that alcohol lowers testosterone levels and increases estrogen levels.
Cigarettes and General 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 Products
* Research shows that soy is an estrogen analog. In other words, your body will perceive soy as estrogen and try to counterbalance its hormone levels in response. This can obviously affect the delicate hormonal balance we want to achieve in fertility riddled individuals. Avoid processed soy foods such as soy milk, burgers, cheeses, protein powders... you catch my drift. Men are also affected hormonally by soy.
GMO Derived Foods
* Genetically modified organisms uses bacterial DNA to create modifications of a natural organisms characteristics and expression. Although a marvel in science, it is being shown more and more that there are unforeseen consequences of this unperfected science. Avoid GMO food and look for the GMO free label on relevant products. Research common GMO foods.
Fat Free Food
* 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:
Learn more about fertility pathways. Stop by Scott McLeod's site where you can find out all about follicle stimulating hormone and what it can do for you.
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