Nutrition and Infertility
People don't often think that what they eat could be contributing to their fertility problems but it is important to remember that 'the food you eat today 'walks and talks tomorrow'. Every single cell in our body is made from food we have eaten and so the nutrients in food are fundamental to optimum health, fertility and the health of your baby.
It takes the body 3 months to prepare the egg and sperm so the health of your baby is dependent on your diet for at least 3 months prior to conception, and in fact, your nutritional status at the time of conception is the most important factor in the growth of your baby.
A study by University of Surrey showed that couples with a history of infertility who made diet and lifestyle changes and took nutritional supplements had an 80% success rate. The success rate for assisted conception is between 9% and 52%.
Optimising your intake of nutrients and making the right lifestyle choices can dramatically increase your chances of getting pregnant, reduce the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy-related concerns and help prevent post-natal problems such as post-natal depression, which affects 1 in 10 mothers.
Other conditions that can compromise fertility and can be helped by nutrition include:
- PCOS
- Irregular Periods
- Endometriosis + Fibroids
- Hormone Imbalance
- Stress
- Over or under weight
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Age - i.e. if over 35 years