Fertility and food

Fertility - the whole body view

When it comes to trying to conceive there is so much to think about. Being in the best shape both physically and mentally can really help when trying for a baby. That's why in my upcoming course Fertility Yoga course I will be providing you with information from other local experts about how different approaches when trying to conceive can help you - such as acupuncture, reflexology and nutrition.

Here's some really interesting information about food and fertility (in particular sugar). For more information on my six week course Fertility Yoga Course please take a look at the details here.

Fertility and sugar

The role of nutrition in a couples ability to have a healthy, happy baby has long been discussed by fertility experts. There is no magic ingredient that will get you pregnant, but in reality, every part of the diet and the micronutrition within it lays the foundations for a healthy – or not so healthy – egg and sperm.

Fertility experts have come to the conclusion that micronutrients play a big role in getting pregnant – both naturally and through assisted conception – with deficiencies having significant effects on fertility for both men and women. In order to make a mature egg both naturally and for IVF, there is a delicate and complex interplay of reproductive hormones that need to peak and flow throughout the month. And unfortunately for those with a sweet tooth, sugar is a major hormone disruptor and affects blood sugar balance, having a negative impact on this process.

What’s the evidence?

Some studies show that with a lower intake of carbohydrates have links to better IVF success. It is known that eggs and embryos do not thrive in a high glucose environment. In a study presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting last year, IVF patients who switched to a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet and then underwent another cycle increased their blastocyst formation rate from 19% to 45% and their clinical pregnancy rate from 17% to 83%. Even non-IVF patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome have improved pregnancy rates after making this lifestyle change, the study’s author Dr. Russell noted.

Sharon Phelan, MD, from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque said: “Although the blood glucose is not high enough to be in the diabetic range, it is enough to be toxic to the developing blastocyst.”

How does sugar affect fertility?

The term blood sugar relates to the amount of glucose in your blood stream at any one time – which in turn affects your energy levels. An unhealthy diet (one that is high in refined carbohydrates – ie sugars – and saturated fats) leads to blood-sugar imbalance (manifesting as peaks and troughs of energy throughout the day), which in turn has a negative impact on the health of your reproductive system.

First, low blood sugar (which will make you feel lethargic), stimulates the body’s release of stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol). Continued release of stress hormones alters the way in which your body responds to progesterone – which is so important for the proper function of the menstrual cycle.

Second, high blood sugar (that sugar-high burst of energy), when frequent and sustained, causes the body to release the hormone insulin, which aims to get sugar levels under control. The trouble is that if we have too much insulin in our system too frequently, the insulin receptors in the body (some of which are on the ovaries) begin to desensitise, creating a condition called insulin resistance. This is a major risk factor for PCOS and may even directly cause damage to the woman’s eggs.

And there is more: sugar is empty calories which causes weight gain, which converts to fat and ages sperm and egg cells. So keeping blood sugar under control is essential for optimising the chances of pregnancy, whether through IVF or naturally. Optimum nutrition provides a steady supply of blood sugar throughout the day, in order to ensure stable energy levels and stable metabolic processes.

What can you eat?

All this said, I passionately believe that that couples who want to make a baby need to have treats. Who could live without bread, chocolate and sweet treats? Not me!

If you crave chocolate and sweets, I don’t believe that your diet should be about complete denial. So rather than thinking you must cut out all sweet foods, try to think about how you satisfy your need from something sweet. Highly refined white sugar (in cakes, chocolate, biscuits, sweets and so on) has been stripped of all the natural moderators in raw sugar – the nutrients that make the sugar less damaging to the body. So, try to get your sugar fix from naturally sweet sources:

Dried fruits, such as dates, figs or apricots which make wonderful, sweetening additions to stews and desserts; if you want a sweet snack, try a few pieces of dried mango rather than a chocolate bar. Organic maple syrup can not only make a healthier alternative to white sugar, but also contains the nutrients zinc and manganese.

Honey is higher in calories, gram for gram, than refined sugar, but it has healthier components, including B-vitamins – a teaspoon drizzled over granola for breakfast, or used to sweeten desserts, is preferable to refined sugar.

If you usually have sugar in your tea or coffee (bearing in mind you should minimise your intake of caffeine-containing drinks while you’re trying for a baby anyway), don’t be tempted to reach for artificial sweeteners, which are often made using some chemical nasties that can upset your body’s systems. Try instead to adjust your palate, gradually reducing the amount of sugar you use until you’re used to drinking coffee and tea without it.

From Zita West, The IVF Diet.