Infertility and Nutrition
Continuing with the theme regarding infertility, I had friend Karen Wright answer some questions regarding treating infertility with a nutritional approach. As a naturopath and health coach in New York Karen has seen it all.
1) If a woman was struggling with infertility, what would be the first step nutritionally?
Every person’s body is different and has different nutritional needs and stressors. For someone struggling with infertility, whether female or male, the first nutritional step would be to determine what are their body’s food stressors. If a person is eating foods they have sensitivity to the gut lining can become damaged and nutrients will not be absorbed. An elimination diet can help identify the damaging foods. The foods many people tend to be sensitive to are wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, sugar and corn. The foods consumed most often also tend to cause sensitivities. Foods that people are sensitive to weaken their body and disrupt normal processes. Pick foods from either those most eaten or the general tendency group and eliminate them from the diet for a 14 day period and then slowly reintroduce the foods one at a time back into the diet with a break of 3 days before introducing another eliminated food. If after 14 days you are still sensitive to the food your body will give you a sign that you can recognize. If it is a delayed sensitivity the sign can be a few days after the food is eaten. Any foods which show up should be completely eliminated from the diet. There are many processed foods that contain dairy, corn and soy. The only way to ensure that the foods are actually being eliminated is by reading the labels. Don’t assume because the food is from a health food store the ingredients are good.
Another important first step to take would be to stop eating genetically modified foods such as corn, soy, and rapeseed (canola oil). Studies have shown the link to infertility and GMO foods. More information about GMOs can be found at: http://www.gmo-compass.org. On the “care2make a difference” website there is an article about “GM Foods & Reproductive Health” that has some additional information. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/gm-foods-reproductive-health.html
2) Are there foods or supplements that help get a woman’s body ready for conception?
Strengthening the gut is important for preparing the woman’s body for conception. The GAPs diet is a good diet to follow for preconception and during pregnancy. http://www.gapsdiet.com. Probiotics and prebiotics will help create a good environment for the fetus. A good probiotic would be kept in the refrigerator and have a multiple spectrum of bacteria. The baby inherits the bacteria of its gut from the mother. If the mother has a lot of good bacteria the baby will start off life with a healthy gut. The specific nutrients to increase are A, D, E, K2 and omega-3. The sources of these nutrients are organ meats, wild fish, butter from pastured raised cows, dark leafy green vegetables, cod liver oil, eggs from pasture raised chickens, nuts and lacto fermented foods. If you decide to take supplements to accomplish this make sure they are from whole foods and not synthetic.
Keeping well hydrated with water helps many body processes. Water is involved in many of the chemical reactions in the body and plays a key role in the ability to remove toxins.
3) Can you explain how Nutrition Response TestingSM that you specialize in works?
Nutrition Response TestingSM is a quick non invasive way to determination stressors to the nervous system. The nervous system is connected to all organ systems in the body because of this any stressors to the nervous system will affect the body’s ability to heal itself. Nutrition Response TestingSM not only can identify stressors but also the specific body support needed to remove the stressor. Once the stressor is handled the body is able to heal itself. Some of the stressors identified are food sensitivities, heavy metals, chemicals, parasites, virus, bacteria and scars. When something is placed on the body that is not good for it the body will get weak and with the correct support that weak condition will become strong.
4) Are there things you would avoid if you were having trouble conceiving?
Besides GMO food which I mentioned earlier, I would avoid caffeine. Some of you reading this are thinking I need my cup of coffee. If you are drinking the coffee for energy then replacing it with protein will help. Protein is very important for the first meal of the morning. By getting the right amount of protein first thing in the morning you will have energy for the rest of the day. If you don’t get the right amount of protein for your first meal the body does not allow catch-up by eating a good source of protein later on. Try this experiment. Eat a plain bagel for breakfast and see how your energy is for the entire day. The next day eat a high protein breakfast and see the difference.
5) If someone wants to further this conversation, where can they find you?
I can be reached by phone 917-566-5831 or sending an e-mail to me, Karen Wright at healthWright@verizon.net. I also have a website called www.HealthWright.info. My practice is located in Brooklyn but I have been known to travel for that special client.