Fertility Support

These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take medication.

The increased incidents of hormonal issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome in women and lower sperm counts in men, can make having a family a challenge.  Making healthy diet and Lifestyle choices can tip the scales in your favour 😊

A Diet for Optimum Health

• Drink 7-10 glasses of filter or spring water.  Chlorine can interfere with thyroid function and cause hormonal imbalances.
• Shift up to organic.  Pesticides can affect hormones and fertility. 
• Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming. 
• Make fresh fruits, vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, legumes, beans and gluten free wholegrains diet mainstays. 
• Animal products are a source of inflammatory arachidonic acid.  Enjoy sparingly.
• Have proteins at breakfast and lunch for better digestion of amino acids.
• 1-3 tbsp ground flax – lignans can protect the integrity of hormones.
• Keep gluten, caffeine, and alcohol consumption to a minimum.
• Eliminate trans-fats, refined sugar, deep fried or processed foods.
• Cooking at high temperatures generates acrylamides and advanced glycation end products, both associated with PCOS.  Cook gently.

Basic Supplements – To avoid common deficiencies for men and women

• Bio-Strath - provides optimum nutrition from a fermented whole food source.   Promotes good digestion, energy, and improves stress tolerance.
• Vitamin C 500-1,000 mg – helps with ovulation and sperm count.
• Vitamin D 4,000 IU – the need for this vitamin can increase during pregnancy.  We recommend having levels tested.
• Magnesium – a common deficiency with over 300 biochemical functions.
• Omega-3’s  –  promote hormone balance, necessary for Baby’s brain development.
• Probiotics – improves pH, can prevent symptoms of candida and thrush

For Women

• Folate (folic acid) – protects the baby from pesticide and chemical effects and helps prevent birth defects.
• Make red raspberry leaf tea your first choice for a beverage. It can be served hot or cold.  It prepares the body for pregnancy, strengthens the body during pregnancy, eases delivery, and improves milk production when Baby arrives.
• Switch to Certified Organic cotton pads and/or tampons or menstrual cup/disk. Harmful metals like lead and arsenic have been found in traditional brands' products. We love Natracare!

For Men

• Holy Basil helps reduce stress, a major factor in lowered sperm counts.
• Avoid pain killers like Ibuprofen that are linked to male infertility.
• Achieve your ideal weight.     
• Astaxanthin – the most powerful antioxidant known.  Studies show it improves male fertility.  Its anti-inflammatory properties benefit anyone.  

For the Couple

• Maca – hormone balance, can improve sperm quality, and fertility.
• Co Enzyme Q 10 – for women it improves ovarian response and embryo quality - for men Co Q 10 improves sperm motility and related problems.
• Enjoy exercise and fresh air every day.  Breathe deeply, exhale completely.
• Check out Dr Zack Bush 4-minute workout online and perform this simple routine 3-4 times per day.
• “Couples” yoga can be fun and therapeutic.  It helps reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve sleep.  Get some basic instruction from a qualified instructor and practice at home together.
• Avoid endocrine interrupters such as BPA, pesticides, and phthalates found in single use plastics, canned foods that do not state BPA free, feminine products, hair colour, personal care items, cleaning products, etc.

Enjoy the process of building a healthy lifestyle that will benefit you and your child before and after they arrive.

*Revised February 2023