Vitamins for fertility

Introduction

If you're trying to get pregnant, you might have heard about the role of L-carnitine in fertility. Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid that our bodies use to transport fatty acids into cells for energy production. It's also found in red meat and poultry, but getting enough from food alone would require eating almost double the recommended daily amount of protein—hardly an easy feat! As such, many supplements with carnitine pills as part of their healthy lifestyle regimen or in hopes of improving fertility. However, there's conflicting evidence about whether taking L-carnitine supplements improves your chances of conceiving compared with not taking any supplements at all. So let's examine some of the research on this topic so far:

Can L-carnitine help with infertility?

● L-carnitine is a vitamin-like compound that occurs naturally in foods like meat, fish and dairy.

● It's been advocated to support fertility by increasing energy levels, improving exercise tolerance and reducing fatigue.

● A review of the evidence suggests that it may have some role in improving egg quality for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What is L-carnitine?

L-carnitine is an amino acid that's made in the liver, kidneys, and brain.

It helps to convert fat into energy. It also helps to keep blood pressure under control, which can be important for your fertility health.

Does L-carnitine cause side effects?

L-carnitine is a natural substance that's found in many foods. It may help your body make energy, but too much may cause side effects.

L-carnitine isn't safe for everyone. Don't take it if you're pregnant, and don't use it to prevent heart disease or stroke. Don't give l-carnitine supplements to children younger than 2 years old without medical advice.

Call your doctor if you have side effects from l-carnitine, such as vomiting or diarrhea that won't stop after taking medicine for them, or liver problems like jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

How much L-carnitine should you take?

The recommended daily allowance for L-carnitine is about 1 gram per day, with an upper limit of 3 grams per day. However, it's unclear whether this recommendation is appropriate for people who are trying to conceive or pregnant.

If you're going to take more than the recommended daily requirement of L-carnitine and you're not pregnant yet, talk to your doctor first.

Some research suggests that carnitine supplements may increase your chances of getting pregnant, but other studies have had conflicting results Carnitine is a substance that plays a vital role in metabolism and fat breakdown. It's naturally found in red meat and dairy products. Your body makes some carnitine, but you can also get it from your diet or take a supplement to boost egg quality and improve sperm motility (the ability of sperm to move).

Conclusion

We hope you've found this article helpful in understanding how vitamins for fertility can help you get pregnant. If you're looking for more information on the topic, feel free to check out our other blog posts or talk to a fertility coach!

Do You Want to Become a Fertility Coach?

Your connection to the creation of a new life is unlike any other. Women who have been trying to conceive for years may feel like they’ve exhausted every possible option. It’s time for a fresh perspective.

As a fertility coach, you can help couples regain their hope and confidence by guiding them through one of the most challenging times in their lives. You’ll be there to support them through each step of their journey, from conception through pregnancy and beyond.

The best part? You don’t need any special prerequisites to get started! In fact, many fertility coaches are not doctors or nurses — they simply have specialized training in fertility coaching and the desire to help others navigate their infertility journey.

You can start your own fertility coaching business by offering basic services like cycle tracking tools and lifestyle support. Or if you’re interested in going deeper into this field, we recommend that you take our Integrative Fertility Training Coach program and become certified so that you can really understand what it means and have the tools to become a fertility coach.

To get started as a fertility coach, you need to be able to:

Be a good listener. One of the most important skills for a fertility coach is being able to listen well and respond appropriately to what people tell you. You’ll need to hear what they are saying, understand why they are saying it, and give them support and guidance based on that information.

Be perceptive. You’ll also need to be able to notice things about people that others might not see. For instance, if someone says she’s having trouble getting pregnant because her husband doesn’t want kids, but then mentions that he always wants sex at night when she’s tired or stressed out — that might be an important clue that there is more going on than meets the eye!

Be empathetic. Although this goes hand-in-hand with being perceptive, it is worth mentioning separately because empathy is such an important part of being a good fertility coach. Asking the right questions and listening carefully so you can understand what your clients are going through will help you feel their pain and know how best to help them move forward towards their goals (which may include conception or simply getting pregnant.

If you would like to get started sign up for our free workshop and start training today! FREE WORKSHOP

Endometriosis and infertility

Endometriosis and infertility

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is where the tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it. Endometriosis can cause pain, and in some cases, it can cause infertility. Experts aren't sure what causes endometriosis. However, they know genetics plays a role because if you have a close relative with endometriosis—like your mother or sister—your chance of getting it increases. Endometriosis affects millions of women, though many do not even realize it.  

In some cases, this extra tissue may cause infertility by preventing an egg from attaching to the uterine wall or causing scarring on an ovary, preventing eggs from developing correctly. No clear cause for infertility has be found. According to Johns Hopkins, endometriosis affects an estimated 2 to 10 percent of American women between the ages of 25 and 40

Symptoms of endometriosis?

Symptoms of endometriosis may include excessive menstrual cramps, abnormal or heavy menstrual flow, pain during intercourse, and pain during bowel movements. Some women may have no symptoms at all. 

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of endometriosis is typically made using laparoscopy. This is a procedure during which a small telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope is inserted into your abdomen (belly) through a small cut less than an inch long. Through this incision, your doctor can see whether or not you have the disease.

A blood test checks levels of a blood protein known as CA125, a tumor marker for certain gynecological cancers but is also used to detect a specific protein found in the blood of women who have endometriosis.

Does endometriosis cause infertility?

There are a few ways endometriosis can affect your fertility. The first has to do with a woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation: if you're experiencing pain during your period or if you have heavy bleeding that lasts for days at a time, it can be not easy to track when you're ovulating each month. This makes it harder for your partner to know when they should try to get you pregnant.

Not only that—if the tissue in the fallopian tubes becomes scarred from surgery or adhesions (when tissue sticks together), it may not be able to pick up an egg from one of your ovaries! If this happens, there won't be any eggs available for fertilization—and no pregnancy will result.

What treatments can help with fertility if you have endometriosis?

If you want to try and get pregnant but are struggling with endometriosis, your doctor may suggest some of the following treatments:

• Hormone treatments. These medications can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce pain associated with endometriosis. They include birth control pills or contraceptive injections, which contain the hormone progesterone; Danazol (Danocrine), which suppresses a woman's menstrual cycle by halving her levels of estrogen; and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists such as leuprolide acetate (Lupron).

• Surgery. Surgery is usually only recommended for women with severe symptoms from their condition that haven't responded well to other treatments. The goal of surgery is to remove all visible endometrial growths and lessen any scar tissue that might be present in the pelvis. Surgery should always be taken seriously because there are risks involved—but if your doctor thinks this will help make it possible for you to conceive naturally, they may recommend having one done at some point down the road.

Can diet help with endometriosis treatment?

Endometriosis, as you may know, is a condition in which endometrial cells are found outside of the uterus. As such, it can cause pelvic pain and infertility. There has been some research on diet and endometriosis treatment—but not nearly enough! Instead, most studies have focused on pain management.

However, some promising findings are that eating a healthy diet can help with many aspects of the disease:

• Eating foods rich in vitamin D may reduce inflammation and help relieve pain caused by endometriosis. Vitamin D also helps with fertility by improving your body's immune system.* Eating antioxidant-rich foods like berries and vegetables will enhance your immune system's ability to fight infections like colds or flu that can cause menstrual cramps. Eating more whole grains instead of refined carbohydrates like white bread or pasta will lower your risk for type 2 diabetes (which increases endometriosis).

Is yoga good for endometriosis?

Yoga is a great way to help manage your endometriosis.

Yoga can be helpful for many health issues, including back pain and stress. Yoga can also help with insomnia, depression, anxiety, and infertility.

Yoga is an ancient practice that uses breathing techniques and poses (asanas) to calm the mind and body so you can relax deeply enough to move past physical or mental blocks that prevent you from being in touch with your true self at a deeper level than everyday daily life allows.

Endometriosis doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be able to get pregnant. You can take steps to improve your chances of getting pregnant, whether you've been diagnosed with endometriosis or not.

• Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that usually lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.

• It can cause infertility, but it does not necessarily mean you will be infertile.

• You can do many things to improve your chances of getting pregnant, even if you have endometriosis or don't know whether or not you do.

Conclusion

If you have endometriosis and are trying to conceive, there is hope. Treatments are available to help manage pain and discomfort. However, you should talk with your doctor about treatment options before trying to get pregnant because it can be difficult for some women with this condition to conceive.

High Blood Pressure: Risks, Causes, Treatments - WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/high-blood-pressure

Endometriosis Diagnosis | UCSF Health. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/endometriosis/diagnosis

Endometriosis | Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/endometriosis

Nutrients that Boost Your Fertility

NUTRIENTS THAT BOOST FERTILITY 

We anxiously wait for monthly visits from Aunt Flo, doubtful (even though there shouldn't be) about our methods of contraception. However, this time it is reversed. After keeping track of ovulation, taking the correct medication, and perhaps countless blood tests, we eagerly wait for our pregnancy test to come back positive. 

For some of us, pregnancy and childbirth are the ultimate life goal. 

Those of us who struggle with fertility are aware that it is an uphill battle to achieve pregnancy. We try countless methods, procedures to increase the chances of a positive pregnancy test. 

A vital factor that we may often overlook is our diet and nutrition. A healthy balanced diet is the basis of good health. Food influences various elements of our health. And since we control what we consume, we have the power to stir our health in the correct direction. For instance, excessive intake of highly refined carbohydrates can result in insulin resistance, which increases the risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), diabetes type 2, and cardiac diseases. For this reason, altering dietary habits plays a crucial role in PCOS treatment. Another example will be the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet. Following this diet long-term is known to reduce the risk of cardiac diseases, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. 

Does this mean certain nutrients have the power to boost our fertility? Yes, of course! For our ancestors, nutrition was probably the key to fertility(and likely contraception as well). They will probably cook up various concoctions of herbs and plants that require a complex method of consumption. But don't worry, we are not heading towards that indefinite direction. We won't be needing rare ingredients to knock together a pot of medicinal goo. Instead, in this modern era, there are multiple nourishing foods available to us. And to make things even easier, supplements too. 

Omega-3 fatty acids 

Omega 3s are powerful antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. They are famously known for preventing heart diseases. But a lesser-known fact about omega 3s is that it prevents ovarian aging and improves the quality of eggs; this will be particularly beneficial for women over 35 looking to conceive. Research also reveals that these antioxidants are also supportive of women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. Omega 3 rich foods are seafood (salmon, mackerel, oysters, etc.), avocados, spinach, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and many more. Cod liver oil supplements also contain high concentrations of omega 3s, including vitamin D and A. 

Vitamin D 

This sunshine vitamin is popular for maintaining bone health. But it also promotes female reproductive health. Research shows that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for reduced fertility and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Vitamin D also plays a vital role in the treatment of menstrual disorders such as PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. And the effective

treatment of these disorders will improve ovulation and fertility. Foods abundant in vitamin D are mushrooms, red meat, eggs, fortified food (cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, milk), and oily fish. 

Complex carbohydrates 

These carbs consist of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. These carbs contain ample dietary fiber and are slowly digested. 

Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that is rich in good quality protein, vitamin B, C, E, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron. This mighty grain contains all the necessary nutrients required for reproductive health, such as folic acid, iron, and vitamin E. Buckwheat is a plant cultivated for its grain-like seeds. This 'undercover' cereal contains d-chiro-inositol, a compound that improves ovulation. Berries are a powerhouse of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, arugula) are also known to improve ovulation. 

So far we have discussed foods to enjoy, to increase their intake. But that does not mean that we take anything else in excess. Moderation is the focus here. Therefore, reduce alcohol intake, avoid highly refined carbohydrates, sugar, or saturated fats. Try to avoid soy foods as well. These foods contain phytoestrogens, which interferes with the estrogen levels in the body. 

There are many elements present to boost fertility. And nutrition is one of the cornerstones. So, ladies, let us evaluate what is on our plates today. Let's initiate dietary changes, plan out our meals, and be mindful of what we consume.

REFERENCES 

1) Pilz, S., Zittermann, A., Obeid, R., Hahn, A., Pludowski, P., Trummer, C., Lerchbaum, E., Pérez-López, F. R., Karras, S. N., & März, W. (2018). The Role of Vitamin D in Fertility and during Pregnancy and Lactation: A Review of Clinical Data. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(10), 2241. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102241 

2) Voulgaris N, Papanastasiou L, Piaditis G, Angelousi A, Kaltsas G, Mastorakos G, Kassi E. Vitamin D and aspects of female fertility. Hormones (Athens). 2017 Jan;16(1):5-21. doi: 10.14310/horm.2002.1715. PMID: 28500824. 

3) Nehra D, Le HD, Fallon EM, Carlson SJ, Woods D, White YA, Pan AH, Guo L, Rodig SJ, Tilly JL, Rueda BR, Puder M. Prolonging the female reproductive lifespan and improving egg quality with dietary omega-3 fatty acids. Aging Cell. 2012 Dec;11(6):1046-54. doi: 10.1111/acel.12006. Epub 2012 Oct 19. PMID: 22978268; PMCID: PMC5624332. 

4) Chiu YH, Karmon AE, Gaskins AJ, Arvizu M, Williams PL, Souter I, Rueda BR, Hauser R,Chavarro JE; EARTH Study Team. Serum omega-3 fatty acids and treatment outcomes amongwomen undergoing assisted reproduction. Hum Reprod. 2018 Jan 1;33(1):156-165. doi:10.1093/humrep/dex335. PMID: 29136189; PMCID: PMC5850735.

Is your cookware and carpet causing your infertility??

PFOA and PFOS are found in items ranging from cookware to carpeting and provide resistance to soil or stains. PFOA is a suspected endocrine disruptor and possible carcinogen, and PFOS has been linked to fertility challenges...

Read the full article here

Are plastics messing with your fertility?

7 Ways Plastics Damage the Body

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.

Plastics (or the chemical name, phthalates) are now considered the number one pollutant in the human body. They make products flexible, durable, and these chemicals are also in items you would not considerto be plastics, like pesticides, detergents, cosmetics,medications, or your shampoo. They are found everywhere. It is difficult to completely avoid them.

You can live in the most pristine place on planet earth and still find animals polluted with plastics.

It is an interesting fact that plasticizers are over 10,000 to 1,000,000 times higher in our bodies than any other toxins thathave been found in EPA studies.

Unfortunately once in the body, these plastics do enormous damage.

7 Ways Plastics Damage the Body

1: Phthalates damage the chemistry of fatty acids mostimportantly, the fatty acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). This is the fundamental chemistry necessary for making every cell lining or membrane. These fatty acids are the foundation for brain health including memory and recall.

2: Phthalates can create a zinc deficiency which will compromise the metabolism of vitamins A and B-6. In turn this could lead to conditions such as indigestion, depression, heart disease,cancer, diabetes, and accelerated aging.

As a quick side note the combination of low zinc and low DHA can lead to chronic inflammation. Medical literature has clearly identified chronic inflammation as one of the most common underlying pathologies of most diseases leading to auto-immune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, MS) to cancer and heart disease.

3: Phthalates has been found to be responsible for damaging the pancreas leading to diabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome X.

4: Phthalates has been found to lower sulfation.  This means that you are no longer able to effectively detoxify like you should. This in turn can lead to a whole host of health challenges.

5: Phthalates damage hormone function, especiallythyroid and testosterone.

6: Phthalates can poison the peroxisomes needed for the control of the chemistry of cholesterol. They can cause high cholesterol while at thesame time keep cholesterol from forming the “happyhormones” (neurotransmitters) of the brain.

7: Phthalates can damage the body's ability to makecatalase. Catalase is absolutely essential for devouring up thehydrogen peroxide that cancer cells make to allowthem to metastasize or wildly spread throughout the body. Lack of catalase is a reason why manycancers briefly seem to be in remission aftertreatments, only to resurface months or years later with lethal consequences.

 Compliments from Functional Medicine University www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com

Infertility and BPA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of BPA in products such as baby bottles and sippy cups, but the chemical continues to be used in many other products we use daily. 

Most people have a few cans of beans lying around that contain BPA in the lining of aluminum and tin cans, where it is used to prevent corrosion.

BPA is also is found in thermal paper cash receipts, which are coated with the chemical, and a study has shown increased BPA levels in their urine of those using the reciept printers on a regular basis! 

The chemical BPA can disrupt the hormonal system acting like artificial estrogen which could disrupt the hormonal balance and cause reproductive issues. Unfortunately we don't know what all the detrimental effects of BPA can cause and the exposure is difficult to avoid in today's society where it's use is widespread. According to the CDC in a study they found 93 percent of the US population tested positive for BPA exposure. BPA has even been found in breast milk of nursing mommas.  For long term safety of you and the planet I recommend staying away from BPA containing products and limit your exposure to plastics in general. 

Tips to Reduce your exposure to BPA. (Tips form hazwaste.org) 

The best way to reduce your BPA exposure is to avoid household products that contain BPA.

Food choices:

• Eat fresh and frozen foods instead of foods stored in cans.
• Purchase foods packaged in glass containers, ceramic containers or cardboard brick-shaped cartons. Juice boxes are an example of a cardboard brick-shaped carton. Look on the bottom to see if it was made by Tetra Pak or SIG Combibloc.

Food containers already at home:

• Replace pre-2011 baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles and other hard, clear plastic food storage containers. 3
• Throw away cracked or scratched plastic containers. Recycle them if possible (ask your local recycling program) or put them in garbage.
• Use glass or unlined stainless steel water bottles.
• Keep plastic containers labeled with a 1, 2 or 5; they do not contain BPA or other plastic chemicals of concern.
• Dispose of plastic containers labeled with a 7 inside the recycle symbol. Although not all 7 plastics contain BPA, it’s not easy to tell which contain BPA and which don’t.

Safer practices for food containers made of polycarbonate:

• Use polycarbonate plastic for cold storage and for non-food items.
• Heat food in glass, ceramic or stainless steel containers. In polycarbonate containers, heat leaches more BPA into foods and liquids.
• Wash polycarbonate containers by hand instead of in the dishwasher to prevent scratching. Scratching releases more BPA.

Safer practices for receipts

• Wash your hands after handling receipts
• Consider putting gloves on before handling a lot of receipts

Empowered Fertility: Supporting the emotional struggles of infertility

FREE clinician's guide to Empowered Fertility. Infertility is an emotional journey and it pays to be equipped with the tools to support your clients during these trying times.

I put together this FREE guide to help you support the mental and emotional needs associated with getting pregnant.

Get my Clinician's Guide to Empowered Fertility

Getting pregnant fast...

Time and time again clients come in and tell me they are looking to get pregnant in the next month or so and that they have been trying for years! Now I wish that I could tell the future and say that I knew exactly what to do to but there is just not a magic bullet to get pregnant fast. But what I will tell you is that we can do something to increase the chances of conception as well as create a better environment to house a baby. 

What we do know is that our living conditions and environment can somehow leave an imprint on the genetic material on eggs and sperm which can influence how they are expressed in the world. This could explain why a set of identical twins may develop different disorders such as asthma or bipolar.  The study of the modification of gene expression is called epigenetics. Or as I like to think about it in terms of nature and nurture or yin and yang where your internal environment is just as important as your external environment.

Find out more about what you can do to increase  your success treating fertility clients

Yin and yang and your genetic code....