Infertility affects 10 percent of women (6 to 7 million) in the United States. 

 

When starting to think about having kids, fertility truly starts with preconception health. 

 

Some of the nutrients to think about are folate, B12, Vitamin D, thyroid markers, and antioxidant health.  Managing your blood sugar should also be a goal.  Some of the markers used to test your blood sugar are a fasting insulin and glucose as well as your Hemoglobin A1C.

 

Check in with yourself.  How do you feel when you wake up?  Are you stressed, happy, fatigued, ready to start your day?  These are some of the messages your body Is trying to communicate with you. 

 

When your blood sugar is not optimized- which happens if you’re not getting enough sleep, are too stressed, eating too much sugar and refined carbs, aren’t eating the right balance of nutrients, or aren’t eating enough period- it affects your insulin levels.

 

Insulin is that master hormone regulator the director of that hormone orchestra. If insulin is out of whack, it causes an imbalance in other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

 

What’s the best way to keep your blood sugar balanced?

 

• Eat every 2-3 hours

• Consume protein with every small meal, nuts, seeds, meat,

• Get plenty of healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, nut butters, grass fed butter,

• Move your body, walk, lift weights, run, etc 30 minutes per day

• Cut out the alcohol

• Get plenty of sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, the hormone leptin which is the hormone that tells you you’re full will be dysregulated.

 

OPTIMIZE SOME KEY NUTRIENTS FOR MEN AND FOR WOMEN

 

As always, get these nutrient levels checked by your doctor before you start taking them

• Vitamin B12: Found in animal products like meats, fish, eggs, liver, etc.

• Iron: the most absorbable iron comes from red meats like grass fed beef, bison, lamb, and liver

• Folate: lentils, dark leafy greens, asparagus, broccoli, and black and kidney beans

• Vitamin D: Pasture-raised eggs, salmon, grass fed beef liver ( often supplementation is needed)

• Magnesium: Crucial for maintaining over 600 biochemical processes.  Food sources include dark leafy greens, it’s challenging to get enough from food, so taking a nightly supplement.

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Reducing oxidative stressors and inflammation starting with what you’re putting in your body is the number one starting point.  Some of the signs of chronic inflammation are joint pain, eczema, psoriasis, stomach pain, headaches, and mood disorders.

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It is such an emotional rollercoaster when trying to conceive a baby.  Relax.  Take a deep breath, and have faith in the process.