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| Photo credit: Salad Pasta With Roast Beef, by Naomi Kuwashima |
CAREFUL WITH CAFFEINE
Although research is mixed, I suggest keeping caffeine intake down to a couple of cups of tea or coffee a day — especially men, because caffeine affects the mobility of sperm. (A sperm must flick its tail 800 times to move one millimeter.)
Caffeine is thought by some to delay conception — several studies say women who drink coffee find it three times as difficult to conceive within a year as those not drinking it. So give it up if you can. If you're watching the caffeine during the day and find yourself lacking energy at night, chocolate can be an ally, since it is high in phenylethylamine, which stimulates the production of feelgood and energetic endorphins. Why not indulge in a little good-quality, high cocoa-bean content chocolate therapy?
S IS FOR SELENIUM
Over the past few years, selenium has shot to the forefront of fertility research. Worryingly, selenium levels in European soil, and consequently in most food we eat (vegetables and vegetable-eating animals being its richest dietary sources), are far lower than, for example, in the US. Indeed, in a study of Scottish men, selenium supplements were shown to increase significantly the sperm cells' ability to swim, indicating they had been selenium-deficient.
However, we don't know enough about how much selenium we need in our diet to recommend supplements (although experts think it's about 60 micrograms a day for women and 75 men). So I'd advocate boosting your intake of the most concentrated dietary sources of selenium instead. These include Brazil nuts (254 micrograms per 100g), dried mushrooms (110 micrograms per 100g), lentils (40 micrograms per 100g cooked weight) and tinned tuna (80 micrograms per 100g).
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
Zinc and vitamin C are both linked with fertility and libido, so it's vital to have a well-balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and pulses. Zinc deficiency has been shown to cause low sperm count and mobility, which means eating plenty of fresh figs when they're in season, seafood such as oysters, lean red meat and crumbly cheese such as Wensleydale.
Vitamin C has been found to increase sperm production, thereby improving chances of conception — so think about plenty of freshly-squeezed fruit juices; green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli; and blueberries, kiwis, pomegranates, and the aptly named passion fruit. Cook foods lightly; eat as much raw food as you can, and as quickly after cutting and peeling as possible, to minimize the amount of vitamin C lost on exposure to the air.
FAT IS A FERTILITY ISSUE
The body needs essential fats — omega 3 and omega 6 oils — which are contained in oily fish such as salmon (preferably organic or wild), sardines, fresh tuna (tinned is fine, but contains fewer omega oils), herrings and mackerel, hemp oil, nuts and seeds. They're critical for both female and male fertility, regulating fluidity of cell membranes and allowing cells to function efficiently. Seeds and nuts (wholewheat products such as wholegrain bread, oat biscuits, and porridge are other options) are also rich in vitamin E, good for ensuring a healthy blood supply to the genitals.
Conversely, hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils, trans-fats (in crisps, kinds of margarine — declared on labels, luckily) and saturated fats (in fatty meat and dairy) are to be kept low, as they block the absorption of the essential omega fats.
Full article: TimesOnline.co.uk
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Getting Pregnant the Natural Way(Women's Natural Health)
by D. S. Feingold, Deborah Gordon
-- Are you experiencing infertility?
Written by an authority in complementary medicine, Getting Pregnant the Natural Way is a compassionate guide offers natural approaches to help you now.
Drawing on the benefits of herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutritional therapies, and mind-body medicine - in conjunction with the latest medical therapies, Dr. Deborah Gordon explains the mechanisms of fertility and the possible causes of infertility, then outlines a simple six-step program to help you:
• Prepare your body, mind, and spirit for pregnancy
• Prevent, control, or reverse conditions impairing fertility
• Improve your overall feelings of health and well-being
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Create balance in your life
Uniquely created from a woman's perspective, Getting Pregnant the Natural Way offers support, wisdom, and hope for you to reach your goal of a healthy pregnancy.
Paperback: 272 pagesClick to order/for more info: Getting Pregnant the Natural Way
Start reading Getting Pregnant the Natural Way on your Kindle in under a minute! Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
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| Lorien's Man Pills, by Robin DeGrassi James |
Smoking generates massive amounts of free radicals, so smokers are especially vulnerable to sperm damage.
They need at least twice as much dietary vitamin C as non-smokers.
Men who smoke 20 or more cigarettes per day have blood vitamin C levels up to 40 percent lower than non-smokers.
They also have sperm counts 17 percent lower, reduced sperm motility and a greater percentage of abnormal sperm.
Vitamin E and Sperm
High-dose vitamin E has been tested as a treatment for subfertility in men.
By mopping up superoxide free radicals, doses as high as 600 mg vitamin E per day has shown a significant benefit on sperm numbers.
This leaves vitamin E in an inactive form which is rapidly reactivated by vitamin C.
It is therefore important for men to obtain adequate dietary supplies of both vitamins.
Betacarotene and Sperm
Vitamin A is thought to be important for sperm maturation as they pass through the epididymis.
Vitamin A can bind to sperm at special receptor sites and seems to enter the egg at fertilization.
Sperm vitamin A may be important during the early stages of foetal development.
Zinc and Sperm
Zinc is an antioxidant mineral also important in protecting sperm against free radical attack.
Semen is rich in zinc, with each ejaculate containing 5 mg one-third of the recommended daily nutrient intake.
This would imply it plays an important role in sperm health.
Three additional functions of zinc have been discovered apart from its important antioxidant one.
Alcohol and Sperm
As much as 40 percent of male subfertility has been blamed on moderate alcohol intake.
Alcohol damps down testosterone secretion and also hastens its conversion to oestrogen in the liver.
This can lead to lowered sperm counts and a decreased sex drive.
Research shows refraining from alcohol brings sperm counts up to normal within three months in 50 percent of men with subfertility.
Sperm motility also improves.
Exercise and Sperm
It is well known excessive exercise can affect the fertility of female athletes by stopping the normal menstrual cycle (a condition known as 'runners' amenorrhoea').
New research shows overtraining can damp down fertility in males, too.
Immediately after overtraining, their sperm counts fell by as much as 43 percent.
After three months, sperm counts had dropped to 52 percent lower than before they overtrained.
The number of immature and non-viable sperm increased.
All semen samples stayed within the accepted fertile range, however, and this would not be expected to interfere with fertility except where sperm counts were already low.
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Pregnancy Miracleby Lisa Olsen
-- A 279-page, instantly downloadable e-book presenting a 5-step, sure-fire, 100% guaranteed, clinically proven holistic and ancient Chinese system for permanently reversing your infertility and your partner's infertility disorders and getting pregnant quickly, naturally and safely within 2-4 months without drugs, dangerous surgeries, side effects, or expensive infertility treatments.
It's probably the most powerful infertility reversal system ever developed, and currently the best-selling e-book of its kind on the entire Web!
Here's what the author Lisa Olson had to say about her incredible program:
After 14 years of trial, error, and experimentation, I finally discovered the answer to infertility and developed a fool-proof system to getting pregnant the natural way - no drugs, or surgery necessary.
It took a lot of research to get to where I am today, to know exactly what works and what doesn't. Yes, after desperate trial and error, countless of useless treatments, disappointments, and agony, a simple holistic system opened the door to my new and much brighter life of motherhood.
I was also excited to see that my other infertility related symptoms had diminished. After years of waiting, I was finally free from Infertility! I have become a proud mother of two.
And now I'm finally revealing my secrets in this new 'encyclopedia' of pregnancy called, Pregnancy Miracle.
I will be your own personal coach, take you by the hand, and lead you through the lousy advice, hype and gimmicks... and directly to the sort of inner balance perfection that will end your battle with infertility forever and help you become a proud mother of your healthy children.
Click to order/for more info on this helpful program:
Pregnancy Miracle
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| Photo credit: Maternity Photos, by Roberta Lott |
LaDawna wrote: I'm not a doctor, nor do I consider myself one. This is information I've collected from studies, research and from those who study herbs. I highly recommend consulting a doctor or a professional before taking any of them.
Please note only some of the herbs listed below indicate whether or not they are safe for pregnancy. Please treat all as being unsafe until speaking about their usage with your RE or OB/GYN.
* Vitamin A - is an antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage to cell mitochondria.
* Angelica (Dang Gui) - can help to regulate the menstrual flow (scanty flow) and aids in the lining of the uterus. Can also help to lower FSH.
* Alpha-linolenic acid - is important for ovulation. Aids in the egg release (from the follicle) and allowing the development of the corpus luteum that is responsible for progrestrone production.
* Alfalfa - Aids in pituitary problems. This works well with fertility drugs.
* B6 - see Lecithin.
* Baby aspirin - used after ovulation to help in preventing pregnancy loss. Most often recommended after IUI/IVF.
* Bee pollen - Taken with Royal Jelly may possibly improve or eliminate menstrual problems. Is rich in vitamins, minerals, nucleic acids, and steroid hormones. Strengthens the pituitary gland.
* Beechwood - Used often while taking Clomid or Serophene. Beechwood aids in building cervical mucus and is an alternative to Robitussin (plain ONLY). It can be found in most health food stores.
* Black Cohosh - A natural supplier of estrogen. Black Cohosh should ONLY be taken from menstruation to ovulation. When used other than specifically for fertility can lead to early pregnancy loss.
* Blessed Thistle - is used when Black Cohosh isn't tolerated.
* Blue-green algae - Contains chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Strengthens pituitary gland. There are two types—Chlorella (from freshwater) and Spirulina (from saltwater)
* Vitamin C - is an antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage to cell mitochondria.
* Camp Bark - is considered a reproductive tonic. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* Catnip - Elevates the mood. Can help prevent pregnancy losses and morning sickness.
* Cayenne - Increases the effectiveness of other herbs. Taken from menstruation to ovulation.
* Chaste Tree (aka Vitex) - Inhibits FSH and can make hormones more subdued. Regulates estrogen and progesterone. Great to take a few months before doing an FSH level test or CCT to help lower the results of FSH levels.
**Note** Works against Maca, Damiana, and infertility drugs including clomid!*
Coenzyme Q-10 (COQ-10) - Helps support and improve mitochondrial (powerhouse of cells) function. During aging, the mitochondrial DNA is damaged by free radicals in our system contributing to poor egg quality occurring with aging.
* Damiana - Enhances FSH and LH. A natural aphrodisiac.
* DHEA - is a hormone building block that decreases with aging. It can be used in place of growth hormone to help the ovaries respond. A study reported that taking 80 milligrams per day for 2 months improved response to gonadotropic drugs.
**Note** don't take for long periods of time. Women with elevated male hormones should not take DHEA.
* Dong Quai - Is a hormone regulator and uterine tonic. It is known as the female hormone regulator. Dong quai should be taken in the first half of the cycle from menstruation to ovulation.
**Note** Do not take during pregnancy
* Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) - is a uterine toner and helps to increase the fertile quality cervical fluid. Regulates menstrual flow (scanty, dark flow) and aids in the lining of the uterus. It neutralizes over-acidity in the body. EPO should be taken the first half of the cycle - from menstruation to ovulation.
* Vitamin E - is an antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage to mitochondria (in cells). This is very important if you wish to conceive.
* Eskimo 3 - Contaminant free fish oil to assist with EWCM production.
* False Unicorn Root (Helonias) - Lowers estrogen. Tones and strengthens the muscles of the uterus. Prevents pregnancy loss (especially when used with Lobelia). Used for some types of complications of pregnancy. Can possibly help to lower FSH.
* Folic acid - important for cell division. It also can help prevent Spina Bifida. The active ingredient in most prenatal vitamins.
* Gingko - Improves blood flow to the brain and pituitary gland.
* Ginseng - Contains steroids similar to estrogen and progesterone. Aids in reducing stress. Can possibly help lower FSH. Regulates male hormones especially when taken with Sarsaparilla. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* Hawthorn - Can help prevent pregnancy loss.
* Hops - Has estrogenic effects. Can have a calming effect.
**Note** Also can slow down sex drive.
Kelp - Great for the pituitary glands. Helps lower prolactin levels.
* Lady´s Mantle - considered a reproductive tonic. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* L'arginine - Improves blood flow to the pelvic organs. In a study, this amino acid was found to increase ovarian response, endometrial receptivity, and pregnancy rates in IVF patients who took 16 grams of L-arginine by increasing blood flow to the ovaries. It is not recommended taking that much though.
* Lecithin - B6. For pituitary gland. It is known for helping to normalize hormone levels which in turn helps to lengthen the luteal phase and to minimize PMS and morning sickness.
* Licorice Root - Contains Estoril, an estrogen. Depresses the pituitary gland. Helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Take from menstruation to ovulation
**Note** shouldn't be taken for long periods of time or in large doses. Works against fertility drugs.
* Lobelia - Helps to prevent pregnancy loss. Works great with False Unicorn Root.
* Loveage - is considered a general reproductive tonic. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* Maca - Can enhance FSH, LH, and reduce stress.
* Magnesium - Low magnesium levels are associated with low progesterone. Can lower the risk of premature birth, may reduce pre-eclampsia, cerebral palsy and mental retardation.
* Motherwort - considered a reproductive tonic. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* Nettle - is considered a reproductive tonic. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid) - a B vitamin which stimulates the pituitary gland and sometimes restores fertility to a woman. PABA affects the formation of red blood cells and stimulates the production of folic acid in the intestines. Supplements of 300 to 400 milligrams daily have been found to prevent and correct aspects of some autoimmune conditions including infertility.
* Pantothenic acid - a B5 vitamin. Synthesizes hormones and cholesterol. Improves the body's resistance to stress. Deficiencies can cause infertility, though being deficient is rare.
* Pycnogenol (or oligomeric proanthocyanidins) - is a super-antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage to cell mitochondria.
* Red Clover - Used to aid fertility. Take from menstruation to ovulation.
* Red Raspberry leaves - Strengthens the uterus and entire reproductive system. Can help prevent pregnancy loss.
* Royal jelly - with Bee Pollen can improve or eliminate menstrual problems. Contains high amounts of amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes. Considered to be the Queen Bee's equivalent of fertility drugs.
* Sarsaparilla - Contains both male and female hormones. For men, it increases sperm count especially when taken with Ginseng. For women, it balances female hormones, strengthens the pituitary gland and enhances both FSH and LH. Contains progesterone.
* Saw Palmetto - may be beneficial for infertility, menstrual disorders, ovarian dysfunction, lactation, thyroid deficiencies, and painful menstrual periods. This herb is mainly used for male problems and has only found it to
maybework for female problems.
* Selenium - an antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage to cell mitochondria. A deficiency of selenium can lead to infertility in women.
* Valerian root - basically does the same thing as wheatgrass. Very relaxing to the whole body.
* Vitex - See Chaste Tree
* Wheatgrass (or Barley Grass) - helps the cervical mucus and uterus have the right PH balance needed for conception and implantation. Can help restore hormonal functioning.
* White Peony (Bai Shao) - Can help to regulate menstrual flow (scanty flow) and aid in the lining of the uterus.
* Wild Yam - Used to increase progesterone. Can help prevent pregnancy loss.
* Wobenzyme - Used by women that have pregnancy loss caused by immune issues. Contains Rutin.
* Zinc - is an antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage to cell mitochondria
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Eat, Love, Get Pregnant: A Couple's Guide To Boosting Fertility and Having A Healthy Babyby Karen Daniels
--
A breakthrough revolutionary plan for getting pregnant fast, solving common fertility problems and having a healthy baby – this is NOT your average book on getting pregnant!
Renowned fertility expert Dr. Niels Lauersen and women's wellness expert Colette Bouchez help readers take charge of their fertility with a revolutionary new self-help plan designed to show couples how to work together to boost their conception odds, plan for a healthy pregnancy, and get pregnant faster – all without the use of expensive fertility treatments or medications.
Based on scientific research and tested on thousands of couples Eat-Love-GET PREGNANT is a simple yet revolutionary plan that provides the quintessential
missing linkabsent from most other fertility programs – namely, the importance of not only boosting both male and female fertility simultaneously, but bold new evidence showing how, when couples work together in certain special and unique ways, they can create a unified
fertility power booststrong enough to take them from infertile to fertile in as little as three months
Paperback: 116 pagesClick to order/for more info: Eat, Love, Get Pregnant
Start reading Eat, Love, Get Pregnant on your Kindle in under a minute!Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
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| Photo credit: Grapefruit, Pomelo, by Victoria Rachitzky Hoch |
In a test tube study, quercetin was found to change estrogen metabolism in human liver cells in a way that increases estradiol levels and reduces other forms of estrogen.
This effect is likely to increase estrogen activity in the body.
However, the levels of quercetin used to alter estrogen metabolism in the test tube were much higher than levels found in the body after supplementing with quercetin.
There is evidence from test tube studies that another flavonoid in grapefruit juice, naringenin, also has estrogenic activity.
It has yet to be shown that dietary or supplemental levels of quercetin (or naringenin) could create a significant problem.
Grapefruit - In a small, controlled study of women with surgically removed ovaries, estradiol levels in the blood were significantly higher after estradiol was taken with grapefruit juice than when estradiol was taken alone. These results have been independently confirmed, suggesting that women taking oral estradiol should probably avoid grapefruit altogether.
Source: Interactions with Supplements
How the Drug/Grapefruit Interaction Works
Cytochrome P-450 is a group of enzymes located throughout the body, with the largest concentration found in the liver and the intestinal walls.
This family of enzymes is responsible for triggering the chemical reactions required to breakdown (metabolize) many different compounds, from food to drugs.
CYP3A4 is the most abundant member of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme family and is responsible for breaking down approximately 60% of the drugs we take.
Grapefruit — more specifically a compound in grapefruit that has yet to be identified — inhibits the activity of CYP3A4.
This means that when grapefruit or grapefruit juice is consumed, a compound within the grapefruit disrupts the CYP3A4 enzyme’s ability to metabolize a drug.
If a drug is not adequately metabolized, higher levels of the drug than intended may enter the bloodstream, which can lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
Grapefruit/drug interactions have been observed within a few hours after consuming grapefruit and may last for up to 24 hours.
As little as eight ounces or 250 milliliters can have an effect on the metabolism of some drugs.
Drugs that Interact with Grapefruit Juice:
Hormone replacement: cortisol, estradiol, methylprednisolone, progesterone, testosterone
Source: Is Grapefruit Dangerously Interacting With Your Medications?
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
The Fertile Kitchen Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Optimizing Your Fertilityby Cindy Bailey and Pierre Giauque
-- Are you one of the millions of couples desperately trying to conceive a baby? Are you aware that diet plays a critical role in fertility? Would you like to unlock the secrets to changing your diet and potentially increasing your chances of success?
Co-authors Cindy Bailey and Pierre Giauque -- when confronted with Cindy's medical prognosis of a two percent chance of conceiving a baby on her own -- unlocked those secrets to develop a fertility diet that four months later produced a viable pregnancy, and soon after a healthy baby.
The Fertile Kitchen™ Cookbook includes a variety of simple-to-make tasty dishes that make the diet easy to follow. In this cookbook, the authors share these flavorful recipes, along with the dietary guidelines that helped them succeed. Additional tips and even a section on cooking basics are included.
You will learn: The importance of diet in conception and pregnancy, what foods you can and cannot eat to enhance fertility, how to identify and shop for healthy ingredients and food items, how to prepare the nutritious and fertility-enhancing recipes included.
Paperback: 185 pagesClick to order/for more info: The Fertile Kitchen Cookbook
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| Photo credit: Newborn Baby, by Anita Peppers |
The conclusions suggest vitamin E may have a more significant impact on fetal growth than was previously believed.
During the study, over 1,200 pregnant women were monitored for their vitamin E levels during their 28th week of pregnancy.
What they found was among the women with highest levels of vitamin E, the birth weight of their babies was highest.
They also found these women were three times less likely to have low birth weight babies than those with the lowest concentration of vitamin E.
However, the scientists did say it was not clear the vitamin E levels were not a marker of other factors promoting fetal development, such as a healthy diet.
They also said they are as yet not recommending pregnant women take any additional vitamin E, then what is contained in prenatal vitamins.
In fact, they say excessive levels of vitamin E have actually been linked to pregnancy complications, such as low birth weight babies.
Source: IOL.co.za
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Fertility and Conception: A Complete Guide to Getting Pregnantby Zita West
-- Aimed at couples that are planning to start a family, from those who have already experienced problems conceiving to those who have only recently decided to have a baby, Fertility and Conception is loaded with advice and up-to-date information on maximizing fertility.
Bridging the gap between conventional and complimentary treatments, the book offers a unique approach to fertility by offering
Plan A,a 4-week preconception program of diet and complimentary therapies, and
Plan B,which focuses on combining conventional treatments such as IVF, with complimentary treatments.
In clear, easy-to-understand prose, the author provides cutting-edge information on all the latest fertility tests and treatments and offers advice on how to achieve healthy ovulation through diet, correct hormone balance, and reducing the effects of disorders that derail fertility.
Paperback: 192 pagesClick to order/for more info: Fertility and Conception
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| Photo credit: FertileCM.com - All Rights Reserved |
One of the purposes of cervical mucus is to sustain sperm in a healthy medium and facilitate sperm movement.
Therefore, during ovulation, there is an increase in cervical fluids, as well as a change in CM texture. During this time, CM becomes more pliable,
stretchable, and slippery (resembling raw egg whites) and is therefore a reliable indicator of fertility.
To observe CM, simply use clean, dry fingers or toilet paper to collect and examine your cervical mucus. During non-fertile times of the month, you will typically observe a dryness (or scant amount of cervical mucus). However, as you near ovulation, the amount of CM will increase and the texture will change.
Before Ovulation, a woman typically experiences very little visible cervical fluids. Gradually, more mucus will accumulate - but it will be yellow or cloudy and exhibit a sticky texture. This is non-fertile cervical mucus (sometimes referred to as
hostile cervical mucus).
As you begin to near your ovulation date, the presence of cervical mucus will increase markedly due to higher levels of estrogen in your body. First, there will be a moistness or slight tackiness to the mucus, and it should exhibit a white or cream-colored appearance. However, as you near your most fertile time, CM will become thinner and more slippery.
During Ovulation, the amount of cervical fluids will increase greatly and the appearance will resemble raw
egg whites. The texture of the CM will become increasingly slippery and
stretchable, and may appear semitransparent. This is your most fertile time of the month for conceiving.
After Ovulation (luteal phase), the slippery, thin quality of the CM will lessen and the texture will once again become sticky and cloudy. Post-ovulatory dryness may also ensue as the levels of progesterone rise in your body.
As a natural fertility sign, monitoring changes in cervical mucus is a reliable method of ovulation prediction.
Certain vitamins may help increase your cervical mucus. They can include:
• Vitamin C - Makes your blood vessel walls stronger, fight off infections, and speed healing of any wounds. As well, Vitamin C can increase the amount of fluid in your cervical mucus, giving you plenty of cervical mucus.
• Nitric Oxide [NO] - Makes blood vessels dilate, allowing your blood to flow to your reproductive organs, which are your genitals, uterus, and ovaries. Studies suggest NO helps increase the amount of mucus secreted by your cervix.
• Lactobacilli - Not exactly a vitamin, Lactobacilli are tiny organisms - an important part of a healthy environment in your vagina. Lactobacilli helps create the best environment to make cervical mucus more effective.
• Grapeseed Extract - Works with Vitamin C, making it more effective. The presence of this antioxidant gives additional support and protection to your man's sperm.
• Evening Primrose Oil - A herb often used specifically to increase your cervical mucus. It is an essential fatty acid, also an anti-inflammatory. It not only helps increase your cervical mucus, it also helps increase the quality and effectiveness of your cervical mucus, producing more
egg-white cervical mucus.
Read more: Enhancing Fertility Naturally
FertileCM
- designed to help a woman produce her own cervical mucus - naturally.
Cervical mucus (a fluid that is secreted from inside the cervix) plays an important role in achieving pregnancy.
During most of a woman's cycle, very little cervical fluids are produced.
However, around the time a woman ovulates, the presence of cervical mucus increases in order to help nourish sperm and facilitate sperm transport.
It also insulates sperm from the natural acidity inside the vagina.
Click to order/for more info: FertileCM |
| Photo credit: Belly, by Alena Getman |
the natural Clomidfor quite a few years.
It can be found at health food stores and other places that sell supplements. You can also order it along with B6 through Amazon.
** Recipe #1 **
Take Whole Cycle:
• 1 Prenatal Vitamin Daily
• 1 Baby Aspirin Daily
• 1 50 mg B6 Vitamin in the morning.
• 1 B-50 Complex in the evening
From Cycle Day 1 until Ovulation:
• Two Vitex, 500mg Capsules in the morning
• Two Vitex, 500mg Capsules in the evening
From End of Period until Ovulation:
• Robitussin: full strength as if you have a bad cough.
Label Directions: adults and children 12 years and over, 2-4 teaspoonfuls every 4 hours. Do not take more than 6 doses in any 24 hour period. Consult label for accuracy, warnings, and ingredients.
Active ingredient: Guaifenesin ONLY, do NOT get any type with other active ingredients or letters such as Robitussin DM or Robitussin CF.
*** Recipe #2 ***
Take Whole cycle:
• 1 Prenatal Vitamin Daily
• 1 B6 100mg Vitamin 2-3 times a day. Start with twice a day and can take up to 300mg. Only take as much as YOUR body needs to produce good quality mucus.
• 1 B-50 Complex, Timed Release Tablet, once a day.
• 1 Baby Aspirin, once a day.
Cycle Day 5 until Period Shows or Confirmed Pregnant:
• 1 Vitex 500mg Capsule 2-3 times a day with meals or a glass of water. Suggest starting at twice a day and going up if needed.
Around Ovulation
Robitussin: Use label directions on your bottle if possible.
Label Directions: adults and children 12 years and over, 2-4 teaspoons full every 4 hours. Do not take more than 6 doses in any 24 hour period. Consult label for accuracy, warnings and ingredients.
Active ingredient: Guaifenesin ONLY, do NOT get any type with other active ingredients or letters such as Robitussin DM or Robitussin CF.
CD1-5 - Stop Vitex and let body rest and use the herbs already taken.
Notes: Recipe #1 and Recipe #2 have both resulted in happy healthy babies. Recipe #2 is a little more controversial than #1 in that it includes Vitex until pregnant and it includes a higher dose of B6. Be informed regardless of which one you use.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page in no way constitutes medical advice nor is it guaranteed to work. Baby After 40 is not liable for any use of this information. We offer this information for information purposes only. Please check with your doctor before taking anything. Do not let this delay anyone seeking treatment for infertility. Taking Vitex in no way helps certain disorders such as PCOS or clotting disorders. Please follow your doctor's advice.
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Futureby David Wolfe
-- Superfoods are vibrant, nutritionally dense foods that have recently become widely available and which offer tremendous dietary and healing potential.
In this lively, illustrated overview, well-known raw-foods guru David Wolfe profiles delicious and incredibly nutritious plant products such as goji berries, hempseed, cacao beans (raw chocolate), maca, spirulina, bee products, and a host of others.
As powerful sources of clean protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, good fats and oils, essential fatty and amino acids, and other nutrients, they represent a uniquely promising piece of the nutritional puzzle.
Each superfood is described in detail, accompanied by easy and delicious recipes.
This accessible guide presents persuasive arguments, based on sound science, for the pivotal role of superfoods in promoting nutritional excellence, health and well-being, beauty enhancement, sustainable agriculture, and the transformation of diet, lifestyle, and planet.
Paperback: 352 pagesClick to order/for more info: Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future
Start reading Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future on your Kindle in under a minute! Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
 |
| Photo credit: Packs of Fresh Vegies, by Richard Dudley |
It is also one of the most abundant minerals in the body, constituting 70% of the positive ions inside cells; the rest are a mixture of sodium, magnesium, calcium, arginine, and others.
Symptoms of potassium deficiency
Some of the symptoms of potassium to be noted are: tiredness, high and low blood pressure, acne, dry eyes, irritability, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle weakness, depression, confusion, anxiety, insomnia, frail skeletal structure, bone and joint pain, decreased reflexes, constipation, high cholesterol, and water retention.
Respiratory problems, excessive thirst, evidence of protein in urine, less than adequate growth, infertility and headaches are other symptoms of potassium deficiency.
• Potassium is necessary for normal cell respiration; a deficiency can cause decreased levels of oxygen, which will reduce the efficiency of cell function.
• Potassium is thought to be therapeutically useful in many ways, including assisting in the treatment of alleviating allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, and preventing high blood pressure. People suffering from any of the above should consider increasing their intake of potassium after talking to a professional.
• A deficiency of potassium in the blood is referred to as hypokalemia and manifests itself in many ways. Among the most serious are arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease , stroke, cancer, and even infertility, as potassium constitutes a vital element of seminal fluid.
• Potassium deficiency will increase acid levels in the body, lowering the natural pH, which will have far reaching effects. Lack of potassium can also aggravate problems caused by lack of protein.
• Potassium is essential to the efficient processing of foods in the body; without it they cannot be broken down into the proper compounds. This can lead to rheumatism, and is one reason why adequate potassium prevents rheumatism.
Who needs potassium supplements?
Those who may need to take potassium supplements include women who take oral contraceptives, abusers of alcohol or drugs, smokers, athletes, workers whose job involves physical exertion, patients who have had their gastrointestinal tract surgically removed, anyone suffering from any degree of malabsorption syndrome, and vegetarians.
People who have eating disorders, especially bulimia and anorexia, are particularly at risk from damage due to low potassium levels.
Also, individuals who have been ill, anyone who has undergone surgery and those who are taking cortisone or digitalis preparations, and those suffering from high levels of stress will probably also have low potassium levels.
How Much Potassium Do We Generally Need?
For daily intake, men and women need at least 4.7 grams of potassium, or 2,000-4,000 mg. Women around the ages of 31 and 50 in America and the United Kingdom, consume less than 50 percent of the daily amount of potassium needed to maintain optimal health.
Men in America consume only slightly higher levels of potassium.
Most American diets contain 1,500-5,000 mg of potassium daily. This is quite far under the recommended daily intake.
In general, nutritionists recommend reducing salt intake and ensuring adequate supply by increasing the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet.
High Potassium Foods
Here is a brief list of some foods high in potassium so that you can hopefully avoid a potassium deficiency:
- orange juice, bananas, boiled chard, mushrooms, raw, fennel (bulb), romaine lettuce, raw celery, boiled mustard greens, raw cauliflower, raw broccoli, all varieties of summer and winter squash, ripe tomatoes, cooked turnip greens, raw carrots, boiled collard greens, raw cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, boiled beets, papaya, snap and string green beans, yam, fresh kale, and Brussels sprouts.
Source: The Nutritional Benefits of Potassium Citrate
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Pregnancy Miracleby Lisa Olsen
-- A 279-page, instantly downloadable e-book presenting a 5-step, sure-fire, 100% guaranteed, clinically proven holistic and ancient Chinese system for permanently reversing your infertility and your partner's infertility disorders and getting pregnant quickly, naturally and safely within 2-4 months without drugs, dangerous surgeries, side effects, or expensive infertility treatments.
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After 14 years of trial, error, and experimentation, I finally discovered the answer to infertility and developed a fool-proof system to getting pregnant the natural way - no drugs, or surgery necessary.
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Herbs like Wild Yam and Vitex have been found to encourage ovulation, but only if you have the imbalance known as kidney yang vacuity (which includes luteal phase defect and low progesterone levels,) according to the pattern differentiation of Chinese medicine.
If you are deficient in yin energies (like estrogen), taking wild yam and/or vitex will make your scenario worse.
Yin deficiency symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, dry eyes, mouth, vagina, lack of cervical mucus, etc.
Herbs like angelica and asparagi would be appropriate here to restore reproductive balance.
Yang deficiency symptoms include low back pain, cold hands and feet, nighttime urination, low libido, etc.
Herbs like Vitex and wild yam will help this scenario restore endocrine health.
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Murphy Lives Hereby Dr. Merryl J. Polak
-- Initially apprehensive about becoming a mother, Emma mapped out her life plans steered by fulfillment of a happy marriage and career.
She thought she might one day feel ready and willing to add the role of mother to her life's responsibilities, but she had not quite figured out when that would occur.
When Emma's biological clock smacked her upside the head and she suddenly craved motherhood over every other aspect of life, she was stunned to discover that she could not get pregnant.
After a year of ovulation test kits and timed baby making under her belt, it was inevitable that other avenues needed exploration.
After pursuing every option, including adoption, Emma learned that becoming a parent was not as simple a process as she had always envisioned.
Paperback: 226 pagesClick to order/for more info: Murphy Lives Here
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 |
| Photo credit: Holding her treasure, by Ms Burrows |
In the study 98 women were given either fish or olive oil supplements daily from 20 weeks gestation to the birth of their babies.
Once their children had reached two and half years of age, their language, behavior, reasoning skills and hand-eye coordination was assessed.
Although there were no marked differences in language, the study did find that there were significant differences in hand-eye coordination, with the children born of mothers taking fish oil supplements scoring higher than those born of mothers taking olive oil supplements.
These scores even held up when influencing factors such as the mother’s age and duration of breastfeeding were taken into account.
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
Infertility Journeys: Finding Your Happy Endingby Lesley Vance
-- Tells the family-building journeys of eighteen couples who struggle with infertility and how they find their happy endings.
Written with honesty, humor, and compassion, Infertility Journeys weaves the stories of women and men together with a wealth of information about fertility treatments, and the emotional struggles couples experience.
The book offers hope, encouragement, and inspiration, helping women and men to process unmet expectations and to navigate their family-building options. Overflowing with ideas and suggestions.
Paperback: 186 pagesClick to order/for more info: Infertility Journeys
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Women may want to consider these supplements:
• A quality multivitamin may increase fertility.
(Czeizel AE, Metneki J, Dudas I. The effect of preconceptional multivitamin supplementation on fertility. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1996;66:55–8).
• Iron (10-20 mg/day)
Anemia can lead to infertility. Women who bleed profusely may be anemic, those who rarely bleed may in fact be either anemic or too high in iron.
• Vitamin C (500-1500 mg/day)
This powerful anti-oxidant helps to protect cells and strengthen the immune system.
• Vitamin E (400-800 i.u. per day)
Vitamin E may increase egg quality. In a preliminary human trial, infertile couples given vitamin E (200 IU per day for the female and 100 IU per day for the male) showed a significant increase in fertility. (Bayer R. Treatment of infertility with vitamin E. Int J Fertil 1960;5:70–8)
• PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) (400 mg/day)
Some women have become pregnant with PABA. PABA is believed to increase the ability of estrogen to facilitate fertility. (Sieve BF. The clinical effects of a new B-complex factor, para-aminobenzoic acid, on pigmentation and fertility. South Med Surg 1942;104:135–9)
• Co-enzyme-Q10 (30-100 mg/day)
May improve egg quality.
• Folate, also known as folic acid (400-800 mcg/day)
Folic acid may prevent neural tube defects and other birth defects. It also protects your heart.
• L-Arginine (16 g/day)
Was shown to increase fertility in women who had previously failed in-vitro fertilization-IVF-procedures. (Battaglia C, Salvatori M, Maxia N, et al. Adjuvant L-arginine treatment for in-vitro fertilization in poor responder patients. Hum Reprod 1999;14:1690–7)
• Essential fatty acids (EFA) (1-7 grams per day)
can help the health of your reproductive system, insulin levels, heart and brain. EFA reduce inflammation throughout the body (a possible cause of PCOS and other types of infertility) and promote overall health. The best source is purified fish oil (don't take cod liver oil as it is too high in vitamins A and D and may prove toxic).
Read more: BellaOnline.com
TODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:
The 100 Healthiest Foods to Eat During Pregnancy: The Surprising Unbiased Truth about Foods You Should be Eating During Pregnancy but Probably Aren'tby Jonny Bowden Ph.D. C.N.S., Allison Tannis MS
-- Eat the best foods for your baby's development!
Nutrition is never more critical than during pregnancy. What you choose to put on your plate affects you and your baby's health not just in utero but for years to come.
However, many nutritional guidelines for pregnancy are complex, confusing, and offer an uninspiring list of things to eat for the next nine months.
Backed up by the latest nutritional research, this guide debunks pregnancy food myths and uncovers a number of surprising food choices that are superfoods for expectant mothers.
This one-of-a-kind nutrition reference guide is also packed with helpful quick-reference charts and sidebars, highlighting healthy (but no less delicious!) substitutes for commonly craved foods like ice cream and potato chips.
You'll also discover the most up-to-date research regarding pregnancy dilemmas, such as how to get more omega-3s from fish in your diet while avoiding mercury. It's pregnancy nutrition made easy!
Paperback: 320 pagesClick to order/for more info: The 100 Healthiest Foods to Eat During Pregnancy
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