Traditional Chinese Dietary Therapy For Conception
So many factors affect fertility in the twenty-first century, including age, stress, and health conditions like obesity and diabetes. Some of these factors are harder to control than others, but one thing everyone should be able to dial in?
Nutrition.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), certain foods are believed to support and enhance fertility, and there’s a strong emphasis on consuming a broad variety of healthy fats, animal proteins, and fruits and vegetables.
While we will cover fat and animal protein recommendations in a follow-up post, this article will focus on the direct impact that fruits and vegetables can have on our bodies and why you should consider adding more of them.
ANTIOXIDANTS
A study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to higher levels of antioxidants in the body.
Antioxidants help to protect against oxidative stress, which can damage eggs and impair their ability to develop into healthy embryos.
OBESITY RATES
A review published in the journal Nutrition Reviews found that consuming lots of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower rates of obesity.
Obesity disrupts the body’s normal hormonal balance and may interfere with ovulation. Additionally, high levels of insulin due to insulin resistance may cause irregular periods, making it difficult to predict when ovulation will occur.
Finally, obesity is a risk factor for PCOS, a condition that can cause irregular periods and keep a woman from ovulating all together.
Because of the associated risks with obesity and fertility, maintaining a healthy weight is important for women trying to get pregnant.
CONTROLLING INFLAMMATION
A study published in the journal, Nutrients, found that diets rich in a variety of plants (fruits and vegetables) is linked to lower levels of inflammation in the body.
Inflammation may negatively impact fertility by disrupting the normal functioning of the reproductive system.
LOWER STRESS
A review published in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition found that a plant-centered diet is associated with lower levels of stress.
Stress can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance in the body and interfere with fertility.
In men, stress can affect sperm quality and decrease fertility. In women, chronic stress may cause inflammation in the body, which can damage eggs and impair their ability to develop into healthy embryos.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
A study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that eating many fruits and vegetables is linked to lower levels of environmental toxins in the body.
Environmental toxins, such as pesticides and heavy metals, can disrupt the normal functioning of the reproductive system and potentially lead to fertility problems.
WHAT KINDS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES?
Pears: Pears are believed to nourish the spleen and moisten the lungs, which are important for reproductive health in TCM. They are also thought to help balance fluids in the body, which can support regular periods and ovulation.
Red dates: Red dates, also known as Chinese dates, are believed to nourish the blood and strengthen the uterus in TCM. They are often recommended for supporting fertility and pregnancy.
Goji berries: Goji berries are believed to tonify the kidneys and liver, which are important for reproductive health in TCM. They are also thought to nourish the blood and improve uterine health.
Asparagus: Asparagus is believed to nourish the blood and improve circulation in TCM. It is also thought to support healthy ovarian function and improve the quality of eggs.
Carrots: Carrots are believed to nourish the blood and improve circulation in TCM. They are also thought to support healthy ovarian function and improve the quality of eggs.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and our practitioners may recommend different fruits and vegetables based on your unique needs, preferences, and constitution.
WRAP UP
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be associated with higher levels of antioxidants, lower rates of obesity, lower levels of inflammation, lower levels of stress, and lower levels of environmental toxins–all of which can improve fertility.
When focusing on creating the optimal environment for getting pregnant, it’s important to ensure that you are giving your body the absolute best opportunity to do just that.
Our 6-month ELEMENTAL CONCEPTION program includes a custom diet designed to complement many other healing modalities to give you the absolute best opportunity to get pregnant.
Please CONTACT US to schedule a consultation to discuss how we may help you in your journey.
References:
Kwon, J., Kim, K., Kim, Y., Park, J., & Lee, H. (2013). “Effect of a vegetarian diet on fertility: A systematic review.” Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 58(3-4), 97-102.
Agarwal, A., Nallella, K. P., Allamaneni, S. S., & Said, T. M. (2006). “Role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility.” Fertility and Sterility, 86(5), 1573-1582.
Watson, J. E., & Preedy, V. R. (2012). “Plant-based diets, inflammation and obesity.” Nutrients, 4(1-2), 1529-1546.
