Foods that can boost your fertility
A balanced diet is important at all times, but when you’re trying to get pregnant, nutrition is crucial. The healthier your body is, the more likely you are to conceive and carry a baby to term, says consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Michelle Bailey.
She said simply changing your diet and taking keen note of the types of food that you consume can improve fertility naturally.
So:
1. Choose foods high in protein
High-quality protein is necessary for good quality eggs. Replace animal protein (beef, pork, or chicken) with vegetable protein (nuts, beans, etc), and fish such as salmon. These changes will reduce infertility caused by ovulation problems. Adding high-fat dairy such as a glass of whole milk also reduces ovulatory infertility.
2. Eat whole grains
You can still enjoy your favourite snacks such as bread, once you opt for whole grains. Whole grains provide the body with essential carbohydrates. They are also rich in other nutrients such as B vitamins, fibre and folic acid which contributes to regulation of ovulation, lowering risk of suffering problems producing eggs and disturbances to your reproductive hormones and menstrual cycle.
3. Have fruits and vegetables
Fertility requires a good stock of vitamins, and fruits and vegetables are perfect for this. Green, leafy vegetables are packed with folic acid — broccoli, spinach and lettuce, for example. These assist the production of eggs and protect the sperm because of their high level of antioxidants. Vegetables represent a good protein source and are a good replacement for meat. Lycopene, folate and Vitamin C found in vegetables and fruits also aid in fertility.
4. Include herbs
Some herbs are said to contain a range of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for fertility. Dr Bailey says Vitex (chaste tree berry) helps to maintain hormonal balance in the body and thus aids in normal ovulation. It has an effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (hormonal feedback loop).
5. Eat berries
Blueberries and raspberries, especially, contain antioxidants that help fertility. They protect body cells (reproductive cells in both men and women) from damage and ageing.
Dr Bailey said there are additional supplements that both men and women can use to increase the chances of fertility as well.
“There are some tablets on the market called Fertility Blend which contain a variety of these fertility-boosting ingredients and have been shown to be effective in boosting fertility in men and women,” said Dr Bailey
“Patients who are trying to get pregnant should eat fresh fruits, vegetables, have high-quality proteins, practise safe sex (sex with an uninfected partner), and don’t delay childbirth, because female fertility declines with age. It is also important to maintain an ideal body weight.”
