Better+Nutrition+June+2019

JUNE  ­€ (^) • 25
AVOIDING MISCARRIAGES
Miscarriage is another issue for many couples trying to conceive. Insufficient progesterone
production is a very common cause of early miscarriage, especially in women over age
35 or so. Check your progesterone levels over the course of a full cycle. There are good
saliva tests on the market, and many don’t require a doctor’s order. A single blood test
for estrogen and progesterone cannot tell you anything about your cycle.
Thyroid insufficiency is another common risk factor for miscarriage. If you have a
hard time losing weight, tend to be cold and/or constipated, and have heavy menses,
low thyroid may be the culprit. Also rule out high prolactin levels. In non-nursing
women, this is a sign of stress. Adrenal-supporting herbs such as licorice, ashwagandha,
eleutherococcus, schisandra, and rhodiola can help. Also try daily meditation, journaling,
or yoga to reduce stress.
Do you have a question for Dr. Kane? Email it to editorial@
betternutrition.com with “Ask the ND” in the subject line.
crops and the corresponding increased
use of RoundUp. The solution? Eat organic
food whenever possible.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were
once used in electrical equipment, plastics,
and adhesives, and have contaminated
our fi sh, meats, and dairy products. PCBs
decrease fertility by lowering proges-
terone levels, diminishing ovulation, and
reducing estrogen clearance. Solution:
Avoid most dairy products and eat only
wild, young, non-bottom-feeding fi sh.
Women often seek medical advice for
infertility because they have a shorter
window for conception. But
the problem is just as likely
due to the man. Besides
lower testosterone
levels worldwide, many
sperm donors who
undergo semen analysis
are being diagnosed
with agglutination, a
condition where sperm
cells stick together and are
less lively. This is usually due
to infl ammation in the prostate
or urethra, generally caused by a
sub-optimal diet including chemicals
from processed food.
Dietary Solutions
To combat the chemical stew in our
environment, both members of a couple
trying to conceive would do well to enjoy
a 2–6 week period of detoxifi cation and
cleansing 1–3 times a year. This means
eating a clean, fresh diet of mostly or-
ganic vegetables, good-quality fi sh,
and eggs or organic nut-based proteins.
Two or more servings per day (versus
one or fewer per week) of low-fat dairy
products have been associated with an
85 percent decrease in fertility.The protein
component of dairy (casein) causes the
problem, but these eff ects were only
observed with low-fat dairy consumption.
High-quality organic or grass-fed full-fat
dairy actually seems to increase fertility.
Keep blood sugars steady by
minimizing grains and completely
avoiding processed foods. Drink mostly
water, along with kombucha
or herbal teas. Coff ee is
a vasoconstrictor (like
nicotine) and will mess
with oxygen delivery
to all tissues.
And watch your
weight. The risk of
infertility rises with
obesity, which is affi liated
with PCOS (polycystic
ovarian syndrome, which has
many manifestations but basically
inhibits ovulation). Inositol, a readily
available supplement, is well documented
to promote ovulation in women with PCOS.
Key Fertility Nutrients
Micronutrient defi ciencies can inhibit
a healthy pregnancy: particularly iron
and folic acid. It’s easy to check your
status with an inexpensive blood test
D i d You
Know?
The risk of infertility rises with
obesity, which is affiliated with
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome,
which has many manifestations but
basically inhibits ovulation). Inositol,
a readily available supplement, is
well documented to promote
ovulation in women
with PCOS.
(CBC). You can also check your ovarian
reserves with a somewhat more
expensive blood test called AMH
(Anti-Mullerian Hormone).
For women, once you’ve determined
that you’re ovulating (you observe
mid-cycle egg-white stretchy mucous,
and your ovulation detector confi rms
this is high-estrogen mucus, indicating
fertility), try taking:
Phosphatidyl choline (the myo
inositol form is best)—1,200 mg
three times daily to soften the ovary
walls, until conception
Vitamin E—800 IUs daily to boost
ovulation
High potency B complex—with
230–500 mg of B1 (thiamine) to
promote ovulation
Vitex (chasteberry)—in tincture
or capsule form, taken on an empty
stomach every morning. Work with
someone knowledgeable of this
herbal medicine.
For men, once a semen analysis
shows that you do have live swimmers,
you should avoid hot tubs, tight pants,
and cycling. If possible, also avoid taking
antibiotics, particularly the erythromycin
group, which is known to reduce sperm
production. Supplements that can help
male fertility include:
Vitamin E—400–800 IUs daily to
boost sperm production
Glutathione—500 mg daily to
improve sperm mobility
Zinc—50 mg daily
Vitamin C—1,000 mg daily
Finally, consider GIFT (gamete
intra fallopian transfer), which is
signifi cantly more natural than other
assisted reproductive technologies.
Many acupuncturists are familiar
with special acupoints to both enhance
fertility and to enhance the promise
of a full-term pregnancy.
BN0619_D_AsktheND_JS.indd 25 4/30/19 12:32 PM