Core Health and Nutrition » fertility enhancement

Fertility and Celiac Disease

Megan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:35:50 +0000

Many people have Celiac Disease or celiac intolerance, and few know that it can affect their attempts at conception. It is an autoimmune response that manifest when gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, is ingested. It often takes many years for a correct diagnosis to be made, and, until then, individuals can suffer from chronic diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, and other digestive disorders, as well as a whole host of seemingly unrelated symptoms. It can also affect fertility. In men with Celiac Disease, it can lead to low sperm count, and women may experience troubles conceiving.

Studies from various countries indicate that fertility problems are indeed more common in women with untreated Celiac Disease, compared to women who do not have it.

The risk of suffering other gynecological and obstetrical problems like miscarriage or preterm birth is also higher for those with Celiac Disease.
Joseph Mercola, “Why Haven’t Infertile Couples Been Told These Facts?”, 2/23/2010

Follow the link to read more about what Dr. Mercola has to say about Celiac Disease and its affects on fertility.

Aduki Squash Stew

Megan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:49:05 +0000

This delicious recipe came from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the school where I received my Health Counseling training. I varied it a bit by adding a couple tablespoons of fresh-grated ginger and ground cumin, and cooking in vegetable stock instead of plain water to fill out the flavor and enhance the nutritional value. In Chinese Medicine, aduki beans support the Kidney Qi, essential for healthy reproductive function, and the squash deeply nourishes the Spleen Qi, promoting digestive health. This stew is warming and great for people with weak constitutions.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
1 pound winter squash (kabocha, butternut)

1 ½ cups aduki beans, soaked

3 inches seaweed (like kombu or wakame)

5 cups of water (or vegetable stock)

Sea salt

*Grated ginger, optional

Directions: Peel and cube squash into 2 inch squares (can leave skins on if edible)

Place washed beans and seaweed into a pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover and add squash cubes. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Uncover, add sea salt, and stir until water evaporates.

Notes: Try with roots like carrot, parsnip, and turnip. These roots don’t need more than 20 minutes to cook with beans.

Choices in Fertility: Shades of Grey

Megan — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:06:23 +0000

The fertility world is painted in shades of grey—answers to challenging questions are nuanced, and many times the right answer for you may be in opposition to your partner’s. At each juncture there is a decision to be made that can stretch personal boundaries or pose ethical dilemmas.

Should I use ART’s or try natural conception? How far am I willing to go down each path to keep my own mental wellbeing? What are my beliefs about fertility drugs, donor eggs or adoption, and how many medically stimulated cycles am I willing to include as part of my treatment plan? These choices bear no absolute rights and wrongs, and they’re all theory anyhow against the backdrop of the trying, waiting, hope, and dejection of another unsuccessful cycle.

To this end, most reproductive centers offer some sort of counseling. Many of my clients have benefited greatly from these services to help with the grief from unfruitful IUI/IVF attempts or pregnancy loss. Their availability usually maxes out at 1 or 2 sessions, however, which is why continued mental health counseling with a licensed practitioner is so important. But these therapies still often don’t tend to employ a very holistic approach, focused on longterm wellbeing, which is where Holistic Health Counseling can be of benefit. I have coached many couples in various stages of their fertility journey, and understand the complexities of the decisions they face and the need for sustained self-care.

Much can be done from a holistic nutrition approach, not only to enhance fertility, but to truly promote the physical health and emotional wellbeing of the parents-to-be. As a Holistic Health Counselor, I’m here as a guide.

If this resonates with you, please contact me for a free 15 introductory session so we can discuss your concerns and how I can help.