Caffeine
* Higher levels of caffeine on the range of 300 mg and more a day have shown to be associated with lower fertility rates. What is 300 mg of caffeine? About 3 cups of coffee. Each cup of coffee is equivalent to approximately 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeinated soda drinks (which should be avoided anyway) such as Coke and Mountain Dew contain around 50 to 80 mg of caffeine per 20 oz bottle. Avoid the caffeine altogether if you can... if you need your fix, just make sure you are monitoring your intake and not exceeding 200 mg of caffeine a day at the most.
High Sugar Foods, Carbonated Soft-drinks and Pasteurized Juice
* Spikes of sugar from candy, soft-drinks and juices have a negative impact on fertility. There is an interconnected hormonal system that is in play and so you want to eat low-glycemic index carbohydrates (i.e. complex carbs such as spaghetti, oatmeal, quinoa, etc) rather than refined sugars found in pastries, candy bars and the previous mentioned offenders. Avoid artificial sweeteners. Aspartame in particular is a bad bad player in the fertility game and your health in general. Safe alternative sweeteners are agave nectar, stevia, maple syrup and honey.
Alcohol Consumption
* Research shows that alcohol can decrease fertility significantly in women. Women who had 2 drinks of alcohol per day were shown to have a 60% decrease in conception. All women plan to stay abstinent from alcohol DURING pregnancy but many are unaware that drinking while trying to conceive may be frustrating their chances. Abstinence for men is also advises if fertility is difficult as alcohol decreases the male sperm count... it also decreases testosterone and increases estrogen.
Smoking
* Smoking decreases fertility rates for not only women but for potential fathers. So ladies, if your guy smokes and you are having problems conceiving, try to convince him to quit so he can get his 'swimmers' in full vitality and quantity.
Soy Products
* Soy has been researched and documented to mimic the effects of estrogen within the body. Your body perceives these molecules as estrogen and being that your body's hormonal system is regulated on how much perceived estrogen is in your system, this can cause hormonal swings and imbalances that contribute to lower fertility. Avoid those processed soy foods including soy milk, soy burgers/patties, soy cheeses, soy protein powders... you get the point. Men as well as women are affected by soy.
Foods from Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMO )
* GMO's or genetically modified organisms are humans attempt to use nature to manipulate nature and has resulted in some emerging health consequences. It has been strongly suspected that fertility rates are decreased with the increase of GMO foodstuffs in one's diet. Avoid eating GMO food and research these commonly modified foods and ingredients. Look for the Non-GMO label on relevant products.
Fat-Free Foods
* Why is this bad you are asking? Well, if these foods are being advertised as fat-free it usually indicates that it isn't naturally fat-free which further indicates that it has been processed to remove that fat. Remember, we want to avoid processed foods. This leaves the food devoid of its natural fat content and higher in sugars. Studies (conducted at Harvard) showed that fertility rates increased with full fat spectrum dairy products as opposed to their low-fat, processed counterparts. It is important to know that fats are crucial building blocks for hormones... and hormones regulate fertility.
* Higher levels of caffeine on the range of 300 mg and more a day have shown to be associated with lower fertility rates. What is 300 mg of caffeine? About 3 cups of coffee. Each cup of coffee is equivalent to approximately 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeinated soda drinks (which should be avoided anyway) such as Coke and Mountain Dew contain around 50 to 80 mg of caffeine per 20 oz bottle. Avoid the caffeine altogether if you can... if you need your fix, just make sure you are monitoring your intake and not exceeding 200 mg of caffeine a day at the most.
High Sugar Foods, Carbonated Soft-drinks and Pasteurized Juice
* Spikes of sugar from candy, soft-drinks and juices have a negative impact on fertility. There is an interconnected hormonal system that is in play and so you want to eat low-glycemic index carbohydrates (i.e. complex carbs such as spaghetti, oatmeal, quinoa, etc) rather than refined sugars found in pastries, candy bars and the previous mentioned offenders. Avoid artificial sweeteners. Aspartame in particular is a bad bad player in the fertility game and your health in general. Safe alternative sweeteners are agave nectar, stevia, maple syrup and honey.
Alcohol Consumption
* Research shows that alcohol can decrease fertility significantly in women. Women who had 2 drinks of alcohol per day were shown to have a 60% decrease in conception. All women plan to stay abstinent from alcohol DURING pregnancy but many are unaware that drinking while trying to conceive may be frustrating their chances. Abstinence for men is also advises if fertility is difficult as alcohol decreases the male sperm count... it also decreases testosterone and increases estrogen.
Smoking
* Smoking decreases fertility rates for not only women but for potential fathers. So ladies, if your guy smokes and you are having problems conceiving, try to convince him to quit so he can get his 'swimmers' in full vitality and quantity.
Soy Products
* Soy has been researched and documented to mimic the effects of estrogen within the body. Your body perceives these molecules as estrogen and being that your body's hormonal system is regulated on how much perceived estrogen is in your system, this can cause hormonal swings and imbalances that contribute to lower fertility. Avoid those processed soy foods including soy milk, soy burgers/patties, soy cheeses, soy protein powders... you get the point. Men as well as women are affected by soy.
Foods from Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMO )
* GMO's or genetically modified organisms are humans attempt to use nature to manipulate nature and has resulted in some emerging health consequences. It has been strongly suspected that fertility rates are decreased with the increase of GMO foodstuffs in one's diet. Avoid eating GMO food and research these commonly modified foods and ingredients. Look for the Non-GMO label on relevant products.
Fat-Free Foods
* Why is this bad you are asking? Well, if these foods are being advertised as fat-free it usually indicates that it isn't naturally fat-free which further indicates that it has been processed to remove that fat. Remember, we want to avoid processed foods. This leaves the food devoid of its natural fat content and higher in sugars. Studies (conducted at Harvard) showed that fertility rates increased with full fat spectrum dairy products as opposed to their low-fat, processed counterparts. It is important to know that fats are crucial building blocks for hormones... and hormones regulate fertility.
About the Author:
Looking to find the best information on understanding fertility, then visit www.folliclestimulatinghormone.net to find out healthy levels and consequences of follicle stimulating hormone.
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