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What a woman eats may affect her fertility

The typical American lifestyle may have a negative effect on fertility.

The food we eat, the stress that we are under, lack of sleep, weight gain and an older age before attempting pregnancy all reduce fertility (men and women).

The treatment of infertility can be frustrating and expensive, often with out-of-pocket expenses exceeding $20,000.

Two common risk factors of infertility include obesity and an older age before pregnancy. It is of interest that recent medical study demonstrates that taking vitamin C, beta-carotene and in some cases vitamin E significantly reduces the incidence of infertility.

There is a growing body of research to indicate that what we eat affects fertility. Diets that are rich in antioxidants seem to be important for overall health including fertility.

The level of oxidative stress in an individual is associated with most types of infertility. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of harmful molecules called free radicals and our ability to detoxify them. Antioxidants, molecules that our bodies make and are often found in our foods, prevent the damage caused by free radicals.

Interestingly, being overweight and an older age increases the risk of damage from free radicals. Other medical studies have demonstrated that women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of infertility, generally have a lower level of antioxidants compared to those without polycystic ovary syndrome.

Unfortunately, current dietary recommendations for women who are trying to get pregnant are quite limited. As a result, even though pregnancy increases the demand for vitamins and other nutrients, there is no standard, except for folic acid, for physicians to recommend and for women to follow.

In a recent study published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, it was demonstrated that an increased intake of vitamin C, beta-carotene and, in certain groups, vitamin E significantly reduced the amount of time needed for pregnancy among a group of women who were being treated for infertility and did not have any structural reason for infertility. Four hundred and thirty-seven women were enrolled in the study and their dietary intake of a number of nutritional parameters including vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E were followed over time.

During the study interval, two hundred and seventy-three women became pregnant (62 percent) simply after increasing their intake of antioxidants. In women with a body mass index of less than 25 and younger than 35 years old, increased intake of vitamin C and beta-carotene decreased the amount of time before pregnancy.

In women with a body mass index greater than 25 and older than 35, increased intake of vitamin E enhanced fertility. A body mass index of less than 25 is considered to be healthy whereas a body mass index greater than 25 is considered to be overweight.

As a safe and healthy alternative, a diet that is rich in specific antioxidants may increase the possibility of pregnancy and prevent expensive fertility treatments.

• Patrick B. Massey, MD, PH.D., is medical director for complementary and alternative medicine at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network and president of ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy, 1544 Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village. His website is www.alt-med.org.

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