Eat Organic
Taking steps to detoxify your system and giving it a nutrient boost can really increase your chance of conceiving. Start by eating organic food to reduce your exposure to hormones and pesticides. To reduce exposure to xenoestrogens (man-made compounds that can mimic the effects of oestrogen), don’t eat foods wrapped in plastic cling film, and drink water out of glass bottles rather than plastic. Do not buy bagged salad if you want to avoid any possible toxins/bacteria enclosed.
Help your liver
Cut out smoking and don’t microwave your food, which denatures it. Swap caffeine and tannin for herbal teas. Fresh ginger and/or lemon with hot water all help the liver to eliminate toxins. Boost your nutrient intake and aid bowel elimination by eating a rainbow assortment of 5-7 portions in total of vegetables and fruit daily, to get a good intake of health protecting compounds.
Make sure that you include protein and complex carbohydrates at each meal and eat a variety of whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat, rye, and spelt, in breads or pasta.
Eat Oily Fish
Essential fatty acids are vital to regulate hormones. Eat oily fish 3 times per week, including sardines, mackerel and herring, but not tuna, due to potential mercury content. Incorporate seeds into your daily diet such as flax, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame; you can use them in salads; grind them and add to porridge; or use the cold pressed oils in salad dressings.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E should be plentiful in your diet and can be found in cold pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ, sunflower and sesame seeds, and sardines. Fresh ginger root and some seeds are good sources of zinc which is also required.
Supplements
For supplements, focus on essential fatty acids: Omega 3 (EPA & DHA) 1000mg/day, and a good quality pregnancy multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. Opt for a probiotic which includes at least 8 billion probiotic cultures to help the body dispose of unwanted excess hormones.
Importantly, don’t overlook your general lifestyle: Walking is great for metabolism and stress reduction.
Written by Jacquie Lane, CNM Nutritional Therapist
