IMPROVING YOUR FERTILITY – GET THE BASICS RIGHT FIRST
The number of couples experiencing fertility problems is increasing exponentially. The reason for this increase in fertility problems is directly related to certain lifestyle changes that have taken place in the last 30 years. These lifestyle issues include an increased incidence of time urgency perfectionism (TUP)stress, poor dietary habits and poor nutrition. Smoking and Excessive alcohol has been shown to reduce infertility. Getting these lifestyle basics right will not only improve your fertility health but also your general health.
An embryo is created by the joining of a perfect egg (oocyte) and a perfect sperm. These 2 cells are matured in the female ovary and male testes respectively. The egg is released into the fallopian tube at the time of ovulation and waits for the arrival of multiple sperm cells that are released by ejaculation of semen into the female’s vagina and then travel through the cervix, uterus and fallopian tube to meet the egg.
The common causes of infertility in the female include:
1. Lack of ovulation or inadequate development of the egg – the commonest cause is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This condition is directly related to excessive stress, poor dietary habits and inadequate nutrient intake. The medical problems that are associated with PCOS include excessive levels of insulin ( hyperinsulinemia, metabolic syndrome), an under-active thyroid( hypothyroisism), raised prolactin ( hyper - prolactinemia) and low growth hormone levels. 80 % of patients presenting to Medfem Fertility Clinic have underlying PCOS. Each of these medical problems is treatable with medication. In order to enhance the response to medical treatment TUPS stress should be managed, a balanced eating plan started and Staminogro and Comegovite nutrients should be taken daily ( see detail below).
2. Endometriosis – is found in 90% of patients presenting to Medfem Fertility Clinic. This is a condition where endometrial cells (the same cells that are found in the cavity of the uterus) grow in the abdominal cavity around the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
These cells create a poor environment for egg development, poor mucous in the cervix, a thickened egg capsule reducing the ability of a sperm penetrating the egg and a reduced chance of the embryo implanting.
The common causes of male infertility are a reduced sperm count, an increased number of abnormal sperm and increased levels of immature sperm. The ongoing research carried out at Medfem Fertility Clinic shows that TUP stress, poor dietary habit and inadequate nutrients intake plays a decisive role in reducing male fertility.
Medfem Fertility Clinic offers world class advanced fertility treatment including laparoscopic fertility surgery and Assisted Reproduction including artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, assisted hatching and Pre- Genetic Embryo Biopsy.
However the philosophy of Medfem Fertility Clinic is to achieve a pregnancy as naturally as possible. This can be achieved by the infertile couple taking charge of their lifestyles.
By improving your lifestyle you will go a long way to improving your fertility.
The egg and sperm cells consist of:
* a cell A membrane which serves as a boundary between the cell and the outside environment;
* cytoplasm containing organelles;
* a nucleus containing hereditary material (DNA);
* mitochondria, where cellular respiration takes place (the break down of sugars) to produce energy for the cell, a process that uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water.
MITOCHONDRIA are now recognised as being central to tissue bioenergetics, as well as being involved in the ageing process.
Age-dependent changes in mitochondria are characterised by a high rate of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a declining capacity for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and decreased levels of cardiolipin, an essential phospholipid for normal mitochondrial function. If OXPHOS is not efficient then leakage of electrons leads to increased ROS. Mitochondria are therefore the main source of damaging free super-oxide radicals. The use of specific mitochondrial targeted anti-oxidants, Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Insulin Like Growth Factor (IGF), vitamins, aminoacid building blocks, vitamins and minerals all contribute to enhancing mitochondrial function, combating the ageing of cells and preventing ROS mediated tissue damage.
The sperm and egg cells are dependent on a continuous supply of hormones, carbohydrates, proteins, nutrients and micronutrients to create the perfect cell. To achieve the perfect egg and perfect sperm the couple is encouraged to control their TUP stress, eat a balanced diet and include Staminogro and Comega Vite in their daily nutrient intake.
- Controlling TUP stress – the infertile couple needs to carry out specific testing to see whether they have time urgency perfectionism stress. This can be assessed free of charge on the following website www.timeurgency.com. If a person has TUP stress then they can carry out the TUP stress management program online or at Medfem Fertility Clinic ( facilitated by Mandy Rodrigues a clinical fertility psychologist).
2. Eating a balanced diet – some pointers.
This must include 3 meals per day with 2 snacks per day in between meals.
Try to avoid snacking in between these 5 eating times.
Restrict the intake of junk foods including cool drinks, sweats, chocolates, potato crisps and excessive refined sugar.
The amount of food eaten should be restricted to your daily calorie requirement. Start by decreasing your serving by say 10- 20 %. Don’t have a second helping until you have waited 10 minutes – you will usually not want it.
- The following nutrients should be taken by both the male and female continuously until the couple has achieved a 12 week pregnancy.
STAMINOGRO – in a dosage of 4 tablets just before sleeping.
StaminoGro is designed to be a human growth hormone releaser, vitamin and mineral complex in a slow release matrix and has been specifically formulated to act as a potent Mitochondrial Enhancer. This action can lead to rejuvenation of mitochondria throughout the body, and can lead to a reversal of cellular ageing and could prevent the production of damaging free radicals, with cellular rejuvenation being the possible end result. The clinical application at Medfem Fertility Clinic has lead to improved egg quality and sperm morphology and sperm DNA maturity.
COMEGA VITE – in a dosage of 2 capsules just before sleeping.
A combination of Omega 3 and 6 Extra strength vegicaps.
Has been clinically shown to have an effect on endometriosis.
The philosophy of optimizing a couples lifestyle including managing timeurgency (TUP) stress, eating a balanced diet and the daily intake of both Staminogro and Comega Vite has been shown to increase fertility rates.
This philosophy will also improve your general health, improve your coping mechanisms, improve your relationships and reduce the chances of getting one or more of the so called dread diseases, including CANCER, CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, STROKE AND DIABETES