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We all know that it takes two healthy individuals to make a healthy baby. However sometimes, no matter how healthy we are, it can still be difficult to get pregnant. Recent studies show fertility can be affected by other common factors that might not have thought about. If you are planning to get pregnant or already trying, try making these 5 easy changes to help increase your body's fertility.
1. Reduce Stress If you are experiencing difficulties conceiving, a trip to the acupuncturist, massage therapist, or a yoga class could be beneficial; a recent study published in the journal Human Reproduction found that high stress levels have been linked with an increased risk of infertility. Researchers found that women with high levels of alpha-amylase (a hormone associated with your sympathetic nervous system) had a 29% lower chance of pregnancy and were 2x more at risk for infertility than women with low alpha-amylase levels. While we can't usually take off from work, forget the other kids, or our partners to slow down and relax a little, we can spend a few minutes to meditate, stretch, go for a walk in nature, or give ourselves a mini massage regardless of where we are. All of these things can help reduce stress levels and improve fertility. 2. Cut out Junk Food When you are not eating the right combinations of nutrients (Folate, monounsaturated fats, zinc, vitamin D, and B6), you could be paralyzing your body’s ability to regulate your reproductive hormones like progesterone, insulin, and testosterone. A nutrition plan high in leafy greens, lean proteins, and healthy fats is very important to help boost your fertility potential. In addition to a healthy diet being important, the time of day you eat is also very important. Clinical Science recently published that eating a nutritious breakfast daily, that is calorically dense helps improve fertility. 3.Eliminate Artificial Light at Night When is the last time you went to sleep without checking your phone, reading on your Kindle, or sending that last email only minutes before hitting the pillow? Most people are aware that the light emitted from our electronics can mess up our sleep cycles, throwing our Circadian rhythm off. According to research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, artificial nighttime light exposure can harm both your ability to conceive and fetal development if you’re already pregnant. Exposure after dark to light exposure can limit melatonin production, a hormone that aids sleep, that’s also produced in the reproductive tract and helps block eggs from damaging free radicals, particularly during ovulation. When not enough melatonin is produced, a disruption may occur in a developing fetus’ internal clock, resulting in long-term problems, researchers suggest. Make sure face alarm clocks away from your face or cover them with a pillow, and power down electronics at least an hour before bed.
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Despite significant advances in the treatment of cardiovascular
(heart) disease, it is still the leading cause of death in the United States. Did you know that Diabetes, especially Type 2 Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease? Death from heart disease is 2-4 times more likely in adults with diabetes than their counterparts without diabetes. There are several known factors that can increase your risk of developing and potentially dying from heart disease. Some of those include being male, obesity(especially weight in the abdomen), using any form of tobacco, and having higher total and bad LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. These are all considered “classic” risk factors and are commonly monitored by healthcare professionals. There are other biological markers that can be watched to get a larger picture of what is really going on in your body with your heart and blood vessels. One must remember that these additional markers and tests are not as thoroughly researched as the above mentioned markers, but they may provide additional information that may prove useful in certain situations. This is particularly true when “classic” markers give mixed signals. What exactly is a biological marker? Biomarkers are considered an “indicator of normal body processes, disease-related processes, or response to a therapeutic intervention.” Diabetes Self-management May/June 2013. The relationship of any such measurement to health or disease is established through scientific studies involving both healthy and sick individuals. This implies that as we continue to do research any one of the following biomarkers may gain or wane in its importance. Experts are still trying to determine if early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease based on cardiovascular biomarkers is useful in delaying or preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease. One of the most commonly used cardiovascular biomarkers is High Sensitivity C-reactive protein. This marker is an indicator of inflammation and may indicate the presence of atherosclerosis, a fatty buildup of the arteries. Out of all of the currently used biomarkers, High Sensitivity C-reactive protein has the greatest connection between elevated levels of the protein and heart disease and future cardiac events (Heart attacks and strokes). It is commonly found that people with diabetes have elevated levels of this protein. B-type Natriuretic Peptide. This biomarker is most frequently used to help detect and determine the severity of congestive heart failure. B-type natriuretic peptides are released into the blood in order to help the heart which enlarges as a response to not being able to adequately pump blood through the body. Enlargement of the heart is common with heart failure. A tendency towards elevated levels of this peptide would correspond with the risk of heart failure. Some studies have suggested that decreases in this biomarker can be beneficial. Adiponectin is hormone that aids in controlling blood glucose levels and the breakdown of fats in the body. Though various studies have been done scientists are still not exactly sure why reduced levels of Adiponectin are associated with various “classic” risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. It is good to remember that there are very few cardiovascular biomarkers that are being used at the present time and not all of these will be used by every healthcare professional. However, since these tests may yield greater information as to your cardiovascular risk before other “classic” risk factors are present, especially if you have diabetes, it doesn’t hurt to ask your health care provider to do some or all of these tests. If you fall into a high risk group for cardiovascular disease, try some of the following tips to help prevent cardiovascular disease. 1. Ask questions. Education is a very powerful tool to have on your side. Especially if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease or you have diabetes. 2. Understand Biomarkers. By understanding which biomarker tests may be most beneficial to your particular situation, you will know exactly what to ask your doctor for. 3. Gather Information. Check out www.labtestsonline.org 4. Know the “classic” risk factors and how they affect you. 5. Develop habits for heart healthy eating, including portion control for weight and blood glucose control. 6. Participate in regular physical activity. Please contact your health care provider before beginning an exercise program. 7. Minimize risky behaviors. Quit smoking, chewing, or any other form of tobacco use.  Did you know that stress combined with a sedentary jobs increases your risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders? Would you believe that brief moments of guided meditation and yoga at your desk can help reduce your stress?? As little as 15 minutes to be exact.
A recent small study including just 20 people who were taken through each of the following; a guided meditation, yoga, and allowed to continue working without interruption. Each intervention lasted 15 minutes and there was a day between each of the interventions. Different stress markers were tested at the baseline, during the 15 minute interventions, and 15 minutes after. Different measures were recorded such as perceived stress, blood pressure, respiration rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Analysis of the data showed both yoga and meditation reduced perceived stress (the mental aspect) plus the effect continued after the post-intervention period. The markers for physical stress tended to return to the baseline levels with the exception of respiratory rates following chair yoga. While the study was relatively small, its results conclude that there is no harm in implementing a basic 15 minute chair routine at least once a day, especially if you are in a sedentary career. More studies need to be conducted but one can assume the data suggests that the level of productivity, improved employee health, job performance, job satisfaction, and absenteeism could be positively affected by the implementation of workplace yoga and meditaiton. The following link will provide you with a variety of chair yoga poses you can try. http://yoga.about.com/od/yogasequences/tp/Chair-Yoga-Poses.htm |
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