Free Conference Call Next Monday

The Basics of Fertility Enhancement

Q&A with Dr. Randine Lewis

Monday January 30th at 7 p.m. EST

I strongly believe that even just finding out about The Fertile Soul has a powerful, ripple, helpful effect, especially for those who cannot travel, but who nevertheless read – and listen– ask questions, wonder, benefit, and grow, grow, grow. L.H.

I am looking forward to a rich retreat in January, where we will focus on aging, overwhelm, and turning into the wellspring of deep inner guidance. In this inner sanctuary there is no aging or overwhelm. When we can reside in this place, a more fertile response to life is possible, which of course, is reflected in our reproductive response. Our New York session filled up quickly, but we do have openings in February in my hometown of Asheville, NC, February 17-20th, where our focus will expand to include welcoming in the year of the Dragon, a powerful and dynamic expression of the Chinese New Year. We will use this power to deeply connect with the life-giving source within. I love witnessing the power of retreat participants as they learn to live the miracle!

We will also offer a free conference call on Monday, January 30th at 7 p.m. EST. I will go over some fertility basics and open the call up to your questions and answers. I hope you will be able to join us – whether you are new to the Fertile Soul or have already embraced this process. I look forward to connecting with you.

To Join in dial 605-475-4000 then access code 794774#.  Those calling from Canada should call 805-360-1075 and then you will be prompted to enter the original number and access code.

It may require some lifestyle and pantry changes, but the way it changes your life is absolutely potent. Most who need it, lose a significant amount of weight. Their energy levels improve. They need less sleep, and are less stressed. And, according to a new study (albeit in rodents), better egg quality in older women.

Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11, Health & Wellness, D3

Aging and fertility: Restricting calories in women nearing the end of their reproductive years may prolong fertility and reduce chromosomal defects in offspring, research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests.

U.S. researchers followed two groups of female mice from three months to one year of age, when their fertility normally declines. One group was kept on a 40% calorie-restricted diet for 7 months and then allowed to feed freely. Control mice had no feeding restrictions.

The number of healthy unfertilized oocytes, or eggs, was significantly lower in control mice than calorie-restricted mice, the study found. Spindle abnormalities, which can lead to chromosomal errors, also increased in control oocytes from less than 10% at three months to almost 65% at 12 months. No abnormalities were detected in oocytes from calorie-restricted mice. The study also identified a gene that regulates oocyte quality.

Caveat: The effects of calorie restriction on human reproduction haven’t been tested.

The diet:

Cut out all refined sugars and sugar substitutes

Cut out wheat and all refined carbohydrates (eliminate gluten if gluten sensitive)

Cut out milk and cow’s dairy

Cut out all hormonally treated animal products

And, if you can…

Cut out caffeine (even decaffeinated coffee, although herbal tea is fine)

Cut out alcohol

This does not have to be life-long dietary change, although most people simply will not go back to the sluggish way of eating and feeling after they have tried this a few months.

PCOS GUIDELINES

Reduce consumption of sugar, refined carbohydrates and all nonfat and lowfat dairy products. Include protein with each carbohydrate serving. Do not adhere to “low fat” diets.

Supplements that stabilize blood sugar levels:

Chlorophyll

Inositol

NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

Chromium Picolinate

Bitter melon

Fenugreek

Glucofunction (pure encapsulation)

ALA (alpha lipoic acid – sensitizes cells to insulin, helps liver detox) 200 ug/day

Shan Yao, Fu Ling mops up excess insulin

Palmetto for excess testosterone, undermines LH – Bai shao, Sheng Ma, Gan Cao helps reduce LH levels, too.

ENDOMETRIOSIS GUIDELINES

Reduce consumption of red meat and all hormonally treated animal products, including dairy.

Supplements which help reduce the internal inflammatory reaction to the endometrial cells include:

Full complement of antioxidants (Vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12, and the minerals zinc and selenium)

OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins)

Fish oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil

Wobenzym, Vitalzym – enzymes to help reduce inflammatory reactions: take between meals on an empty stomach

Nattokinase – breaks down clots once they have formed

Lower abdominal massage with topical application of castor oil (with frankincense and/or myrrh essential oils)

Herbs like Tao Ren, Hong Hua,

IMMUNOLOGIC ISSUES

No sugar, wheat, dairy.

Take glutathione for gluten sensitivity. Reduce all gluten containing grains.

Supplement with those for endometriosis

Include Wobenzym and Nattokinase or Vitalzym Extra Strength, between meals.

Take baby aspirin.

Take PABA along with B vitamins and at least 1000 ug Folic acid.

Take 250 mg. of OPC per day.

Take 2-3 capsultes of Biomega (Fish Oil) per day.

ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE, POOR OVARIAN RESPONSE, POOR EGG QUALITY DIAGNOSIS

Femoral massage to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus

Supplement the diet with wheat grass juice

Royal jelly

Co-Enzyme Q-10

Supplements to boost the essence – dong chong xia cao, tu si zi, fu pen zi, gou qi zi, che qian zi, wu wei zi, lu jiao jiao,

DHEA and L-Arginine can be used for Kidney yang vacuity without heat signs.

SPERM COUNT

Do not use a laptop on the lap or cell phone worn at the waist (there are new studies to back this up)

Avoid tight underwear, hot tubs, and excessive bike-riding, all which increase scrotal temperature and can reduce sperm counts.

Avoid concentrated soy supplements, non-organic produce, and hormonally treated animal products.

Full complement of antioxidants (Vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12, and the minerals zinc and selenium)

Amino Acids L-Arginine and L-Carnitine

Co-Enzyme Q10

Fish oil supplements

OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) – when morphology is poor

Ginseng can increase sperm count when testosterone levels are low (do not take ginseng if you have a history of high blood pressure)

Cornus helps to improve sperm motility

Eliminate microwaveable packaged foods, tetrapak products.

Include as many organic fruits and vegetables (especially locally grown) as possible.

Include plant protein, followed by organic eggs, fish, poultry, and then (non-hormonally treated) pork or beef.

Make room temperature water your primary beverage. Instead of plastic bottles (many of which contain PCBs) use filtered tap water.

OPC is a three letter acronym for Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, more commonly known as super antioxidants. Twenty times stronger than Vitamin C, these super antioxidants require antioxidants like vitamin C and E to be present in the diet before they can enhance the effects of the antioxidants.

OPCs are known to improve circulation, enhance a healthy immune system, neutralize free radicals and  other effects of stress in the blood.

The combination of OPC that I recommend (OPC-EVO) contains:

Bilberry Powder     30 mg
Citrus Bioflavanoids     30 mg
Grape seed extract     30 mg
Pine Bark Extract     30 mg
Resveratrol Extract 20%     30 mg

I started using OPC in clinical practice in patients whose reproductive doctors would not allow them to be on herbs during a hormonally stimulated cycle. I felt strongly that many patients could benefit from a blood moving, immune enhancing, stress reducing addition to their diet, and most doctors allowed this nutritional supplement.

Not only did it seem to improve circulation to the reproductive organs, it also seemed to help with implantation rates and sperm morphology issues.  I recommend OPC for anyone who has the TCM diagnosis of:

Blood stasis
Blood heat
Spleen qi deficiency
Liver qi stagnation

It also reduces internal inflammatory reactions and is helpful with gynecological issues like endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids. Although I am no longer trying to conceive, I continue to take OPCs. The slight blood thinning effect seems to help improve the oxygenation of my blood, and give me more energy.

*For more information and to purchase OPC from our Fertile Soul Store: http://thefertilesoul.com/shop/herbs/nutritional-supplements

 In the Western world one in five couples has difficulty conceiving a child. Their subfertility often results from less than optimal health. Our bodies carry deep evolutionary wisdom, including innate protective mechanisms that can safeguard our own health and that of future generations by not allowing us to conceive until we are in good health.

Endometriosis, ovarian failure, poor quality eggs, recurrent miscarriage and otherdegenerative diseases and causes of poor reproductive health have become widespread. In many cases, they result from our cells not getting the nutrition they require. Our bodies cannot cope with the high amounts of processed and refined foods, environmental toxins, and persistent stress in our lives. We are part of nature, yet our way of living is far from what nature intends. 

More and more studies show that good nutrition and healthy life habits can increase conception rates. Beyond fertility, healthful lifestyle practices can also prevent and heal disease. When our body systems don’t work as efficiently as they could, one of the best ways to support their highest function is to nourish them.  

For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has used dietary therapy to correct imbalances and support hormonal and reproductive harmony and overall wellness. Sun Si-miao, a famous doctor of Chinese medicine, believed the most important therapy was regulating a patient’s diet. Dietary therapy could then be enhanced with acupuncture and herbal treatment. 

Chinese medicine considers the ability to bring forth life to be a woman’s natural state from the time of menarche until she reaches menopause. Sub-fertility results from imbalances within the network of organs, hormones and energy systems within a woman’s body; recent studies and thousands of years of experience have demonstrated that many of these imbalances are correctible. 

-Kathryn Flynn (Cooking for Fertility) 

Yields 12-15 cookies
Cooking time: 15 minutes

1 cup brown rice flour

½ cup tapioca flour

½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

¾ cup rolled oats

½ tsp xantham gum

¼ cup melted clarified butter/ghee

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup agave nectar

¼ cup dark chocolate chips

¼ cup pumpkin seeds, crushed

1/8 cup goji berries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flours and oat, coconut and xantham in a bowl. Next add melted butter, vanilla and agave nectar mixing until thoroughly combined. Finally add chocolate chips, goji berries and pumpkin seeds and chill in the refrigerator about one hour. Drop spoonfuls of dough unto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven, and leave on pan for an additional 5 minutes.