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Can a Nutritionist Help with Fertility?
Nutrition and lifestyle choices have a significant impact on virtually all physiological processes within our bodies, influencing hormones and fertility.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics writes that a healthy diet can positively affect fertility in ways that are not clear. Likewise, healthy eating prepares your body for pregnancy.
It’s important to understand that there is no such thing as a fertility diet. Magical claims and quick fixes are gimmicks and most likely unfounded. There are, however, eating plans and patterns that can be beneficial to both men and women (infertility is common in both men and women at the same rates).
By working with a dietitian nutritionist, you can implement an individualized diet plan that can help you feel healthier, more energized, and possibly optimize fertility.
What are the most common causes of infertility in women?
Infertility is common, affecting approximately 20% of women from ages 15 – 49. You are not alone. Infertility can be caused by several physical and environmental factors, including:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), which is caused by extreme levels of exercise, weight loss, high levels of stress, or a combination of all three.
- Hypothyroidism
- Poor nutrition
If you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year, please consult with your primary care physician. There might be underlying causes for infertility that you are not aware of.
What are the most common causes of infertility in men?
Both medical and lifestyle choices can influence male infertility. Lifestyle factors like substance abuse, body weight, heat exposure, and toxins can all affect sperm production and motility.
How can a nutritionist help with fertility?
The registered dietitians on our team specialize in providing our patients with highly personalized nutrition care.
Diet and lifestyle modifications can help both women and men who struggle with infertility. By working with one of our fertility specialists, we can guide you to make the best nutrition choices to help you with natural conception and/or ART. Likewise, any nutrition plan can reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Together, we will:
- Analyze your diet and eating habits.
- Provide you with a comprehensive diet and nutrition review.
- Provide you with targeted nutrition interventions to help manage reproductive health conditions like PCOS, thyroid problems, metabolic issues, gut health problems, and more.
- Help you reach a healthy weight to optimize fertility and support your assisted reproductive technology (ART) path.
- Promote incorporating physical activity and strength training in your life. Excessive or insufficient body fat can affect hormone function.
- Limit ultra-processed foods, as they are proven to affect fertility.
Through personalized nutrition care, we can help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and labor.
In our NYC Nutrition Group practice, many of us have also experienced fertility challenges and gone through ART. In a world of misinformation, “fertility detoxes”, and fad diets, we provide you with evidence-based nutrition information and a safe place for you to improve your relationship with food and your body. We use Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to take the guesswork out of your diet, making sure it actually fits into your busy life.
