Infertility affects one in six couples, according to studies in the U.S. and Europe. Research shows that lifestyle changes can help you in conceiving a child if your fertility is affected due to endometriosis, ovulation disorder or tubal disease. What you should eat to conceive a boy (son) or a girl (daughter)? Read the following.
Causes of Infertility
Age is the most crucial factor in getting pregnant. The difficulty of becoming pregnant increases if you are over 35 years. 1 in 3 women struggle to conceive over the age of 35. However, you can increase your chances by having a better understanding of your cycle and right time of the month to try. Ask your family doctor to explain when is best to conceive. Your doctor may suggest you to undergo for fertility test if you are struggling to conceive for 12 months.
Can mobiles make you infertile? In a recent study done at Jawaharlal Nehru University, 20 rats subjected to 2 hours of radiation for 25 days from mobile phones were found to have damaged DNA and low sperm count, leading to infertility and reduction in testis size. The research group will now undertake study on humans.
Coffee and Infertility Dutch researchers at the Radboud University in Nijmegan found that four cups of coffee a day can reduce the chances of getting pregnant by 26 per cent. So the women with fertility problems should stay away from drinking too much coffee.
Smoking and firtility The above study also noted that smoking more than one cigarette a day and being overweight also reduced the chances of pregnancy.
Fertility & Diet
No diet can ensure that you will all pregnant. However, it is a fact that human fertility is influenced by lifestyle and diet. It is influenced by nutrient imbalances and certain synthetic and organic chemicals which are sometimes present in foods and the environment.
women trying to fall pregnant should shift to a healthier lifestyle.
Foods and Diet for Fertility
Foods The foods most likely to enhance fertility are the fresh organic vegetables and fruits containing rich supplies of antioxidant nutrients. Include a selection of different colored items as following. Have a balanced diet each time. Green color: avocados, broccoli, herbs, limes, olives, mangoes, spinach, sprouts, watercress Red/Orange color: apples, beetroot, capsicum, carrots, grapes, tamarind, sweet potato, tomatoes Yellow color: bananas, capsicum, grapefruit, lemons, melon, saffron, squash, tomatoes, turmeric Dark color: blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cloves, olives, plums
Include foods rich in iron, omega-3 acids, dairy, and protein in your diet.
Lose weight: A healthy weight is one of the best things to increase a woman's chance of conceiving, according to Professor Stephen Colagiuri of the school of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences at Sydney University.
Limit saturated fats, trans-fats, refined sugar and salt.
Avoid alcohol, coffee and cigarette. You should stop taking these drugs at least 4 months before you plan to conceive. Alcohol lowers female fertility and increases defects in babies. Marijuana affects the menstrual cycle causing irregularity and sometimes stopping the cycle. It reduces the levels of needed hormones in men to make healthy sperm. Cocaine lowers sperm count and increases the incidence of abnormalities.
Try to aim for a 8 hours of sound sleep.
Conceiving a Boy or a Girl
Research in vitro fertilization shows that higher levels of glucose or sugar inhibit female embryos and encourage the growth and development of male embryos.
Fiona Mathews of the University of Exeter in Britain conducted a study on 740 first-time mothers to know the impact of woman's diet on the sex of her offspring. Based on the findings of this study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the following may be concluded:
To conceive a boy
Eat breakfast with high energy (calories) and a wider range of nutrients, including potassium, calcium and vitamins C, E and B12. Consume at least one bowl of breakfast cereal daily.
To conceive a girl
A low energy (calorie) diet with less minerals and nutrients is more likely to yield a female.
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