Natural Ways To Address Infertility

Infertility is an alarming modern epidemic affecting more couples than
ever. One out of six couples today experience difficulty achieving
pregnancy. What was once seen as a woman's problem is now known to
affect men equally.

The natural approach to treating infertility solves the root causes of
infertility by addressing all body systems, rather than just focusing
solely on the reproductive system. Many couples that can't become
pregnant suffer from a combination of sub-clinical conditions. These
conditions can't cause infertility on their own but, in combination,
they can substantially reduce a couple's probability of achieving
conception.

For example, gluten intolerance alone cannot cause infertility;
however, the resulting inflammation in the gut can minimise your
nutrient absorption and lead to deficiencies in the nutrients that you
need for optimal sperm, egg and hormone production and a healthy
pregnancy. Exposure to heavy metals, radiation and toxic chemicals in
some foods, drugs and other products can damage DNA. Recent
nutrigenomic (a study of the effects of nutrients on gene expression)
research suggests what we eat can influence our gene structure and
expression.

Exposure to toxic chemicals

Exposure to environmental toxins (in the form of industrial chemicals)
both in-utero and neonatally may dramatically affect adult fertility.
Most chemicals used in everyday life do not go through the same checks
medicines do. Consequently, poisonous chemicals end up circulating in
our environment, food supply, air and water.

The strongest evidence of heavy metals and environmental pollution
adversely interfering with healthy reproductive function in women has
been found for lead. Other compounds that can alter hormone function
and result in adverse reproductive health effects include:

*.Ovotoxicants: can disrupt or even stop ovulation.

*.Endocrine disruptors: can interfere with hormone function and cause
endometriosis and polycystic ovarian disease.

*.Phthalates: in plastic food containers, cling wrap, IV bags, medical
supplies, vinyl flooring and packaging at high levels have been
associated with miscarriage and testicular toxicity. At low levels,
they disrupt hormonal balance.

*.Polyvinyl chloride chemicals: used in rubber tires, plastics and pesticides.

*.Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon: released from cigarettes, car fumes
and road tar

Men are not spared

Sperm seems to be more sensitive to heavy metals and industrial
pollutants than eggs. Many sperm abnormalities have been linked to
these toxins. The majority of these chemicals can be found in the
atmosphere, on the ground in cities and in the waterways. They have
also been termed "reprotoxicants" for their negative effects on sperm
development and maturation.

Studies confirm that male sperm counts are declining, and
environmental factors such as pesticides, exogenous estrogens
(Xenoestrogens), and heavy metals may negatively impact formation of
sperm.

Six environmental toxins to avoid

Pesticides:found on non-organic fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy and
unfiltered tap water

Formaldehyde:found in air fresheners, deodorants, floor polish,
upholstery cleaners

Bisphenols:found in plastic containers and can leach into food and water.

Organic solvents:petroleum-based liquids found in household products,
electronics, car repair, health care, photography, agriculture,
printing, construction and cosmetics, dry-cleaning chemicals, paint
fumes and many more. Occasional exposure to one or the other toxic
chemical is not of concern. What is of concern is accumulation of
these chemicals over a long period.

Unfiltered tap water:Our waterways are constantly being polluted by
industrial waste and byproducts, pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides,
herbicides and commercial cleaning products. There are many companies
polluting the water, regardless of the country you live in. Either
there is no environmental law at all, or there are loopholes in the
law or there is no law for a particular chemical getting into the
water.

Heavy metals: these are the most common of the reprotoxins reaching
our water supply through industrial waste, jet fuel exhaust residue
and a variety of other sources. Pharmaceutical drugs are commonly
found in tap water.

Seventy-four per cent of the U.S. population takes prescription drugs.
But because the drugs do not metabolise fully, small quantities are
excreted via faeces and urine and flushed away. Toilet water is often
treated and filtered before being discharged into lakes and rivers,
thereby re-entering the water supply.