Conceiving a child may seem like a simple process, however, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 7.3 million couples struggle with fertility issues. Although technology has made great advances in helping couples conceive, there are other actions that can help increase a couple’s chance at conception, such as nutritional counseling. Nutritional counseling can help couples make changes in their lifestyle to enhance the complex conception process. There are several myths and facts about nutritional counseling and infertility, and it may be difficult to sort through them.
Myth: Diet Is Only Important while Pregnant
Fact: Even before conception, diet is very important to the reproductive process. Successful conception depends on a complicated network of hormonal balance, and it can be disrupted easily with the wrong dietary choices. It is recommended all refined foods and sugar be eliminated from the diet in order to foster blood sugar control. Level blood sugar encourages regular ovulation and better egg quality.
Myth: Vegetarians Conceive More Easily
Fact: The fact is, many vegans and vegetarians do not get enough protein in their diet to support a healthy conception and pregnancy. Additionally, vital nutrients such as folic acid, iron, B12 and zinc may also be missing from a vegetarian diet. This can lead to a range of problems such as problems in conceiving, miscarriage and birth defects. For the purpose of having a child, nutritional counseling can help modify a diet to accommodate both a chosen lifestyle and the conception process.
Myth: Herbal Supplements Are Ineffective
Fact: While there is not a lot of conclusive medical evidence about herbal and nutritional supplements positively affecting conception, there is quite a bit of anecdotal and supportive evidence suggesting many herbal substances and nutritional supplements can significantly help the conception process. Nutritional counseling with a trained professional in herbal remedies, or the issues affecting a couple struggling with infertility issues, can greatly enhance the chances for a successful conception.
Myth: Only Women Need to be Concerned with Nutrition
Fact: A man’s reproductive health is just as dependent on good nutrition as a woman’s. The health and motility of the sperm is imperative to the process of conceiving a child. Nutritional counseling can advise a man on the dietary changes needs to make in order to produce the healthiest sperm possible. Even small changes in diet, such as increasing the amount of water consumed, can increase sperm count and motility. Without healthy sperm, conception is impossible.
Conceiving a child is a very delicate process. It's dependent on a variety of different factors, some of which are controllable and some which are not. For couples who are struggling with infertility issues, sometimes nutritional counseling can help make all the difference for a successful attempt. Before investing in expensive medical procedures, it makes sense to do everything within reason to enhance the chances as much as possible.
