Infertility:

refers to situations in which there has never been a previous conception. Secondary infertility is usually defined as inability to conceive after one or more previous conceptions.

The causes of infertility after a full medical workup are male factors (30 – 40%), female factors (30 – 40%), combined factors (30 – 40%), and unknown (10 – 15%).

Nutritional Supports:

Restricted Foods:

1. Sugars, refined sugars and sweets. They may impede blood circulation.
2. Saturated fats. They cause disturbances in blood flow.
3. Trans-fats.
4. Processed foods.
5. Fried foods.
6. Raw and uncooked meats.
7. Raw and uncooked eggs.
8. Alcohol. It reduces the numbers of sperms in men.
9. Caffeine. It may depletes the body from nutrients and has been linked to infertility.
10. Caffeinated beverages.  
11. Additives, preservatives, and food colorings.
12. Any soy products unless they are fermented such as miso and tempeh. Soy has estrogen mimicking properties.
13. MSG (monosodium glutamate)-containing foods.
14. Sodas.
15. Aspartame and other sweeteners.
16. Cottonseed oil (in men). It contains a phytonutrient named gossypol, which may lower infertility rate by affecting the motility of sperms.
17. Okra (in men). It contains a phytonutrient named gossypol, which may lower infertility rate by affecting the motility of sperms.
18. Cacao and coco beans (in men). It contains a phytonutrient named gossypol, which may lower infertility rate by affecting the motility of sperms.

Recommended Foods:

1. Plenty of water: at least 2 liters a day.
2. Whole grains.
3. Legumes.
4. Cold water fish: salmon, herring, and mackerel.
5. Enough protein: chicken, turkey and beef.
6. Fruits and vegetables high in flavonoids: berries, pomegranate, sea buckthorn, and green leafy vegetables (kale, parsley, coriander, and spinach), tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
7. Fruits and vegetables high in zinc: legumes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, liver and oysters.
8. Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin E: nuts, seeds, wheat germ, asparagus, and green leafy vegetables.
9. Foods high in nitric oxide (NO): beets, watermelon, cayenne pepper, dark chocolate, and soy products. NO improves blood flow.
10. Fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene: green leafy and orange-colored vegetables.
11. Fruits and vegetables high in proanthocyanidins: berries, pomegranate, eggplant, radish, radicchio, rhubarb, and red cabbage.
12. Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids: fish, flaxseed, chia, hemp seeds, and walnuts.

Recommended Supplements for Women:

1. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day. This powerful antioxidant improves blood flow.
2. Grape Seed Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day.
3. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 1 – 3 grams a day.
4. L – Arginine: 3 – 5 grams a day. This amino acid improves blood flow.
5. Vitamin C: 1 – 2 grams a day.
6. Vitamin E: 400 – 800 IU a day.
7. Vitex (Chasteberry Extract) (containing 0.5% anguside or 0.6% aucubin ): 160 – 240 mg day. Vitex can stimulate ovulation, inhibits prolactin secretin, and normalizes progesterone level.
8. L – Carnitine: 1000 – 2000 mg a day. It may be helpful in infertility resulted from endometriosis.
9. Vitamin D: 2000 – 5000 IU a day.
10. Propolis: 500 – 1000 mg a day. Women with endometriosis may benefit from this.
11. PABA (para – aminobenzoic acid): 200 – 1000 mg a day. It may help women with chronic infertility.
12. Digestive Enzymes: A full spectrum product.
13. Probiotics: A product that provides 5 to 10 billion active organisms per serving.
14. Multivitamins – Multiminerals: A high potency product.

Recommended Supplements for Men:

1. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day. This powerful antioxidant improves blood flow and sperm motility.
2. Grape seed extract: 100 – 200 mg a day.
3. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 1 – 3 grams a day.
4. L – Arginine: 3 – 5 grams a day. This amino acid improves blood flow and sperm count.
5. Vitamin C: 1 – 2 grams a day.
6. Vitamin E: 400 – 800 IU a day.
7. Zinc: 50 – 100 mg a day.
8. Selenium: 100 – 200 mcg a day. It improves sperm motility.
9. Glutathione: 300 – 500 mg a day. It may improve sperm count.
10. Panax Ginseng: 250 – 500 mg a day. This herb could increase sperm count and motility.
11. L – Carnitine: 2000 – 3000 mg a day. It improves sperm motility.
12. Co – Enzyme Q10: 300 mg a day. It may improve sperm motility.
13. Vitamin B12: 1000 – 2000 mcg. This vitamin increases sperm count.
14. SAMe (S – Adenosyl – L – Methionine): 400 – 800 mg a day.
15. Digestive Enzyme:. A full spectrum product.
16. Probiotics: A product that provides 5 to 10 billion active organisms per serving.
17. Multivitamins – Multiminerals: A high potency product.

Miscellaneous Suggestions:

1. Liver detoxification.
2. Colon cleansing.
3. Whole body cleansing.
4. Avoid smoking and recreational drugs.