Infertility is an alarming modern
epidemic affecting more couples than ever. It is said that one out of
six married women today experience difficulty getting pregnant. What was
once seen as a feminine problem is now known to affect men too.
The natural approach to treating
infertility solves the root causes of the problem by addressing all the
systems of the human body, rather than just focusing 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 woman’s chances of conception.
Continue reading after the cut......
For example, although gluten intolerance
alone cannot cause infertility, the resulting inflammation in the gut
can minimise your nutrient absorption and lead to deficiencies in
nutrients 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 that what we eat can influence our gene structure and
expression.
Minimise your exposure to toxic chemicals
Exposure to environmental toxins (in the
form of industrial chemicals) in utero and neonatal period may
dramatically affect adult fertility. Most chemicals used in everyday
life do not go through the same checks that 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 interfere with hormone function and cause endometriosis and PCOS (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 (PVC) chemicals used in rubber tires, plastics and pesticides.
- PAH (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
waterways. They have also been described as ‘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 on
spermatogenesis (formation of sperm).
Top environmental toxins to avoid
Pesticides found on non-organic fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products and unfiltered tap water.
Formaldehyde found in air fresheners, deodorants, floor polish and upholstery cleaners.
Bisphenols found in plastic containers.
Organic solvents found in petroleum
based liquids found in household products, electronics, car repair,
health care, photography, agriculture, printing, construction and
cosmetics.
Dry-cleaning chemicals in paint fumes
Occasional exposure to one or the other
toxic chemical is not of concern. What is of concern is the accumulation
of these chemicals over a long period.
Don’t drink 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. It is either there is no
environmental law at all or there is no law to prevent the XYZ chemical
getting into the water.
Heavy metals 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. About 74 per cent of the US population
takes prescription drugs.
Since 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.
The trouble is that many drugs are not
filtered out via the regular filtration process. Minute quantities of
chemotherapy drugs, contraceptive pills, antidepressants, anxiolytics,
anabolic steroids, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and heart drugs
have been found in tap water.
Culled - Punch
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