Improve Your Fertility With An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is like a fire inside the body.
Some inflammation is a normal part of life, and it is triggered by a wide variety of things: injuries, exercise, allergies, foods, metabolic issues, autoimmune diseases, endometriosis, etc. A healthy system will be able to manage a normal amount of inflammation.
When there is too much inflammation, it can cause a lot of damage.
Symptoms may include:
- Joint pain
- Painful periods
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Skin rashes
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itchiness
- Foggy headedness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Infertility
How does inflammation damage my fertility?
The body manages inflammation by secreting a steroid hormone known as cortisol, which is the body’s natural anti-inflammatory. Cortisol comes with side effects.
In terms of fertility, cortisol:
- disrupts hormonal balance
- suppresses the healthy maturation of eggs
- upsets normal menstrual cycles
- interferes with healthy implantation in the uterus
How can I reduce inflammation and improve my fertility?
The best way to decrease inflammation in the body is through eating an anti-inflammatory diet and taking a few supplements that can help lower inflammation.
What is an anti-inflammatory diet?
Some foods will trigger inflammation in everyone, and an anti-inflammatory diet avoids these foods:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Sugars
- Junk food
- Highly processed foods
So, what do I eat?
The best all-around anti-inflammatory diet is a Paleo diet.
Paleo is a whole foods approach that offers a lot of options yet avoids the foods that tend to create inflammation. There are many great resources available if you are new to a paleo diet, including the Whole30, which has books, a website, and lots of recipes available online.
A Paleo diet includes the following foods. Choose organic and hormone-free whenever possible:
- Meat
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Nuts and Seeds
- Fruit
Supplements to reduce inflammation:
In addition to eating an anti-inflammatory diet, taking certain supplements can go a long way in helping your body manage inflammation, reduce symptoms, and prevent the damage caused by inflammation.
An anti-inflammatory protocol might include:
- Omega 3 essential fatty acids, aka fish oil
- Curcumin
- Resveratrol
- Glutathione
Please visit our supplements page here to learn more about our recommend supplements for inflammation.
Summary
You deserve a clinician who will take the time to listen, understand your individual needs, and support you during your fertility journey. Someone who has experience. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and would like to work with our clinic, you can book here: https://theoldershawclinic.janeapp.com/
Leslie Oldershaw, L.Ac.
Medical director
Fertility Acupuncturist East Bay
www.TheOldershawClinic.com
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