Nutrition and fertility

Preconception nutrition plays a crucial role in fertility, which is the ability to conceive. What we eat before getting pregnant can significantly affect our chances of getting pregnant. Our reproductive performance can be influenced by the foods we eat and our overall nutrition.

Eating too many or too few calories and not getting enough protein can disrupt our body weight and affect how our ovaries function, making it harder to get pregnant. Research has shown that diets low in sugars and rich in nutrients are linked to a lower risk of fertility problems, especially issues with ovulation.

One important factor that can affect fertility is inflammation, which is when our body's immune system responds to things like infections or injuries. Prolonged inflammation can disrupt menstrual cycles, make it harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus, and contribute to conditions like endometriosis and recurrent miscarriage. In men, inflammation can also affect sperm quality, which is important for fertility.

Following a healthy diet that reduces inflammation, like mediterranean diet or an anti-inflammatory diet, may help improve fertility for both men and women before trying to conceive. These diets typically involve eating foods that are rich in nutrients and low in sugars and unhealthy fats, like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and fish.

However, more research is needed to fully understand how these dietary patterns affect fertility. Overall, paying attention to our diet and making healthy food choices before getting pregnant can increase our chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby.