Nutritional Advice For Infertility

Women facing fertility challenges are often told that certain vitamins and dietry adjustments can restore hormonal function, reduce FSH levels, and ultimately help them get pregnant. Yet many women cut out red meat, refined sugars, and dairy products for a few weeks or supplement their diets with large doses of vitamins and don't notice a bit of difference.

It is well documented that body fat content has an effect on our fertility, lesser know known is how much role nutrition plays in our reproductive health.

Chinese tradition recognizes food as our main energy source. The spleen converts food into usable energy (including Chi, Blood, and Essence). Each food has different energetic qualities. For example hot spicy foods are more Yang in nature, while sweet foods are more Yin. Some foods build up the Blood; others help draw heat and dampness from the body.

The different tastes -sweet-spicy-sour, bitter, salty and aromatic have certain affects when taken in moderation. However if any of the above predominate, they can create imbalance in the body.

The effects of over indulging in some of these tastes are recognized in Western medicine, too. In Chinese culture, the salty flavour is considered necessary for the kidneys, but too much is considered to obstruct the flow of blood. In Western medicine, too much salt causes fluid retention, affecting the kidneys, and can also create problems with circulation of blood.

In Chinese tradition, a meal is an opportunity to supply our organs with a balance of tastes and energies needed for optimum health.
According to TCM (Tradition Chinese Medicine) philosophy, the Shen (translated as kidney and spirit) governs the reproductive system. If you are having problems conceiving, then there is a deficiency in shen energy. Symptoms of kidney/shen deficiency are lower back pain, weak legs dry mucous membranes, night sweats, cold feet, irregular menses, low libido, increased urinary frequency, and nighttime urination to name a few. During menopause, a woman's kidney/shen essence is diminished, and many of the same symptoms occur.

Foods that nourish the kidneys are walnuts, black sesame seeds, barley, tofu, soybean, wheatgerm, seaweeds, various beans, organ meats and wheatgrass.
Kidney essence, or shen encompasses Kidney Yin and Yang, and deficiencies of both of these can be helped with dietry changes.

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