Can nutrition improve egg quality? Can nutrition improve sperm quality? What role does nutrition play in fertility?     According to the WHO, 1 in 6 people are affected by infertility globally. There is a real need for fertility care around the world.   Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School published a review of past studies that examined the impact of diet on fertility, and there is a lot of exciting news.   Though...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic condition in which a woman's ovaries produce an excess amount of androgens, often causing small cysts to form on ovaries. Because this is a hormone disruption, women who have PCOS might experience a number of symptoms that affect day-to-day life. What are the most common PCOS symptoms? Missed or irregular periods Weight gain, especially around your midsection Hirsutism -- excess body hair (stomach, back, chest) Acne or oily skin ...

Wouldn’t it be great if we could eat a quinoa-kale salad or a Greek yogurt-blueberry parfait and call it a day? Fertility, unfortunately, can be an incredibly complex and elusive thing for many couples. The Mayo Clinic reports that in the United States, between 10% and 15% of couples experience infertility. This can cause physical, emotional, economic, and psychological strain on couples who are trying to conceive. Though there are many factors that may influence fertility –...

Prenatals, or prenatal vitamins, are vitamins that doctors and pregnancy dietitian nutritionists recommend women who are trying to conceive, or women who are pregnant, take. During pregnancy, a woman’s body has unique needs that a balanced diet might not meet. Likewise, before pregnancy, while trying to conceive, these vitamins can ensure a woman and her developing baby are getting all they need. Prenatal vitamins are available in tablets capsules, gummies, powders, and softgels. The best form...

The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland in our necks. This small organ is the engine of our bodies, producing Triiodothyronine, also known as T3, Tetraiodothyronine, also called thyroxine or T4, and Calcitonin. These hormones are our bodies’ control center, regulating our metabolism. Thyroid health is a big deal. When our thyroids are not functioning, and when thyroid disease isn’t managed, this can affect fertility. Likewise, untreated thyroid problems can put both the mother and baby at risk...

If you are experiencing fertility problems, you are not alone. According to the CDC, approximately 6.1 million women in the United States (or 9.4% of women aged 15-44) have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. And the prevalence of infertility increases with age, as women from 35 - 44 years old are at the highest risk. About one-third of infertility cases are due to male factors, one-third are due to female factors, and the remaining...

In the New Year, many begin new regimens, diets, weight-loss programs, and exercise programs. Many of these New Year plans include intense exercise and extreme calorie restrictions. Results are quick, but, we can get ensnared in a resolution trap, and our bodies and health end up paying a heavy price. Wanting to be healthy is a great thing! But buying into quick weight-loss programs isn’t the road we should take. Weight cycling is the repeated loss...

Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect (an estimated 1 in 33). When preparing for conception and pregnancy, there are ways to prevent birth defects. As a pregnancy nutrition group and registered dietitian nutritionists, we specialize in how to help a woman prepare for pregnancy and best nourish herself during pregnancy. Here are 8 easy steps to reduce the chance of birth defects in your child and make a PACT for...