Connecting Fertility & Nutrition

Picking Up Healthier Habits for Fertility

Getting pregnant usually requires a healthy and fully functioning body and to achieve that, there may be several measures that need to be taken. Our Palm Beach fertility doctor, Dr. Mark Denker, believes that helping patients achieve a successful pregnancy involves modern medicine, as well as a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Recent Studies Warn Against High-Fat Dairy

Certain types of foods or eating habits may play a role in your reproductive health and the success of fertility treatments. Something you may have never realized affected your ability to conceive may be playing a large part, and it is important to consider changing your lifestyle and eating habits.

A few specific facts about dairy and the way they affect fertility include:

• Men who consumed dairy products, especially high-fat dairy, saw a decrease in semen quality (motility and concentration).
• Men who consumed a diet high in carbohydrates also experienced a decrease in semen quality (concentration).
• Improved IVF success rates were associated with patients who ate a high protein, low carbohydrate diet.
• Conversely, women should avoid low-fat dairy and instead opt for sensible servings of full-fat dairy.

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

While there is no specific “fertility diet” or particular foods that will significantly increase your chances for conception, a sensible diet, and optimal body mass index will provide a foundation for success. We suggest focusing on a Mediterranean-type diet, consuming whole foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Patients with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, PCOS, or endometriosis should pay close attention to diet and blood sugar levels.