Will I Increases my Chances to Conceive if I Gain or Lose Weight?
Well, let’s look at some studies. In a Danish Study published in Fertility and Sterility in Oct 2004, after looking at the reproductive hormones and semen quality of 1558 Danish men, they found that high or low BMI (Body Mass Index) was associated with reduced semen quality. In several studies including one from Germany reports that high or low BMI in women can have a negative impact on IVF outcome leading to decreased chance of pregnancy.
Keeping these studies in mind then, we want to find our health weight range which according to the BMI is 18.5-24.9. You can calculate your own BMI by going here.
Therefore, I stress slow steady healthy weight loss or weight gain in some cases. Think about it, rapid weight loss like that which is purported in some of the over the counter weight loss products or even some of the physician’s assisted programs, won’t accomplish what you are looking for. Losing weight quickly is also associated with diseases such as cancer. Remember, you want to keep the body OUT of stress mode because when our body is in stress mode, reproduction goes on the back burner.
Starting with a low glycemic index (www.glycemicindex.com) along with exercise is a good approach. Eliminating excess sugar from your diet and all the processed carbs is important. There are good carbs out there that burn slowly in your system (check out the GI database on www.glycemicindex.com) versus the convenience foods that have high amounts of sugar or burn quickly in our system shooting up glucose and insulin levels. Protein is important. And I recommend to stay away from soy products unless they are fermented such as tempeh, miso, natto, and some soy sauces. Soy has been shown to negatively effect fertility. And remember FAT does NOT make you FAT. Healthy fats from avocados and nuts are just a few examples of good fats you can increase in your diet. So the proper balance of proteins, slow burning carbs and essentials fats are so important for your overall and reproductive health.
Speak to your practitioner about what type of eating plan is right for you as he/she may need to evaluate if you are having difficulty with your weight and your fertility because of a thyroid issue. Do not rely soley on blood tests to rule this out. Your symptoms are important to note as well.
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