Hi girls, no problem.
Here are the two protocol she gave me to support IVF (we have been working together even before I was on the list):
1st - Preparing for IVF:
Nutrition for egg and sperm health
Egg health:
Foods that need to be included in your diet: -
Omega 3 fatty acids - fish, nuts and seeds and plant oils B Vitamins can be found in the following: -
● Whole grains (brown rice, barley, millet)
● Meat (red meat, poultry, fish)
● Eggs and dairy products (milk, cheese)
● Legumes (beans, lentils)
● Seeds and nuts (sunflower seeds, almonds)
● Dark, leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach)
● Fruits (citrus fruits, avocados, bananas)
We also want to ensure you are eating a wide variety of brightly coloured vegetables - particularly focussing on Vitamin C.
Vitamin C rich foods are:
● citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice. ● peppers.
strawberries.
● blackcurrants.
● broccoli.
● brussels sprouts.
● potatoes.
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant and along with Vitamin C will help mop up the free radicals in your body and reduce oxidative stress on your cells. Remember that your eggs are cells so need protecting! Selenium can be found in Brazil nuts, lean pork, lean chicken, wholewheat pasta, shiitake mushrooms, eggs, brown rice and sunflower seeds. Brazil nuts are the best source though if you like them.
It is important to build your meals around protein. Proteins are the building blocks of every cell in the body. Good sources of protein are fish, chicken, lean meat and vegetables including nuts and seeds. Try having protein with every meal. This will also help you feel full.
It is also important to maintain relatively stable blood sugar levels if you can. Therefore eating regularly is important and trying to keep off the sugar / crash rollercoaster.
Sperm health
● He wants to include plenty of Vitamin C and Vitamin E in his diet as this has been shown to improve the quality of sperm by reducing the free radicals that can cause oxidative damage within the cells.
● Zinc, Fish oil and Selenium are also very good for supporting sperm health.
● Include Vitamin B12 in the diet as this is crucial for sperm motility, sperm county and reduces sperm DNA damage.
● Exercise - not too excess but a reasonable amount of exercise a few times a week would be beneficial.
● There is some research to suggest that wearing looser underwear may also support sperm
health.
● Foods rich in Vitamin C - oranges, red and green peppers, strawberries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts.
● Foods rich in Vitamin E - sunflower seeds, green leafy veg, almonds, avocados, kiwi, olive oil, trout,broccoli.
● Foods rich in Zinc - Wholegrains, milk, oysters, red meat (occasionally!!), chickpeas, cashew nuts,
almonds.
● Salmon, Mackerel, anchovies, sardines and Herring are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.
● Foods rich in Vitamin B12 - meat, salmon, cod, milk, cheese and eggs.