Is obesity causing your infertility and robbing you of childbirth?
If you are dealing with obesity and experiencing infertility issues, your excessive weight could be one of your main problems. Even after watching the birth of my children over 20 years ago and assisting in the birth of a good friend’s child, I’m still endlessly fascinated with the miracle of childbirth. Women having babies happens around us all the time so we see this process as routine. But, for millions of couples this is not the case. For them infertility issues have robbed them of the magical moment of seeing their child born. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 2.1 million infertile couples in the U.S. and about 40% of all infertility problems are due to male issues. The human reproductive process is a very complex process and a myriad of things can go wrong resulting in infertility. For things to go right, the following has to happen: • Each month the pituitary gland in woman’s brain sends a signal to her ovaries to prepare an egg for ovulation. The daily use of a vitamin supplement containing folic acid has been demonstrated to reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects like spina bifida by at least 50%. Folic acid helps develop DNA and aids in organ and tissue development in babies. It may also help prevent autism and ADD in children. For moms folic acid decreases the risk of heart disease, strokes and certain types of cancers. It also aids in preventing depression and memory loss. The lack of sufficient folic acid is perhaps our most serious and widespread vitamin defeciency. • About 60% of middle-aged men are deficient in folic acid
Women should supplement with folic acid throughout their child bearing years. It would be advisable to at least take 400mcg daily about 3 months before attempting to become pregnant. A recent study found that the heavier a woman is-she is less likely to become pregnant. With 25% of women of child bearing age in North America being obese and at least 50% of them being overweight, this is no small problem. Having a plan to reduce obesity before pregnancy is a must. In addition to studying the effects of obesity as it relates to infertility, the latest research also points to chronic low levels of inflammation as the root to infertility problems in both men and women. Internal inflammation is usually caused by unhealthy diets. There is a substance called microphage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) which is released as part of the inflammatory response. Healthy levels of MIF help sperm unite with eggs. Too little or too much MIF may cause infertility in males. Females with a condition called endometriosis have immune systems that attack the egg before it implants. This condition is believed to be caused by inflammation. Endometriosis affects more than 5.5 million women in North America and about 30-40% of them are experiencing infertility according to the National Institute of Health. Omega-3 fatty acids have proven to be a great way to reduce inflammation. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of infertility in women in the U.S. is what’s called polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. PCOS causes the body to produce too much androgen or male hormones. This causes less frequent ovulation or the ovaries may not release the egg at all. The exact cause isn’t known but overweight and obese conditions can lead to PCOS. At least 50% of all women with PCOS are obese. Women with PCOS run a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer of the uterus and metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes). Again following a weight loss plan is a must. 40% of all infertility issues are associated with males. Obesity in men is one culprit. Getting down to a normal weight is a must. Some of the other causes of infertility in men are emotional stress, malnutrition (deficiencies in vitamin C, selenium, zinc and folate may contribute to infertility), cancer and its treatment, alcohol and drugs, age (a gradual decline in fertility is common in men older than 35) and other medical conditions like a severe injury, major surgery, diabetes, thyroid disease or anemia.
The beauty and magic of birth still fills me with wonder. It occurs so often that we don’t usually think about the millions of couples who are unable to experience this incredible process. If you are considering becoming pregnant you want to do everything possible to make it a happy outcome. Having your body as healthy as possible is the best thing you can do. To reduce the chances of infertility, avoid becoming overweight or obese. If you need to get down to a healthy weight, follow a safe, effective weight loss plan. Take a multivitamin/mineral supplement daily to supply your body with essential nutrients and establish healthy living habits. Doing these simple things will go a long way towards ensuring you of a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy.
Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts.
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