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Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

Increasing Fertility through Detoxification

Friday, March 30th, 2012

WHEN CONSIDERING FERTILITY, one must consider toxicity. It is everywhere.It’s in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the products we use and even in bottled water. The key is being aware of these toxins and limiting the use of them in our daily lives. As our environment has become more toxic, infertility rates have skyrocketed. With the soaring popularity of alternative medicine, it’s no surprise that many couples are seeking alternatives to compliment traditional fertility treatments. One such option is a body detoxification or a ‘detox diet’ – a natural fertility enhancer designed to help your body achieve inner balance.

Everyday exposure to a variety of chemicals can build up in our bodies over time and can lead to serious health problems. One of the biggest concerns with fertility is “endocrine disruptors.” These synthetic compounds can be found in everything from plastic containers to processed foods to body lotion. In fact, they are virtually inescapable.

The problem with endocrine disruptors is that they mimic natural hormones produced by our bodies – including female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, disrupting the natural cycles of the body. Removing these harmful substances can be a daily challenge. Luckily, our bodies provided us with the systems to aid the process of elimination, such as our blood, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and skin.

Although with so many new types of chemicals being introduced to our bodies each day, these systems can become overwhelmed and therefore unable to do their job and can be a real cause of infertility in both men and women.

A full body detox is one way to reduce the effects of these chemicals and help your body in a number of ways, including improving your odds of getting pregnant.

Author: Kim Sjoblad, CNP, is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner
& Fertility Coach. As well as working for Nature’s Source,
she works in a Fertility clinic with medical professionals.
She can be contacted at Kim@natures-source.com

Can your emotions affect your baby?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

While most expectant mothers wouldn’t think of harming their child with smoking or drinking, how many actually consider what their emotional state may be doing to their unborn child?

The connection between mind and body may have been controversial in the orthodox scientific realm once, but more and more evidence is confirming what most individuals instinctively knew all along, that the mind and body are connected.

Good emotion is just as important as proper nutrition

Scientists know that we are linked via direct nerve impulses and that our emotional state is directly translated to the body through the release of neurotransmitters. No one doubts the importance of nutrition for the proper development of the child, but many would argue that emotional nurturing is just as important and should begin in the womb.

Why else would drugs be used to manage emotional issues like depression if there was no connection?

Mind body connection to your baby

What scientists are beginning to find is that the biochemical basis for the mind body connection is much more complex than originally thought. The limbic portions of the brain such as the hypothalamus are heavily involved in regulating emotional behaviour and whenever we experience an emotional state whether it’s a “high” or a “low”, we send a corresponding flood of neurotransmitters into the blood stream.

The interesting aspect is that scientists are discovering that this continuous neuro-chemical dialogue we have within our body can actually change our cells’ own physiology in such a way as to alter receptor activity on the cells’ surface.

How do cells communicate?

A theory is being put forth that emotions are made in the cells of the body and brain through chemicals binding to specific receptors on the surface of the cells, transmitting information into the cells.

The changes in the cells are then picked up by nerve impulses travelling across the cell membrane to produce the corresponding changes in behaviour, physical activity and mood. It is this mechanism that is suspected of storing memories and emotions.

Laughter is indeed the best medicine!

Pleasurable feelings, joy and laughter all result in a cascade of beneficial endorphins being released into the body with well-established healing benefits. When you think about the bundle of joy you’re expecting … enjoy yourself as much as possible, listen to pleasant music, enjoy good comedy, take relaxing walks, meditate, or whatever else makes you happy.

Mario Alonzi, B.Sc., Manager of the Nature’s Source store in Mississauga

Eating for a healthy pregnancy and baby

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

One of the most exciting times a woman will experience in her lifetime is when she finds out she’s expecting a baby. However, preparing to raise a child involves a lot of planning and knowledge. Beginning a family ushers into a couple’s life another phase of learning as well as changes and commitments that have not yet been explored.

Because of this precious new life and because the mother and child will undergo several months of changes hormonally, emotionally, as well as physically for nine months, it’s important to be well informed of factors that contribute to a successful pregnancy.

Even before conception begins, a woman should start providing her body with adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Eating for two people for nine months can be very demanding on the body and may deplete the mother’s normal stores of vital minerals and vitamins as the baby takes what it needs to grow.

A holistic approach to pregnancy is always the best way. Some key points to remember for healthy eating during pregnancy are:

-Eat organic foods to provide you with the full nutritional benefits of natural minerals and vitamins, as it reduces the toxic load for baby and mother.

-Maximize your intake of green leafy vegetables wherever possible, including lots of salads and plenty of fresh fruit high in anti-oxidants such as blueberries, pomegranates, raspberries, apples, pineapples and oranges.
Keep your fibre intake high using grains such as millet, oats, quinoa, spelt, and bran to keep your regular.

-Use organic meats and fish in your diet.

-Minimize your consumption of white flour, white rice, pasta, refined sugar, cheese, and carbohydrates such as bagels, donuts, and other yeast products to control blood sugar and weight problems.

-Drink plenty of water, and eliminate coffee and tea or keep it to a minimum, unless using herbal teas (but make sure any herbs are safe for baby). Of course, no alcohol at all.

-Be sure to exercise even if it means a short brisk walk in the evening. It will keep your mind clear and focused.

Folic acid and iron are two specific nutrients important to mother and child.

Folic Acid is a water-soluble vitamin needed for cell replication and growth during normal fetal development. A 400mcg/day supplement of Folic Acid is recommended along with your diet as it’s been shown to prevent birth defectshHol. Folic acid is naturally found in:

-Vegetables – Beans, green leafy vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, beets

-Fruits – Apples, cherries, grapefruits, oranges, prunes, pineapple, papaya, blueberries

-Grains – Wheat germ, couscous

-Meats – Chicken, lamb, turkey and beef

The need for iron

Iron is another critical mineral needed during pregnancy. Mayer (1985) reported that “Iron deficiency is present in 35% of pregnant women during the first trimester and rises to up to 86% during the third trimester”. Symptoms of low iron include weakness or faintness, shortness of breath, headaches, confusion, depression, cold extremities, and dizziness.

Taking iron regularly will assist other metabolic enzymes and will help with the growth process. Natural sources of iron are found in eggs, fish, liver, meat, poultry, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and lentils and can also be found in supplement form.

Too much iron can be constipating, but there is now iron available that does not constipate. If you are suffering from this condition, check with a qualified practitioner who can recommend a source of iron that is better for you.

Oh and just one more thought. Get your sleep right now before the baby comes so that those night-time feedings will be a breeze. Congratulations!

Yvonne Horvat, RHN

Posted in Pregnancy | No Comments »

Botanical medicine for pregnancy and lactation

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a time of bodily discomfort. Botanical medicine can help with many of the common ailments.

1.Replacing lost minerals

Pregnancy can be demanding on the mother’s body, taking away a lot of nutrients from the mother to help the baby grow. So, what can you do to help replace these nutrients?

Plants like stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) have earned the title of “nutritive tonic” due to their high levels of iron and trace minerals, and can be used during pregnancy to help the mother meet the nutritional requirements of their growing baby.

Drinking up to 3 cups of nettle tea per day, in combination with a prenatal vitamin, can help boost maternal nutrition to optimum levels.

2.Morning sickness

Possibly the most effective herb for helping alleviate morning sickness is ginger (Zingiber officinalis). This potent rhizome’s affinity for the digestive system is thought to account for its anti-emetic activity.

You can also take ginger syrup with approximately 1 tbsp syrup containing 1 gram ginger in 4 to 8 ounces of water for a more effective method. The syrup is easier on the stomach than capsules or tablets.

Ginger tea is also an option (but several cups would have to be consumed for the same effect).

3.Edema/swollen ankles

A common symptom experienced during pregnancy is swollen ankles (edema) due to water retention in the body. Cornsilk (Zea mays) is an effective herbal diuretic that can help stimulate kidney function and reduce edema.

Cornsilk also contains high potassium levels, ensuring that potassium loss is not experienced with long-term use, unlike other diuretics. Another added benefit of cornsilk is its demulcent, or soothing, action on the urinary tract, which can help reduce incidence of cystitis during pregnancy.

To reduce non-serious edema, cornsilk can be taken as a pleasant tea, up to 5 cups daily. But any edema during pregnancy should always be monitored by a qualified health care practitioner.

4.Stretch marks

Stretch marks, due to loss of skin elasticity and collagen breakdown during prenatal growth, are commonly seen during pregnancy and afterwards. During pregnancy, massaging the area with almond oil, followed by vitamin E oil, can help stimulate circulation and tone the collagen.

After having your baby, aloe vera gel can be used topically on stretch marks, speeding the rate of healing through the gel’s aloectin B content.

5.Lactation

There are several excellent plants, collectively referred to as galactogogues, for stimulating lactation and increasing milk flow in nursing mothers. It should be noted that these plants are to be used after having given birth, not before.

Possibly the most well-known of these is fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), which has been used since ancient times as a galactogogue. Fenugreek seeds (the part used) contain the oil diosgenin, a compound that can increase milk flow in 24 to 72 hours.

Although fenugreek can be taken in either capsule or tea form to promote lactation, many find the capsules a more pleasant option since the tea has a bitter quality to it, but this depends on your preference.

Katie Patrick, Naturopath

Pregnancy supplementation basics

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Being pregnant is one of the greatest joys in life. Here are some ways you can keep your body and your baby healthy during pregnancy.

Take a prenatal multivitamin

Our diets may be deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals – especially when meeting the demand of a growing baby as well as our own nutritional needs. That’s why it’s important to take a prenatal multivitamin.

How to choose the right prenatal multivitamin

Some professional lines of supplements, such as those recommended by naturopaths, have pharmaceutical grade nutrients in optimized ratios. You might also want to choose a supplement that provides different nutrients at different stages of pregnancy, to match the changing needs of mother and baby. There are now also whole-food based prenatal vitamins with ‘pre-digested’ nutrients. Find which high quality multivitamin is best for you, and take it daily.

The importance of folic acid

Folic acid is a key nutrient that is important for healthy development of your baby’s spine, brain, and skull, especially during the first four weeks of pregnancy. Taking at least 0.4mg (400mcg) of folic acid or folate daily can prevent neural tube defects such as Spina bifida. Because the defects can occur so early in pregnancy, it is important to start supplementation even before you get pregnant.

Essential fatty acids

EFAs are an important part of brain, nervous system, and eye development. They are also required for the formation of tissues, as every cell in the body has a phospholipid membrane. Deficiencies of DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid in the mother’s diet during pregnancy have been correlated with low birth weight, low head circumference, and low placental weight.

Many children with developmental disorders have been shown to have deficiencies in Omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, higher EFA consumption during pregnancy has been associated with greater problem solving abilities and mental development, enhanced vision, and enhanced dexterity, with the benefits extending well beyond infancy.

Probiotics

Probiotics have been defined by the World Health Organization as ‘live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host.’

These good micro-organisms, naturally present in a healthy body, enhance the immune system, improve digestion and detoxification, manufacture vitamins, protect the mother’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and crowd out harmful micro-organisms.

Through these beneficial functions, probiotics may reduce the stresses on the mother, and hence also on the baby. Probiotics have also found to be beneficial with milk allergies, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis. They can provide health benefits for both mother and baby – and the rest of the family, too.

With these tips, you’ll feel healthy before and after your pregnancy!

Heather Allsop, B.Sc., Ph.D., RNCP

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

Increasing Fertility through Detoxification

Can your emotions affect your baby?

Eating for a healthy pregnancy and baby

Botanical medicine for pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy supplementation basics

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