You’re eating right and getting just the right amount of exercise. You know that if you treat your body well, you can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. And you’re taking your daily multivitamin because you know, vitamins are important; but, do you know what they ‘re exactly doing for you?The term “vitamin” refers to a limited category of nutrients, but it is used more commonly to refer to any number of chemicals that help the body function or grow. True vitamins are named with single letters – though vitamin B is actually a group of chemicals. Let’s take a look at the effects of vitamins and how they can improve your fertility.Vitamin B is actually a complex of eight chemically distinct vitamins. The B vitamins are interrelated, and some of them require others in order to work, so you should make sure your multivitamin includes the complete B vitamin complex. You will often see vitamins B1, B2, and B3 listed as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin, respectively. Vitamin B9, or folic acid, is so important, we’ll talk about it by itself a little later.
Vitamin B6 is linked to fertility in two ways. First, it contributes to the luteal phase of the ovulation cycle, the period in which the uterine wall thickens and prepares for the embryo to implant. Second, B6 lowers the level of homocysteine, an amino acid that is associated with heart disease risk. Studies have found that lower levels of homocysteine correlate to higher rates of pregnancy. High levels of homocysteine are also connected to poor sperm quality in men.Vitamin B12 can increase sperm count, and deficiency of B12 is linked to genetic damage in sperm. Some studies have also linked B12 deficiency in women to problems both in ovulation and in the implantation of a fertilized egg.Vitamin C regulates hormone levels, especially the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is important in the development of uterine lining, and medications containing progesterone can increase the chance of successful implantation after repeated failure. Studies also show that vitamin C can increase sperm count and sperm quality in men by up to ten times.
Vitamin D deficiency in women has been linked to ovulatory disturbance and polycystic ovary syndrome. In men, research shows a connection between vitamin D levels and sperm motility, and male vitamin D deficiency is also linked to lower fertility rates.Vitamin D is found in egg yolks and fatty fish, and it is often added to milk in the United States. Your body is also able to synthesize its own vitamin D simply through exposure to the sun. However, sunscreen blocks the necessary ultraviolet rays, so be careful about how long you soak up those rays.Vitamin E deficiency in men is associated with lower sperm quality and motility, and it can lead to long-term testicular damage. In women, increasing the intake of vitamin E may prevent ovulation decline, and could boost the success rate of fertility treatments. It also helps form and main tain the placenta during a pregnancy.Women trying to conceive should take folic acid, but its effects are more important after conception than before. Folic acid helps prevent certain birth defects, particularly spina bifida and anencephaly which affect the brain and spinal column.
These defects can develop in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid has other, everyday health benefits, which is why it’s recommended even to those who aren’t trying to conceive.Vitamin A is another nutrient that has more effect after you are already pregnant, but it’s important to talk about that effect when you are setting up a vitamin regimen. While vitamin A is important for healthy body functions, including fetal development and breastfeeding, too much vitamin A can cause birth defects. Women who are trying to conceive or who think they may be pregnant should avoid taking supplements that contain more than 1,500 mcg of vitamin A.In fact, it is may be safer to avoid supplements and get your vitamin A from food in the form of beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A during digestion. Beta-carotene is found in many fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupes, mango, carrots, and sweet potatoes.It is important to know how the nutrients you take affect your chances of becoming pregnant.
Your doctor will recommend the right supplement for you, but understanding their possible effects can help you work with your doctor as you navigate your way through conception and pregnancy alike. Word not found in the Dictionary and Encyclopedia. Please try the words separately: Some articles that match your query: Menstruation and Premenstrual Syndrome Menstruation and the origins of culture Menstruation and the origins of culture/Archive 1Histamine is a compound that is released from immune cells. Some gut bacteria and cells belonging to the nervous system also make histamine. Histamine is what drives the most common signs of an allergy. Itchy, red eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and congestion are all part of the histamine response. While your own cells make histamine, you also consume histamine with the food that you eat. Fermented foods—including cultured vegetables and young coconut kefir—naturally contain high amounts of histamine. If you have symptoms of histamine intolerance, like a runny nose, headaches, asthma, or itchy skin, that's no way to live.
Your histamine tolerance lies in the gut. For most of us, this isn’t a problem. But if you are not able to break down histamine, it ends up accumulating in the body. This can lead to signs of histamine intolerance, including: Histamine intolerance looks a lot like an allergic response. If you think that you are histamine intolerant, rule out an allergy with a skin prick test. By some reports, roughly 1% of people are histamine intolerant. And 80% of that population is middle-aged. This number is controversial. We also see high levels of histamine in those with: Eating high-histamine foods or having an allergic response can cause histamine levels to skyrocket. But histamine only accumulates when you cannot break it down. Two enzymes are responsible for breaking down histamine. They are DAO (diamine oxidase) and HNMT (histamine-N-methyl-transferase). When these enzymes aren’t working like they should—or if we are genetically wired to have underactive enzymes—we begin to show signs of histamine intolerance.
You can help the DAO enzyme do its job by making sure your diet is rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6. Research shows that these vitamins can reduce your histamine load by supporting DAO enzyme activity. Those with histamine intolerance are unable to tolerate high-histamine foods. Citrus fruits are also on the list of foods to avoid. This is because citrus fruits free up histamine—adding more work to an already overwhelmed system. People with histamine intolerance should also avoid foods that are rich in long-chain fats. However, medium-chain fats in coconut oil or palm oil are not a problem. Long-chain fats stimulate the release of histamine during digestion. But the body is smart. It wouldn’t release a potentially dangerous compound (like histamine) without also throwing in the enzyme that destroys it. This enzyme (DAO) breaks down histamine and prevents it from accumulating in the body. It literally detoxifies the histamine. As it turns out, you release the most DAO in the small intestine.
(8) A healthy small intestine is full of enzymes that get rid of histamine. Scientists speculate that accumulating histamine is only a problem for those who do not make enough DAO—leading to an imbalance in histamine or histamine intolerance. There are a few factors that influence DAO activity. In women, the menstrual cycle can actually predict how much of this detoxifying enzyme is available. (10) For example, during the luteal phase (after ovulation), a healthy woman has higher levels of DAO. This means that it is easier for her to detoxify histamine after she releases an egg and before she menstruates. But one of the most important factors that influences DAO activity is diet. As we mentioned earlier, a healthy small intestine is full of enzymes that break down histamine. When the small intestine is inflamed or leaky, there is less DAO and more histamine. Studies show that the soluble fiber that you get through your diet can boost levels of enzymes, breaking down histamine and safeguarding against leaky gut.
You can enrich your diet with soluble fiber by eating plenty of: What histamine does depends on which histamine receptors are activated (there are four types of histamine receptors in the body). It also depends on whether or not you have enough enzymes to clean up excess histamine. Histamine gets a bad rap—but it’s neither good nor bad. For example, some of the probiotics in fermented foods produce histamine. But research shows us that histamine produced by gut bacteria actually regulates the immune system and has an anti-inflammatory effect. If you believe that you have recently developed histamine intolerance, avoiding high-histamine foods may make you feel better. But it won’t heal the root of the disorder. Your diet, your inner ecosystem, and your immune system (which includes histamine) all work together in concert. Restoring balance is ultimately more important than avoiding trigger foods. To fully heal histamine intolerance and welcome fermented foods back into your life, you must heal your gut.
This only applies to those who do not have genetic histamine intolerance: What To Remember Most About This Article: Your immune cells release a compound called histamine. Gut bacteria and cells in the nervous system can also produce histamine. Histamine most often triggers the signs of an allergy, like congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, red eyes. You can also consume histamine through the diet, from fermented foods like cultured vegetables and young coconut kefir. Histamine doesn't pose a problem for most people. But if you have histamine intolerance, symptoms may include headache, diarrhea, runny nose, asthma, rapid heartbeat, and itchy skin. Up to 1% of people may be histamine intolerant, most often during middle age. Genetic factors aside, you can move toward histamine tolerance and enjoy fermented foods again with three simple steps: Start a low histamine diet. Increase fiber intake by following the 7 Universal Principles of The Body Ecology Diet.
After three months, start to reintroduce gentle, histamine-rich foods like young coconut kefir. Resist Infections, Enhance Digestion Ideal for appetite and weight control Ideal for pregnant women Ideal for children with Autism and ADD Can be enjoyed daily Easy to make at home Better Digestion, Boost Immunity Kefir has many benefits, including better digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It has been known for thousands of years for its anti-aging and immune-enhancing properties. Kefir is an ancient cultured food, rich in amino acids, enzymes, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and B vitamins. Kefir means "feel good" in Turkish, and that's just how you'll feel after drinking a glass in the morning! Easy and fun to make at home, it is superior to commercial yogurt. An absolute must after antibiotic use! Unlike yogurt, kefir can actually colonize the intestinal tract and is simple and fun to make at home. To make kefir: Mix one packet with 1 quart of warm milk, cover and set at room temperature for 18-24 hours.