Fertility   Trying unsuccessfully for a baby? Planning to conceive and want to make sure your baby is born as healthy as possible?     If you would like to consult us about fertility issues we recommend that you and your partner both attend the clinic together for the first consultation and thereafter you come separately, though each of you is welcome to sit in on the other’s consultations after this. We will also recommend some inexpensive and non-invasive tests to confirm what mineral deficiencies may be affecting you or your partner’s ability to have a child. Depending on your age and how long you have been trying for a baby we may also recommend that you pursue medical investigations (if not already done) at the same time as pursuing our natural approach. If you would like more information about this service please feel free to telephone for an informal chat. Some Fertility Nutrients to Consider: Vitamin C Protects against damage to sperm DNA. Reducing male intake of vitamin C from 250mg to 5mg per day causes 91% increase in DNA damage to sperm. Stimulants, refined foods, alcohol and stress rob the body of vitamin C. Selenium Low in men with low sperm counts/motility Selenium is vital for nornal foetal development and to prevent miscarriages Smoking, high mercury intake (e.g. from tuna, pesticides), refined foods and alcohol rob the body of selenium. Zinc Zinc hardens the head of the sperm so it can penetrate the egg. Zinc is vital for growth of the baby. Infertile men have zinc levels only 34% that of fertile men (Chia et al, 2000, Journal of Andrology, 21, 1:53-57) Subfertile men taking zinc and folic acid for 26 weeks demonstrated a significant 74% increase in total sperm count (Wong, 2002, Fertility and Sterility, 77, 3:491-8) Digestive problems, smoking, stress and refined foods rob the body of zinc. These are just three of nutrients needed to form a healthy baby. There are many more. Did you know? Vitamin C raises the success rate of IVF from 23.7 to 34.2% Vitamin C induced ovulation in women with anovolatory cycles and helped ovulation in clomiphene treatment. Nutritional coaching raises the success of ICSI from 25 to 50% Miscarriage This devastating occurence is all too frequent and can be related not only to nutrient deficiencies but also to high levels of toxins such as cadmium (from e.g. smoking) or mercury (from certain foods). Did you know? Iron is essential for placenta formation in the first trimester of pregnancy, without which the baby cannot survive. Drinking 3 or more cups of tea or coffee a day is associated with a significantly increased risk of miscarriage (Zhang and Bracken, 1996, American Journal of Epidemiology 144, 10: 989-96) 22 women with persistent antiphospholipid syndrome associated with 3 or more miscarriages were treated with fish oil over a period of 3 years. 22 patients had 23 pregnancies with no miscarriages and no baby under 2.5kg. (Rossi and Costa. Lupus, 1993, 2(5):319-23) Vitamin and mineral deficiencies or high levels of toxins in a man can contribute to miscarriage in his partner. Agricultural workers exposed to pesticides and solvents have a lower sperm count and their partners have a higher miscarriage rate (Henderson et al, 1986, Clin Repro Fert 4:275) Nutritional intervention is often able to pinpoint some of the reasons for miscarriage and to prevent it happening again.  Research also shows that nutritional and lifestyle changes boost fertility in couples experiencing "unexplained infertility. Anna Collins is a registered Foresight Practioner (Foresight Association for the Promotion of Pre-Conception Care  www.foresight-preconception.org.uk).