As the world is facing challenges of
infertility, scientists are looking into the
role of nutrition in improving fertility and
supporting healthy pregnancies. Most of
the time, people only think of fertility
treatment and imagine sophisticated
diagnostic testing, powerful medications,
and high-tech procedures, but hope is
here as science has found that choosing
certain foods and drinks can influence
your ability to become pregnant.
Many women don't start getting serious
about eating healthfully until after they
have become pregnant, there's increasing
evidence that diet matters long before
conception. According to experts,
unhealthy food intake, whether too much
or too little has been recognised as a
factor to infertility. Too little or too much
weight can make your reproductive cycle
irregular.

Foods that boost fertility
In a study, researchers from the Harvard
School of Public Health,discovered that
women who ate foods containing higher
amounts of trans fats, animal proteins and
carbohydrates, among other dietary
factors, were likely to have an ovulatory
disorder. Unfortunately, ovulation
problems cause infertility in about 20
percent of women seeking help in
becoming pregnant. The researchers
concluded that a majority of such cases
may be preventable by adjusting diet and
lifestyle.

Switch protein sources: Replace some of
the beef, pork or chicken you eat (animal
protein) with vegetable protein sources,
such as cooked dried beans and nuts.
When five percent of total calories eaten
come from vegetable protein instead of
animal, the risk of ovulatory infertility
drops by more than 50 percent. Add some
high-fat dairy: The more low-fat dairy products you eat, the greater your risk of
ovulatory infertility. Don't forget your
vitamins because women who regularly
take iron supplements and multivitamins
containing folic acid have less ovulation-
related infertility.

Also, consumption of whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, lean meats, beans and low-fat
dairy foods are beneficial. For Omega-3,
women are advised to consume salmon,
some egg brands for development of the
baby's brain and nervous system
development as it reduces risk of
premature birth You are also advised to
watch your herbal teas and supplements.
Stay fluid: When you don't drink enough
water, your cervical fluid that helps the
sperm find the target egg becomes
sluggish. Also cut caffeine because it
affects conception.