Food, Stress, and Healing - Important Considerations for Fertility Enhancement and IVF Preparation

I see a large number of patients who are undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and want to incorporate natural methods into their overall process. Some of these patients have tried to conceive for years with no success. Others have genetic or anatomical problems that make it difficult, if not impossible, to conceive on their own. In every case I have found that it is immensely helpful to do up-front preparation to make sure things go as well as possible. This preparation includes things like optimizing the diet, correcting deficiencies with nutritional supplementation, and providing techniques for stress management and emotional wellness. All of these components are vital to help the body cope with the immense amount of intervention that is about to take place.

At the very start of a medicated fertility cycle, the body is called into action to produce more reproductive hormones and follicles than it ever has before. Most people begin their fertility cycle like casual weekend runners suddenly entering a marathon without training for it. Some finish by sheer will, others have to drop out in the middle of the race. All are exposed to a greater risk for injury than their well-trained counterparts. So, the question is, why don't all IVF clinics make it routine to counsel their patients on diet, lifestyle, and exercise choices as part of the overall process? I wish I knew. I can only surmise that it is because conventional medicine has become so obsessed with glorious, high-tech interventions that is has forgotten about the subtle, low-tech interventions that harness the highly intelligent healing power of the human body.

When we talk about "healing", we are really talking about something the body does naturally on its own. The body's innate intelligence on how to "make itself whole" (heal) is unmatched by any medicine that humankind can create. A surgeon can cut, but it is the body that heals the cut. A drug can correct, but it is the body that responds to the correction.

In the system of medicine I practice, we take for granted that food can be a healer or a stressor, and thus we have no problem with strongly advocating for nutritional healing. Just as a difficult coworker can cause unwanted stress by being a nuisance, the foods we eat can cause stress in our bodies by being difficult to digest, assimilate, and utilize. Too much of certain nutrients, too little of others, low quailty nutrients, and eating at the wrong times can all increase the stress we put on our bodies through diet. The increase in stress then decreases the body's ability to adapt to change. The more the body has to occupy itself with adapting to nutritional stress, the less it is able to occupy itself with normal function. At a certain point, the body goes into survival mode, and at that point fertility becomes a secondary concern at most.

By eating the right foods, at the right times, with the right state of mind and intention, you give the body a chance to express its healing power in all its glory. You remove the obstacles, and open the door for deep healing on the cellular level. The body is no longer stressed and strained, it is nourished and sustained. This frees the body's healing intelligence to operate at full capacity, including the amazing intelligence of the reproductive process.

So, before doing an IVF cycle, why not maximize your body's capacity to heal by optimizing your diet? In doing so, you will be giving yourself a distinct advantage and increasing your chance for a successful, full-term pregnancy. The reasoning behind this is simple, common sense, and absolutely true -- a more harmonious internal environment gives your body the best chance to produce healthier eggs, achieve optimal blood flow, regulate its immune signals appropriately, and support the growth of a healthy, well-nourished baby.

The question then becomes, "Where do I start?" Start with individualized, comprehensive coaching from a professional. By using the services of a professional, you will be getting right to the point, rather than trying several things on your own and potentially wasting time. If you can find someone who has a fertility focus to their practice, even better. They will be able to understand your specific needs around fertility, and will be able to help you based on the information in your lab tests and other diagnostic results. They will also be able to coach you based on intimate knowledge of the fertility treatment process.

I invite you to learn more about the programs I offer for both remote and local patients. You will receive targeted, individualized advice and support that will go a long way towards maximizing your chance for success.

Chris Axelrad, M.S.O.M., L. Ac., FABORM, director of the Axelrad Clinic for Natural Fertility Enhancement and Women's Health, is a recognized expert in women's health and fertility enhancement using Traditional Chinese Medicine integrated with conventional medical knowledge. He is known for his easy-going manner and sincere compassion for his patients. Mr. Axelrad provides coaching and support to fertility patients across the country via his remote treatment programs, and he also maintains a busy full-time specialty clinical practice in Houston, TX.