Fertility Programme Booklet

Fertility Programme

The experts in female nutritional health.

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Welcome to the Wild Nutrition Fertility Programme.

Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or are undergoing fertility treatment, the preconception period gives you a window of opportunity to evaluate your nutrition and lifestyle. This plan has been created to help you do just that; to nourish and optimize your ‘fertile’ ground.

The programme reflects Henrietta’s clinical experience working with both women and men during their fertility journey as well as the increasing body of research on preconception nutrition. It is our hope that this programme supports you both in preparing for a healthy conception and pregnancy.

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Contents

Preconception 4 Nutritional foundation 5 Why take supplements?

6 Our FOOD-GROWNÂŽ process 7 Taking the products 8 Our bespoke formulations 10 Nutrition through food 14 Lifestyle support 20 Complementary recipes 27

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Preconception The window of opportunity.

The three months prior to conception have been shown to be very influential on foetal development. During this time, immature eggs, known as oocytes, are maturing ready to be released during ovulation and sperm cells are developing in preparation for ejaculation.

Over and above providing the healthy foundation stones, dietary changes and improving nutrient stores may also help to correct factors that may be affecting your ability to conceive such as low sperm count or hormonal imbalances.

You and your partner’s nutrient intake greatly influences the quality and efficiency of this process and the opportunity to create a healthy pregnancy.

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Nutrition is the foundation for you and your baby.

Studies have shown that couples who have made changes to their diet and lifestyle improved chances of a healthy conception by 80%. Indeed, the latest research has shown us that the benefits extend way beyond this and your nutritional status during the preconception period is now understood to sow the seeds of health for your baby in infancy.

For example by reducing the risk of atopic conditions such as asthma and eczema, as well as chronic health conditions in adulthood such as diabetes.

Nourishing your nutritional status at preconception can also influence recovery post-birth, milk production during breastfeeding and reduce the potential for post-partum depression.

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Why take supplements?

It is now medically accepted that certain vitamins and minerals can increase your chances of getting and staying pregnant by supporting hormone balance and healthy egg and sperm development.

However, increasing research is showing us that today’s environment is not as fertilefriendly for either plant or human as it once was. Many of the foods we eat have been grown on exhausted soil, intensively farmed, picked before ripe and travelled

many miles from source before reaching our plates. As a result, a large proportion of our food is lacking in much-needed trace minerals and vitamins.

Studies have shown that couples who took nutritional supplements to support a healthy diet had quicker conception rates than those who did not.

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Not all supplements are the same.

Our unique FOOD-GROWN® process makes a big difference.

Nutrients produced using our FOOD-GROWN® method have been shown to improve the way your body absorbs, uses and stores key vitamins and minerals. This is because all our nutrients are bonded in a genuine food complex such as citrus, carrot, cabbage, alfalfa and baker’s yeast that changes their structure and presents them to the body just as they are found in food.

More than 50 independent studies have shown that our FOOD-GROWN® process provide greater bioavailability, targeted delivery and greater retention in the body than synthetic, isolate forms of nutrients.

This means that doses of our unique nutrients need not be ‘mega’, but instead work synergistically with the body at ‘food’ doses, giving your body the natural fortification it might need.

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Taking the products in your Fertility Programme.

This comprehensive programme includes three products to support male and female fertility, containing unique complexes of FOOD-GROWN® nutrients, whole foods and high quality cold water fish oil clinically shown to support a healthy conception.

Gardeners know that you must nourish the soil if you want healthy plants. You must water the plants adequately, especially when seeds are germinating and sprouting, and they should be planted in a nutrientrich soil. Why should nutrition matter less in the creation of young humans than it does in your plants? – Ina May Gaskin, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth 8

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What to take each day

WOMAN

MAN

x2 BESPOKE WOMAN FOOD-GROWN® Fertility

x2 BESPOKE MAN FOOD-GROWN® Fertility

capsules with or without food.

capsules with or without food.

x2 Pure Strength Omega 3

x2 Pure Strength Omega 3

capsules with or without food.

capsules with or without food.

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Our bespoke formulations.

As with all our Wild Nutrition products, we don’t use any sugars, fillers, binders, colourings or flavourings. There are a number of nutrients and botanicals that have been shown to support male and female fertility.

B Vitamins The entire B vitamin family is important during conception and foetal development. Vitamin B6 in particular has been shown to support cycle regularity, redress imbalance in hormonal conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis or PMS and support fertility.

Vitamin B12 has been shown to improve low sperm count and reduce blood stickiness.

Zinc Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, cell division and protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc also contributes to normal DNA synthesis.

Deficiency is common (especially in those with a history of the contraceptive pill) and can affect sperm and egg production. Our FOOD-GROWNÂŽ Zinc

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has been shown to be 75% better absorbed and retained by the body than synthetic forms such as Zinc sulphate or gluconate.

L-Methionine All amino acids perform a vital role in the body and egg production. However L-Methionine, is also an essential amino acid that plays a role in hormone stability and therefore supports cycle regularity. It also protects cellular DNA from damage during the pre-conceptual period.

Beta-Carotene Beta-Carotene is a plant pigment that is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Conversion only occurs as and when the body needs it to and therefore avoids

any concern with vitamin A toxicity during early pregnancy. The corpus luteum has the highest concentration of beta-carotene in the body. As the corpus luteum also produces progesterone, beta-carotene can influence cycle regularity and the early stages of pregnancy.

Vitamin D The latest research has demonstrated how important Vitamin D is for a healthy conception and pregnancy for its role in the immune system and reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia. Our FOOD-GROWNÂŽ Vitamin D provides Vitamin D1, D2 and D3 in the bio-active form rather than the storage form found in many synthetic supplements. This was confirmed by Functional Medicine pioneer Dr Bland at the Linus Pauling Institute.

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Vitamin E Another antioxidant shown to benefit fertility in both men and women, especially during the IVF process.

Our FOOD-GROWN® Vitamin E provides a mix of naturally-occurring tocopherols.

Selenium A healthy level of this trace mineral has been shown to improve low sperm count and healthy sperm formation. As an antioxidant it has also been shown to reduce oxidative damage associated with chromosome breakage and miscarriage. Studies have shown that our FOOD-GROWN® Seleium is 80% more bioavailable than synthetic chelate forms.

Choline Supports normal liver and lipid metabolism. Liver health significantly affects hormone balance in both men and women.

Folate Along with other members of the B vitamin family such as Vitamin B12, folate is used to produce the important genetic material of the egg and the sperm in the 3 months prior to conception.

Our FOOD-GROWN® Folic Acid is provided in a naturally occurring folate form.

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Vitamin C Vitamin C is an antioxidant shown to reduce excess histamine. Excess histamine has been shown to have an influence on cervical mucus production.

Vitamin C also acts as a protectant against oxidative damage to sperm. Our FOOD-GROWN® Vitamin C has been shown to be 1210% more bioavailable than the commonly used synthetic isolated ascorbic acid.

Chromium & Inositol These lesser known nutrients play a role in blood glucose management. Imbalances in blood glucose create a ‘stress’ response in the body (see section on stress). Studies have shown that blood glucose control improved by 57% with those taking our form of GTF Chromium.

Omega 3 These essential fats support hormone balance and the nutrient absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin E, D and K. They also form a large part of the head of sperm and therefore influence sperm quality and mobility.

Co-enzyme Q10 Co–enzyme Q10 has been shown to protect ova and sperm from oxidative damage. Recent research has shown that co-enzyme Q10 supports healthy cell division in the first stages of pregnancy.

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Maximising nutrition through food

Wholesome food has to be the starting ground for health, always.

In this section we hope to bring you some helpful tips on how to support and preserve your health.

We hope the information that we have gathered through our experience, in clinic, in research, and as experts in nutrition can help you do just that little bit more with even the most simplest of changes.

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Eat protein with every meal Protein provides the building blocks of the body and is especially important for hormone production as well as healthy cell development.

If you are vegetarian, combining pulses and grains provides the best source of complete vegetarian protein.

Good sources of protein include free-range poultry, eggs, yoghurt, wild fish, lentils, nuts, seeds, quinoa, grass-fed red meats.

Protein sources are also rich in L-methionine, L-arginine and co-enzyme Q10 and iron.

Pulses are also an excellent source of folate.

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Eat healthy fats with every meal

Eat whole foods

Healthy fats are vitally important for health and fertility as they support hormone production and healthy cell formation. Find them in avocado, linseed oil, nuts, seeds, fresh oily fish (limit to three portions a week).

These food sources are also excellent sources of vitamin E, vitamin D and minerals such as chromium and selenium.

Eat as close to nature as was intended. Whole grains such as brown rice, red rice, wild rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, rye and oats are excellent sources of the B vitamin family, including B12, and minerals such as manganese, zinc and chromium.

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Aim for a ‘rainbow’

Eat green leafy vegetables

Spices and herbs such as turmeric and ginger or seasonal vegetables including pumpkin, peas, broccoli, spinach are rich in plant antioxidants such as carotenoids and vitamin C. Aim for a rainbow of colour on your plate every day. Soups in winter and juices in the summer can make this more achievable.

Not only an excellent source of folate, they also provide a great source of fibre for healthy digestion which influences hormonal equilibrium. Steam, juice, make soups or add to smoothies to increase your intake.

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Eat mindfully, every four hours

Eat seasonally where you can

Eating regularly supports blood sugar control, an important factor in fertility.

Making a healthy breakfast a priority is the best way to support blood sugar balance throughout the day. As digestion begins in the mouth, rushing food can reduce our ability to absorb and use the nutrients the food provides. Eating mindfully also allows the body the time it needs to register its own appetite signals, making it less likely that you will overeat.

Seasonal food grown in sync with nature’s cycle can improve the nutrient value of the food. Eating seasonally also means that we eat warmer foods in the colder, damper winter or autumn days and lighter, less cooked foods in the warmer and brighter summer and spring days.

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Be mindful of sugar

Be mindful of trans fats

Sugar not only robs vital nutrients from bodily stores but can also activate a ‘fight or flight’ stress response. Look for hidden sugars with names such as maltose, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup. Read the labels for these hidden sugars on even healthy looking cereals or yoghurts. Do not substitute with sweeteners! Choose small amounts of raw or manuka honey or authentic agave syrup.

These are damaged fats that have been shown to have a detrimental affect on many aspects of health. Foods rich in this type of fat are chips, fried foods, pre-packaged popcorn, biscuits, mayonnaise, margarines and many pre-prepared salad dressings.

Eating a diet high in trans fats can also reduce how well your body uses omega 3 fatty acids. In essence remove or significantly reduce your intake of these damaged and damaging fats as best as possible.

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Lifestyle support

Getting as healthy as possible during the preconception window is about nourishing your body and your mind.

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Stress Stress is not the preserve of the over-worked as often thought. In fact, under-achieving, dissatisfaction with where you are in your life, under- and over-exercising are all potential ‘stressors’ to the body.

When your body experiences stress it adopts a ‘fight-or-flight’ response. This triggers the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This affects digestion, blood pressure, circulation and brain function and, over time, other areas of health such as

hormone balance and nutrient levels. In Henrietta’s clinic, supporting the ability of her clients to manage stress during preconception is a primary focus.

Making small tweaks to your every day such as walking in your lunch hour, going to bed earlier or starting yoga, massage sessions or meditation can provide opportunities to unwind. This is especially helpful during the fertility journey but also during pregnancy and parenthood.

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Caffeine Caffeine, especially in the form of coffee, has been shown to have a direct effect on fertility in some men and women. Studies have shown that drinking as little as one cup of coffee a day can decrease fertility and a successful pregnancy by 50%. Sperm health has been shown to be affected the greatest by substantially influencing sperm count, motility and abnormalities.

Ingredients found in de-caffeinated drinks such as theobromine can also be problematic if drunk excessively. Henrietta advises her clients to minimise caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks where possible, including colas, diet-colas, chocolate. When you do choose to drink one, make it a quality cup of organic coffee or loose leaf black, white or green tea.

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Alcohol Alcohol can affect both male and female fertility. The British Medical Journal showed that women who had less than five units of alcohol a week where twice as likely to become pregnant in a 6-month period than those women who drank more than this.

Current recommendations by the Food Standard Agency suggests limiting alcohol altogether during the preconception period and if you do drink, have no more than1-2 units once a week.

In men, alcohol can affect sperm count, motility and quality. Additionally alcohol can affect hormone balance as well as reducing nutrient stores of key minerals for fertility such as Zinc.

There are times when a good glass of wine has its place and this is true during the preconception period too. However treat alcohol mindfully, respecting the research and, if you do drink alcohol, never drink it on an empty stomach as this will affect how well the liver can process it.

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Environmental factors Environmental exposure to toxins from pesticides and the plastic industry have been shown to impact on hormone balance and sperm production. A group of chemical mimics of the hormone oestrogen called Xenoestrogens have been shown to be especially disruptive during the preconception period.

To avoid these as much as possible eat organic produce, particularly with grains, fruit and vegetables you cannot peel, meat and dairy. Toxic metals such as mercury

and lead may also impact fertility in both men and women. These can be found in pesticides, heavy consumption of oily fish, dental fillings.

Additionally, exposure to other chemicals and toxic metals found in cigarettes, have also been shown to impact on healthy foetal development. This is the ideal time to find the support you need to give up smoking for both of you.

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Other factors such as geopathic and electromagnetic stress from computers, phones and digital clocks for example can also influence fertility rates.

Medication can impact on your nutrient levels too, for example Metformin can reduce stores of vitamin B12, the contraceptive pill can reduce vitamin B6 and beneficial flora, statin medication reduces co-enzyme Q10 stores.

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Good Liver Health: The engine room The hormonal balance needed for fertility is greatly influenced by optimal liver function. Aside from its daily task of detoxifying substances such as caffeine and environmental toxins it also chemically alters an excess of or used hormones. If this process does not happen effectively, hormonal imbalances can occur affecting fertility and other health concerns such as endometriosis, acne, PMS, PCOS.

Many of Henrietta’s clients have found that following a liver cleansing programme prior to conception has been very beneficial. For more information, look at our Wild Nutrition Total Cleanse Programme.

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Complementary Recipes

For our complementary selection of seasonal recipes, designed to support your Fertility Programme, please visit: wildnutrition.com/recipes

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Š2018 Wild Nutrition Ltd. Unit 2 The Old Brewery, Thomas Street, Lewes, BN7 2FQ All information correct at time of going to print. Products subject to change at any time without notice. @wildnutritionltd enquiries@wildnutrition.com +44 (0)1273 447898 wildnutrition.com

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