10:00 pm
Friday 28 January 2022
I wrote – Shaima Morsi
If the foods you eat are healthy and nutritious, you will have a good and long life, while if they are loaded with trans fats and salt, there is a risk of chronic disease. Even for those trying to conceive, their food choices play a huge role in increasing their chances of a healthy pregnancy.
According to researchers from Harvard TH Chan Public Health and Harvard Medical School, women who are trying to conceive naturally should take specific vitamins and minerals to increase their chances, and there are three nutrients that should be part of a fertility diet.
1. Folic acid:
Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9, which is required by the body to produce healthy red blood cells, improve immune function and reduce fatigue. A low level of this nutrient increases the risk of homocysteine, birth defects, and even cancer, plus folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B. 9, and common sources of this nutrient are green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, lettuce, beans, peas, lentils, lemons, bananas, and melons.
2. Vitamin B12:
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is required for blood formation and the functioning of the nervous system. Although it is an essential nutrient, our bodies cannot produce it on its own, so it must rely on food sources and supplements. A deficiency of this nutrient leads to tube defects. Studies have shown that up to 80-90 percent of vegetarians suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, so these people should include vitamin B12 supplements in the diet. Common sources of vitamin B12 include dairy products, fish and poultry.
3. Omega 3 fatty acids:
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, reduce blood pressure, and increase levels of HDL cholesterol, but for pregnant women, these healthy fats are especially essential to support brain and eye development in babies and prevent premature birth. Nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are common sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
What else does the study suggest?
The Harvard study also notes that antioxidants, vitamin D, dairy, soy, caffeine, and alcohol have little or no effect on fertility, but that eating a lot of trans fats such as processed meats, sweets, and sodas has a negative effect on pregnancy.
How does diet affect men’s health?
Not only women, but even men, should include healthy foods in their diet when trying to conceive, and the study indicates that semen quality in men improves when they eat healthy food, while the quality declines when the diet is rich in saturated or trans fats, and alcohol has Caffeine also has some effect on pregnancy.