Inflammation and Infertility: The Link
If you are trying to get pregnant, it is possible that you might have come across the word inflammation. So what does it mean? Inflammation is a vital process that helps with immune protection and tissue repair. It is triggered in response to stress which can occur in an unhealthy diet, injury, illness, sleep deprivation, physiological stress, and emotional stress. Your body reacts to these feelings in kind by releasing chemical regulators that restore its natural environment, also known as homeostasis.
These chemical regulators are released from the WBCs of your body which is responsible for communicating with your tissues and cells. These chemical messengers are often small proteins known as cytokines that can help quantify inflammation or activate your immune system.
Can Inflammation Be a Cause of Infertility Problems?
Inflammation and its resolution are tightly regulated processes, and controlling the inflammation in your body is crucial for successful implantation. If you suffer from acute inflammation, you need not worry because that is normal and is a healthy response from your body relating to stress or injury. Chronic inflammation, however, may be a problem as it is an indicator of bigger issues such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and infertility. So, in short, yes. Inflammation does cause infertility problems.
Inflammation that is out of control has a major impact on male and female fertility alike, as it impacts the quality of the egg and the sperm. Therefore, controlling the levels of inflammation in your body will significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Now on to some anti-inflammatory strategies that can help you boost your fertility levels!
Chronic Inflammation, Infertility - Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress and inflammation are your biggest concerns when it comes to getting pregnant. So how do you reduce them?
The good news for you is that you can adopt certain strategies to dampen the inflammation and oxidative stress levels, if not eradicate them. It is very effective in enhancing fertility rates and pregnancy success so let's get into it.
One big factor contributing to inflammation is your diet. Your diet can manipulate your gut microbiota and have an impact on your inflammation levels. Modulators that balance your inflammation through your diet are Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and a prebiotic fiber-rich diet.
Try and make sure that you incorporate whole grains in your diet and fresh fruits, lots of veggies, and more!
Here is a list of some prebiotic foods that you can add to your diet:
Artichokes
Chicory
Garlic
Onion
Leek
Shallots
Spring onion
Asparagus
Beetroot
Fennel bulb
Green peas
Sweetcorn
Savoy cabbage
Custard apples
Nectarines
White peaches
Persimmon
Tamarillo
Barley
Rye bread
Can we put into two columns?
Pro Tip:
A great way to ingest most of these items would be through breakfast smoothies, which you can even drink on the go.
Pregnancies are not easy; infertility is even harder. There is so much stigma attached to it that it prevents us from discussing how we feel about it with others. The sooner we open and share, the sooner we can help get better. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help!
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