Diet
For those couples embarking on the journey through IVF, diet is as important as ever. The foods you eat create a nutritional foundation upon which all your bodily functions are built.
Your diet factors in hormone production, semen production, your egg count, egg quality, the quality of your uterine lining, and a whole slew of other fertility-related processes. Therefore, it stands to reason your diet plays a fairly significant role in the success of your IVF treatment, from the start.
Nutrition links with fertility in many different ways:
- Being underweight can lead to anovulation, reduced estrogen levels, and increased miscarriage risks
- Obesity affects menstruation regularity
- Obesity can lead to ovulatory issues and diminished responses to fertility drugs
- Obese women are at higher risk for miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, or toxemia
- PCOS is linked with insulin resistance, which causes hormonal imbalances in the ovaries
- Hormonal imbalances can interrupt the normal cycle of ovulation
- Being overweight can upset the balance of sex hormones, with or without PCOS
- Excess abdominal fat can increase the production of androgen levels, which must be consistent for regular ovulation and conception
- Excess body fat can trigger imbalances of the hypothalamus and pituitary hormones in the brain, which are needed for normal ovulation
- Increased insulin levels due to either obesity or PCOS disrupt the balance of sex hormones in the ovaries, which can interfere with ovulation
An anti-inflammatory diet is instrumental in IVF success.
To that end, minimize the intake of processed foods, fast foods, and sugar. Healthy fats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and clean proteins such as fish, legumes, and low-fat poultry are all part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Whole grains, omega 3-rich fish, and nuts contribute significantly to a healthy uterine lining. Soy products are fine and even considered to be beneficial, for women undergoing IVF.
Dr Wynand E. van Tonder
Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist
Sub-specialist Reproductive Medicine
MB ChB (Stell) | FCOG (SA) | MMed O&G (UFS) | MRep Med (Valencia Spain) | MGyn Endo Surg (AITAS) | Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgeon (GESEA)
Contact us
Tel: +27 11 463 4833
Emergency: +27 11 321 0111
reception@drwynandvantonder.co.za
reception2@drwynandvantonder.co.za
Find us
Diet
For those couples embarking on the journey through IVF, diet is as important as ever. The foods you eat create a nutritional foundation upon which all your bodily functions are built.
Your diet factors in hormone production, semen production, your egg count, egg quality, the quality of your uterine lining, and a whole slew of other fertility-related processes. Therefore, it stands to reason your diet plays a fairly significant role in the success of your IVF treatment, from the start.
Nutrition links with fertility in many different ways:
- Being underweight can lead to anovulation, reduced estrogen levels, and increased miscarriage risks
- Obesity affects menstruation regularity
- Obesity can lead to ovulatory issues and diminished responses to fertility drugs
- Obese women are at higher risk for miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, or toxemia
- PCOS is linked with insulin resistance, which causes hormonal imbalances in the ovaries
- Hormonal imbalances can interrupt the normal cycle of ovulation
- Being overweight can upset the balance of sex hormones, with or without PCOS
- Excess abdominal fat can increase the production of androgen levels, which must be consistent for regular ovulation and conception
- Excess body fat can trigger imbalances of the hypothalamus and pituitary hormones in the brain, which are needed for normal ovulation
- Increased insulin levels due to either obesity or PCOS disrupt the balance of sex hormones in the ovaries, which can interfere with ovulation
An anti-inflammatory diet is instrumental in IVF success.
To that end, minimize the intake of processed foods, fast foods, and sugar. Healthy fats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and clean proteins such as fish, legumes, and low-fat poultry are all part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Whole grains, omega 3-rich fish, and nuts contribute significantly to a healthy uterine lining. Soy products are fine and even considered to be beneficial, for women undergoing IVF.