If you visit any of the fertility chat rooms on the Internet, one of the main topics discussed is what foods women should eat to increase their chances of pregnancy and having babies. A variety of nutritional supplements are promoted as helpful in increasing fertility, and there are a variety of foods that contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
But amidst all these myths and marketing slogans, what is the evidence to support the idea that eating certain foods leads to increased male or female fertility and promotes normal fetal development?
First, when it comes to contributing to the health of a pregnant woman or fetus, few nutrients can make a real difference, like folic acid. Consuming it before and during pregnancy has been shown to help prevent the birth defect called “anencephaly” and spina bifida in the fetus.
Because these defects usually develop early in pregnancy, before a woman realizes she is pregnant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States recommends that all women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Fortifying staple foods such as breakfast cereals with folic acid may provide strong protection against these abnormalities, as many pregnancies are unintended. In 2019, it was estimated that effective folic acid fortification programs prevented 22 percent of cases of anencephaly and spina bifida worldwide.
Folic acid may have an additional benefit: when taken by women trying to conceive, it may increase their chances of becoming pregnant, although more tests are needed to prove this.
But what about other nutritional supplements? Is there really a diet that increases the chances of getting pregnant?
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To answer this question, it is useful to first review the main causes of infertility. In the United States, 15 percent of couples are infertile after one year of unprotected sex. There could be many reasons for this. On the woman’s side, the ovaries may not be able to produce healthy eggs or the eggs may not be able to move from the ovary to the uterus – for example because of the fallopian tube. Even if the egg successfully makes the journey, it may fail to attach to the lining of the uterus or die after attachment.
On the male side, sperm quality is very important for fertility. These include their ability to move effectively, their shape, size and number. Many factors can threaten sperm quality, including environmental problems such as pollution. Even after testing, the cause of infertility is not always clear, as 15 percent of infertility cases are unknown.
While there’s no single diet or supplement that can quickly fix these potential problems, experts say the quality of your diet can be beneficial during and after trying to conceive.
The most obvious thing is that proper nutrition is essential. The effects of malnutrition can be devastating to the health of parents.
Arguably the most famous results reached in the field was a study involving babies carried by mothers during the so-called “Dutch Hunger Winter” of 1944, eight months after the Nazis cut off food. Materials from the Netherlands at the end of World War II. Pregnant women live on only 400 calories a day, which is a small percentage of the recommended diet for a healthy pregnancy.
Babies born during that period faced many serious health consequences because they were shorter and thinner and had smaller heads than babies born before or after. As adults, they had higher rates of obesity, diabetes and schizophrenia, and died younger.
It is important for people who get enough food to eat the right combination of nutrients. While discussions about healthy diets typically focus on female fertility, there is now a growing awareness of how diet affects male fertility as well.
A study of couples who had reproduced through in vitro fertilization found that the men’s meat consumption, and specifically the types of meat, affected the outcomes of these procedures. Eating more poultry had a positive effect on fertility rates, while eating processed meat (such as sausage and cured ham) had a negative effect. Men who ate the least processed meat had an 82 percent chance of impregnating their wives, while men who ate the most processed meat had only a 54 percent chance.
Even after conception, the quality of foods eaten by the father can indirectly affect the fetus.
A study conducted by researchers at the Australian University of Queensland found that what parents eat has a lasting impact on their children’s health. A team of researchers analyzed data from nearly 200 couples who received antenatal care at Mater Mothers Hospital in Brisbane, Australia’s largest maternity hospital. The study found that what men eat has a significant impact on women. Other studies indicate that a father’s weight can influence the weight of children over a generation.
“The relationship between fertility and men’s health and nutrition is often overlooked, but it is very important,” says Shelley Wilkinson, a nutritionist and one of the researchers involved in the study at the University of Queensland. their grandchildren.”
Wilkinson also stresses the importance of both moms and dads making necessary changes to their diets: “If one partner follows dietary guidelines, the other is more likely to do the same. We need to focus on helping women and men stay healthy. Changes, or we lose.” Half the battle.”
One change that can help is increasing the amount of fat in a couple’s diet — the healthy kind. Healthy fats are found in nuts, seeds, salmon, avocado and olive oil. Saturated fatty acids — found in natural and synthetic sources, such as butter, donuts, fried foods and other processed foods — increase the risk of infertility.
A diet that includes lots of plants can also help. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health analyzed the foods eaten by 18,555 women during the eight years they were pregnant or trying to conceive. For example, researchers found that consuming plant protein found in legumes was associated with a more than 50 percent lower risk of infertility than animal protein found in foods like red meat.
In 2021, the authors of a scientific review of research into the potential relationship between diet and female fertility concluded that, although their recommendations focused on women, “diet and dietary patterns are undoubtedly of great importance in relation to male and female fertility.”
The researchers looked in detail at the effects of individual nutrients and foods containing them. They also focused on the importance of employing a nutritionist as part of the care provided to couples planning pregnancy.
In general, researchers recommend eating foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole-wheat pasta and whole-wheat bread (as a source of carbohydrates), sources of healthy fats such as fatty fish, and sources of protein such as legumes. Eggs and low-fat red meat.
They also pointed out the important role that certain nutrients play, despite their neglect. It contains iodine, which helps in the healthy development of the fetus and the health of the thyroid gland in the pregnant woman.
When it comes to drinking alcohol, the advice is clear and consistent across studies. “There is no safe dose when pregnant or trying to become pregnant,” says the CDC. This applies to all types of alcohol, including all types of wine and beer. The advice is to avoid it altogether.
If you have concerns or questions about your diet and how it may affect your fertility, the best course of action is to consult your doctor. Although certain foods appear to play a positive role in fertility, it is important not to overestimate their abilities. Infertility is a complex matter, and so are its causes. Worrying about the foods one eats can cause stress, guilt, and shame. People trying to conceive often need to make sure the problem isn’t caused by something they ate or didn’t eat.
People with fertility issues usually look for a diet that boosts fertility, but Wilkinson says it’s generally better to eat a healthy diet. “In fertility chat rooms, there’s a lot of talk about pineapple being a magic food that can boost fertility if eaten by a woman trying to conceive. However, there isn’t a single food or supplement that does it.”
*All contents of the article are provided for general information only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice provided by healthcare professionals.HealthyH.
Disclaimer: The BBC accepts no legal liability about what A diagnosis or action by a user based on content on this site. You should always consult Doctor If you are in any way concerned about your health or the health of your child.
Winter marks the best time for the development of many viruses that are active during cold weather and affect many organs of the body, among them the most important ones Lungs Especially among certain groups.
According to my website Health site“, and this” Lung base“Older people and children are prone to lung diseases when the temperature drops, so the following tips should be followed to avoid lung problems in winter.
Monitor indoor air quality
As older adults spend a significant amount of time indoors, indoor air quality should be maintained as well as possible, and studies have shown that improving indoor air quality can significantly benefit respiratory health. Practical measures such as regular ventilation and use of air purifiers show promising reductions. Up to 30% of respiratory-related hospitalizations among the elderly
Take precautions
Emphasis should be placed on adopting multiple preventive measures to improve protection, such as masks, during outbreaks, and their use as a preventive measure to protect against airborne viruses should be encouraged.
Get vaccinated
Taking steps to protect yourself from respiratory infections like influenza, pneumonia, and corona is especially important if you have lung disease or are elderly, because vaccination is one of the most effective ways to maintain your health and reduce the severity of viruses. Problems with your health.
Maintain healthy habits
It is important to follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your immune system and increase efficiency. However, in winter you may face difficulties in regular exercise, but you should encourage yourself to improve lung health. The food you eat provides. A body with the nutrients and energy it needs to breathe. Choose light meals. Nutritious.
Patients with lung disease should not stop taking regular medications without consulting a doctor.
A lung exam is performed
Doctors recommend regular lung health screening, especially for people with a family history of lung disease, smokers and people living in polluted areas.
The Ministry of Health and Social Security has announced the update of the UAE National Framework on Climate Change and its Impact on Health as part of efforts to combat climate change and the effects of air pollution on health.
The framework launched by the Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and in collaboration with relevant government agencies at the state level, aims to address the impact of climate change on health and ensure the well-being of community members.
This happened during a session organized by the ministry as part of the proceedings of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) hosted by the United Arab Emirates at Expo City Dubai.
The national framework focuses on several axes: governance, policies and participation to protect health from climate change and resilient health systems to address climate change through robust monitoring, early warning and response. In addition to mobilizing support for improving the public health response to climate change.
Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al-Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health and Social Security, said: “A proactive response to climate change in the health sector in the UAE is one of the government’s priorities. The Ministry of Health and Social Security recognizes that having tools to monitor, control and predict disease is a pillar. “This is essential in achieving the declaration of establishing a world-leading health system and renewing the UAE’s national framework. Climate change and its impact on health is part of its efforts and interest to implement effective measures to prevent the impact of climate change and air pollution on health.
Al-Rand added: “The Ministry worked with its partners to update the national framework by benefiting from its previous experiences when it was launched in 2019, as this update keeps pace with climate changes and changes occurring globally, and helps. Anticipate the consequences of this issue and its implications for changing disease patterns in order to protect the health and well-being of community members.
session
Head of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Dr. Maysoun Al-Shali and Dr Mazen Malkawi, representative of the World Health Organization, participated in a discussion session following the announcement. National framework, health and environmental policy makers, in the presence of an elite group of experts and health professionals, and climate change, a group of researchers and people interested in climate issues.
The session saw discussions on the importance of the UAE National Framework on Climate Change and Health as it has a strategic response to the public health challenges posed by climate change and ensures its effectiveness and continuity in line with global best practices. Health challenges associated with climate change.
The session focused on addressing current policies on climate change and health, how to integrate climate change into health policies and strategies, improve community participation, raise awareness of the health impacts of climate change, and improve intergovernmental collaboration. , the private sector and international organizations discuss the importance of establishing robust monitoring systems to monitor impacts and climate-related health.
Strengthen
Dr. Maysoun Al-Shali stressed that expert discussions of health and environmental policymakers and climate change experts will improve the effectiveness of this framework and contribute to the development of evidence-based policies and strategies that address the health effects of climate change. To transform and ensure the well-being of populations, the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices among participants leads to increased awareness and capacity building of climate change and its impact on health.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Health and Social Security, as part of its efforts to update the UAE National Framework on Climate Change and its Impact on Health, organized training workshops on measuring and assessing the impacts of climate change. It was discussed, in collaboration with the World Health Organization Regional Office and relevant government agencies in the country, that these workshops included methods and ways to assess the risks of air pollution on health, and implementation of more. Group exercises to measure and assess health vulnerability to climate change and evaluate existing response and adaptation options in the health sector.
Dr. Ibrahim Rashid, Consultant Psychiatrist at Qasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine, said that some people, when exposed to psychological stress, tension, anxiety and insomnia, CoughIt is basically the body’s reaction as a result of controlling negative emotions.
The psychological consultant also said that psychological cough is a non-pathological symptom, which means that the person is not sick with a disease like cold or flu, the reason why it is called psychological cough is due to a psychological factor and not pathological.
Rashid pointed out that psychological cough occurs in the form of repeated attacks and increases when a person is stressed and anxious, and is accompanied by certain symptoms such as itching at the back of the throat and inability to breathe normally. In addition to the urge to cough, these symptoms cause insomnia in a person. And if the psychological cause leading to the cough is not controlled and treated, things can get worse.
The mental health consultant explained that dealing with the psychological factors that lead to coughing is one of the most important tips to get rid of it. You can practice yoga as it helps in managing and coping with cough. Tactics that contribute to psychological relaxation and a sense of peace, so don’t hesitate.
If the symptoms get worse, he should consult a psychiatrist to get rid of the stress and anxiety causing the cough, he said, adding that all this happens only after confirming that the person has no other cause. Appearance of cough.
