Tag Archive for: wellness

By Mariela Amiri, Traditional Naturopath & Patient Coordinator

 

Nobody likes to think about worms, amoebas, and other creepy crawlers living inside our bodies! But unfortunately, this is a very real and common health concern. In fact, parasitic infections are quite common in the United States, affecting millions of Americans through new or chronic infections. However, these diseases typically go undiagnosed due to lack of awareness among health care providers, as well as the relative inaccessibility or unavailability of the right diagnostic tests.

So let’s educate ourselves on this health issue to learn all about parasites, the havoc they can wreak in our systems, and the detoxification, nutritional, and lifestyle steps we can take to eliminate or prevent parasite infections in our households. 

 

What is a Parasite? 

A parasite is a plant or animal that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage. Parasites include multi-celled and single-celled animals, fungi, and bacteria, and some include candida and viruses. Without a host, a parasite cannot live, grow, and multiply. For this reason, a parasite rarely kills its host, but it can spread diseases, ranging from the mildly annoying to the severe or even fatal.

 

Types of Parasites 

Roundworms are typically found in warmer climates but are common worldwide and can grow to about the size of a pencil. (Anclastomic, Ascaris, Dog heartworm, Pinworms, Strongyloides, Toxicara, Trichinella, Whipworm,)

Flatworms-Tapeworms Family (Bladder Worm, Beef Tapeworm, Dog tapeworm, Dwarf tapeworm, Fish tapeworm, Pork tapeworm, Rat Tapeworm) Infections from tapeworms usually occur from ingesting undercooked or raw meat or from contaminated food, water, soil, or hand to mouth contact. 

Flatworms- Fluke Family (Blood Flukes, Fish Flukes, Intestinal Flukes, Liver Flukes, Lymph Flukes, Pancreatic Flukes) 

Single-Cell Parasites (Amoebas, Anaplams, Babesia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia, Leishmaniasis, Neospora, Plasmodium, Sarcocystis, Spinal Fluid Parasites, Toxoplasma, Trichomonas)

 

What Are the Symptoms of a Parasite Infection? 

Parasites can negatively affect any part of the body and immune system. One can experience a range of  neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, to inflammatory symptoms. There is a parasitical connection and neurological disorders- narcissistic behaviors, schizophrenia, dissociative disorders, paranoia, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, MS, epilepsy, seizures, ADD, ADHD, brain and spinal cord issues, brain lesions, poor balance. 

Parasites can also live in the sinus cavities (Ascaris Lumbricoides-nematode roundworms) causing nasal discharge, nasal obstructions, facial pain, headaches, allergies, and chronically swollen tonsils. The most common parasitic symptoms are in the gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea, slow bowel movements, stomach upset, slow digestion, gas bloating, food intolerances.  

Roundworm Symptoms: allergies, sinus issues, anemia, asthma, digestive disturbance, grinding teeth at night, intestinal gas, restlessness, lymphatic issues, snoring and weight gain. Calcium deficiency often accompanies roundworm infestation.  

Flatworm Symptoms: feeling toxic, dizzy, foggy thinking, hunger pains, poor digestion, allergies, bloating, high and/or low blood sugar, gas, jaundice, mineral imbalance, thyroid imbalance, disturbed sleep and teeth-grinding. Infections from tapeworms usually occur from ingesting undercooked or raw meat or from contaminated food, water, soil, or hand to mouth contact. 

Blood Flukes Symptoms: blood clots, high blood pressure, stroke, The bone marrow may also be affected. Blood flukes take up amino acids, especially arginine, which may cause a protein imbalance. 

Fish Flukes Symptoms:  skin issues, liver and intestinal disturbances including feelings of pressure and gas.

Intestinal Flukes Symptoms: sinuses, mucus, indigestion, intestinal problems, prostate problems, issues associated with dioxin poisoning. 

Liver Flukes Symptoms: Liver disorders, pain near the liver. 

Lung Flukes: anemia, dry cough, coughs that persist, shortness of breath, impaired breathing, redness in the whites of the eyes. Lung flukes may cause oxygen starvation to the entire blood system. Keep in mind that weakened lungs may lead to other lung illnesses such as repeated flu, pneumonia, and fungal infections. 

Lymph Flukes Symptoms: lymph disorders, including breast cancer, lymphoma and leukemia. 

Pancreatic Flukes Symptoms: autism, sugar imbalances – both low and high, candida overgrowth in the liver, and pancreatic disorders of any kind.

 

Parasites and Testing 

Why lab stool parasite testing is unreliable & inaccurate: 

  1. Parasites have a self-dissolving mechanism. They can excrete an enzyme that makes them dissolve in about 24 hours after being purged from the body/die. 
  2. The skill level of the individual examining the microscopic specimen is critical to accurate results. Parasite ova can be easily missed if the sample is not examined thoroughly, & false positive results can occur because other substances – pollen, insect ova, & plants can look similar to parasites & their ova. 
  3. Parasites live throughout the body, not just the colon. They love living in the brain, sinuses, lungs, pancreas, joints and many other organs. This is just one more reason why parasite stool testing is an unreliable source to confirm if you have parasites. 

 

 

A Few Fun Facts about Parasites 

If you’ve ever had a parasitic infection, you know there is nothing fun about them! But here are a few interesting facts: 

  • Worms can grow more than 3 feet long.
  • Hookworm transmission transmitted by walking barefoot on contaminated soil.
  • One can get roundworms and whipworms by ingesting parasite eggs, through uncooked food.
  • 200 roundworms are considered a moderate infection in a child’s intestines. Each worm can be 8-12 inches long.
  • Adult worm parasites can live up to 30 years inside the human body!
  • Malaria causes the most deaths globally (400,00 per year)
  • Parasites can lump together in the human body in balls and appear as cancer tumors.
  • The largest recorded human parasite extracted to date is 37 feet long!!
  • Toxoplasma gondii is linked to ADD, schizophrenia, suicidal behaviors.
  • Follicle mites can live directly on the human body. Up to four mites can attach to one hair follicle.
  • The second cause of blindness in the world is caused by a parasitic worm called Onchocerca Volvulus.
  • Hookworm infection is linked to low blood count.
  • The Naegleria Fowleri amoeba is responsible for brain inflammation/meningitis.
  • Approximately 50 million children in the US have a parasitic infection.
  • Chagas is a parasitic infection considered to be “the new AIDS.”
  • A square foot of a single carpet houses about 10,000 dust mites.
  • Parasites multiply quickly. They can have their own parasites, and they can have even more parasites!

 

In part two of this series, I will dive into the ways we can test for parasites, how to detox them from our systems, and the holistic nutritional and lifestyle steps we can take to treat and prevent future infections.  

 

Read Part 2 

 

An Interview with Dr. Kathryn Hale, Abundant Health Life 

 

Here at Longevity, we love partnering with and promoting like-minded practitioners in the community as we come alongside our patients on their wellness journeys. One of those practitioners is Dr. Kathryn Hale. 

 

Dr. Hale is a board-certified OBGYN with specialized training in Functional Medicine and Integrative Women’s Health. She has nearly a decade and a half of experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She completed her internship and residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, receiving valuable high-risk experience at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis. She served at a community health center in South Carolina before moving to North Georgia, where she practiced for over seven years as part of a single specialty group. She has also spent the past few years working as a Diplomat OBGYN Hospitalist with OB Hospitalist Group. 

 

Dr. Hale believes we are designed to live a whole and vibrant life now, and we can achieve an abundant, healthy life through a holistic approach to wellness. The conditions she treats include hypothyroidism and other endocrine disorders, and hormone imbalances. She also provides preconception/fertility and weight loss support. 

 

We interviewed Dr. Hale to learn more about her practice and the integrative services she offers. 

 

What is the heart and mission behind your practice and the work you do?  

 

I want to empower women to achieve the health and vitality they deserve to live life on their terms. 

 

When it comes to their reproductive and hormonal health, what do you think is the biggest obstacle or risk factor facing women today? What do you wish more women knew when it comes to their overall health and wellness?

 

The biggest obstacle facing women’s health is that women are often just not heard when they seek care. I wish more women knew that they deserve the time and investment it takes to make their health a priority. If they are well, the benefits trickle down to those they love and care about. They deserve to be well nourished and have the strength and energy to meet the demands of their lives. Achieving better health doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple sustainable shifts can alter  the trajectory of your health journey.

 

So many of our female patients come to us with insomnia issues. What are your recommendations for getting more restorative sleep? 

 

I recommend that women treat their sleep like they treat babies learning to sleep at night. Establish a consistent sleep schedule.  Develop a wind down routine that includes blue blocking  glasses from sundown, shutting down electronics at least an hour before bedtime. Create safety in your body through relaxation practices such as epsom salt baths and yoga. Release the day by dumping thoughts into a journal. Some women also benefit from natural progesterone supplementation, magnesium glycinate and herbs and supplements that help to calm the nervous system like Lavender and L-theanine. Cut out the afternoon caffeine if you struggle with sleep. 

 

What are some simple steps women  can take today to manage stress, prevent disease, and feel more whole and vibrant in mind, body, and spirit? 

 

Slow down. Many women that I see are burned out and suffering the consequences of hormone dysfunction and autoimmune disease. Prioritize hydration, a nutrient dense diet, regular movement and spiritual/mind body practices. I’ve also been discovering more and more that women suffer from lack of meaningful connection and prioritizing joy. 

 

Our practice takes a preventative approach to women’s health, utilizing proactive testing to assess disease development and holistic supporting therapies to promote detoxification. How can our practices work hand-in-hand to help our clients feel their very best?  

 

I love that. I am definitely a fan of regular comprehensive detox and taking a proactive approach to wellness. I have the knowledge and experience to support the whole woman when situations arise that require more expertise in terms of hormonal health and women’s health in general. Abundant Health Life can come alongside Longevity Health when Functional Testing is needed to dig deeper and get to the root of what is impacting a woman’s health. We also offer a wide range of nutrition, hormonal, herbal and if need be pharmaceutical therapeutics to help a woman heal from the inside out. As a telemedicine practice, we also bring this type of care to women who, due to the logistics of life or geography, have challenges in accessing whole body wellness services.

 

To learn more about Dr. Hale and her practice, visit https://www.abundanthealthlife.com/ 

Here at Longevity, we love hearing testimonials from our patients who have experienced amazing transformations with their health.  Enjoy this encouraging story from Julie V. whose son Gracen experienced amazing results with our Frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy.  If you have a testimonial to share, we’d love to hear from you and use your story to encourage others!

 

Describe your son’s health concerns when you first started at Longevity. 

 

My son Gracen was 12 years old at the time, and a very active and talented multi-sport athlete. Doctors had diagnosed him with a condition called Osteonecrosis, commonly referred to as “Death of the Bone.” He had been kicked in the upper shin so many times playing sports that he had lost blood supply to his knee. The doctors were recommending multiple surgeries, and even then, complete healing did not look likely. Gracen  was in a lot of pain and his knee was giving out on him causing him to fall frequently.

 

What was your first experience with our office like? What was your son’s initial response to the treatments?

 

We were desperate for help and praying for answers, and I can confidently say that God led us to Longevity! The first time I called, the staff members were so kind, confident, and positive. They recommended Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) and assured us this therapy would help restore blood flow to the area. Gracen enjoyed visiting the clinic for his treatments. After only three sessions, all of his painful symptoms were completely gone!  We took him back for an X-ray, and where the bone was once completely black, it was now totally white again! The doctors said he was completely cured! 

 

Describe your son’s overall health picture today. What is your overall impression of Longevity Health Center, the practitioners and staff?  

 

Today Gracen is 16 years old and is still a stellar soccer and football athlete. He’s never again had any trouble with his knees! We are so thankful for Longevity and love telling people about the amazing staff members, and the way FSM helped Gracen keep doing what he loves.  I highly recommend this therapy for student athletes with injuries, or anyone dealing with pain and inflammation. 

 

Learn more about FSM at https://longevityhealth.com/fsm/ 

An Interview with Dr. Alise Jones-Bailey of Buckhead Functional Medicine 

 

Here at Longevity, we love partnering with like-minded practitioners in the community as we come alongside our patients on their wellness journeys. One of those trusted practitioners is Dr. Alise Jones-Bailey of Buckhead Functional Medicine. Her traditional functional medicine practice specializes in women’s health, digestive disorders, weight loss, cardiovascular disease, diabetes prevention, hormonal health, and immune system deficiencies.

 

We sat down with Dr. Jones-Bailey for a little Q&A to learn more about her practice, the services she offers, and her approach to overall health and wellness. 

 

What is the heart and mission behind your practice and the work you do? 

 

I am board certified in OB/Gyn and certified in Functional Medicine. The word doctor is derived from the Latin verb “docere’ meaning to teach. The mission behind my practice is to educate my patients health and disease while showing them the evidence based functional medicine practices. These practices promote prevention and ” healthspan over lifespan.”

 

What do you think is the biggest health factor or risk facing women today? 

 

Stress in my opinion, followed by obesity. This is so often behind mental and physical challenges many of us experience. Obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer, uterine cancer, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and others.

 

So many of our patients are concerned about hormonal health and its impact on their metabolism/weight, reproductive health, mood, and energy. What kind of approach do you take on hormone balance, and what services do you offer in this department? 

 

Hormonal health for both men and women is key to health and a sense of well being. Whether we are talking about sex hormones, stress hormones, sleep hormones or thyroid hormones, they all work collaboratively. Measuring and monitoring are key tools to hormone optimization.

 

What do you wish women understood when it comes to understanding and balancing their hormones?

 

Women experience many hormone transition periods throughout their lives as do men. From childhood to puberty to childbearing years, menopause and postmenopause hormone dynamics are at play. Understanding these transitions and proactively managing them via lifestyle supportive practices is the key to navigating! Specifically, adequate sleep, a quality diet, exercise, adequate water intake, spiritual practices, community and daily sunlight lie at the core.

 

Our practice takes a preventative approach to breast and reproductive health, utilizing proactive thermography testing to assess disease development and holistic detoxifying therapies such as lymphatic drainage massage. How can our practices work hand-in-hand to help our clients treat and get to the root cause of female health issues?

 

I love that your practice does such a phenomenal job with a proactive approach to female breast health! Recognizing that 80% of breast cancer is fueled by estrogen, all practices that support modulating estrogen are critical tools. Looking at lifestyle and genetic predispositions are important, allowing you to decrease risk factors as much as possible. Anti-estrogen and anti-inflammatory dietary nutrients from fiber, flaxseed, cocoa, aloe vera, cruciferous veggies, tumeric and seaweed to name a few are supportive here. Limiting alcohol, the less the better as studies are conflicting in this area. 

 

We can continue to work collaboratively with your patients by understanding individual risks,

and “test don’t guess!”  Look at genetics, look at hormone metabolism, look at genetic predisposing factors, and measure so you can see your progress in lowering or eliminating risk factors.

 

What advice or recommendations  do you have for our clients who are setting their 2023 wellness resolutions and goals this month? How can they get the most “bang for their buck” as they set new rhythms and habits for the year ahead? 

 

  • Leverage the power of lifestyle medicine. An excellent publication called The Original Prescription by Thomas Gilliams so eloquently reviews the science behind this concept and practice.
  • Let food be your medicine.
  • Limit environmental toxic exposures.
  • Control your thoughts with positivity and gratitude practices.
  • Get quality sleep.
  • Get daily sunlight for 60 minutes a day, winter or summer.
  • Turn off all electronics at least an hour before bedtime.
  • Engage a mindfulness or meditation daily practice.
  • Take care of your gut or the microbiome with pre and probiotics.

 

To learn more about Dr. Jones-Bailey and Buckhead Functional Medicine, visit https://www.buckheadfunctionalmedicine.com/ 

 

By Cristina McMullen, ND, Certified Wellness Coach, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

 

Infertility has been and remains to be one of the most significant medical and even social problems of our modern times. It is a phenomenon that affects around 50-80 million people worldwide, classifying 8-10% of couples as infertile. In the United States alone, 19% of women aged between 15-49 years old are unable to get pregnant after a solid year of trying to conceive. 

 

And this statistic is sadly on a steady incline. So much so that the use of assisted reproductive technology by infertile couples is increasing by about 5-10% per year! Yes, in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy has come a long, long way and has a much better success rate, but the drastic increase for its need makes you wonder why infertility rates are increasing so rapidly, and if there are more holistic measures couples could try before resorting to IVF and other fertility treatments. 

 

Let’s break down some of the most common causes of infertility as well as some nutritional, herbal, and therapeutic options that can help someone improve endocrine function and make it more likely for couples to be able to conceive naturally.

 

What Exactly is Infertility and What Causes It?

 

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after intentionally trying to for at least one full year. This inability to conceive can be caused by a whole host of underlying conditions that can be affecting either the woman or the man. In fact, roughly 30% of infertility is attributed solely to the female, another 30% is attributed solely to the male, 30% can be attributed to a combination of both partners, and another 10% seems to have an unknown cause. So, infertility indeed is a two-way street, but for today’s purposes, we are going to be focusing on female infertility.

 

Some of the more common causes of infertility in women include Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, diminished or low ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, thin endometrial lining,inflammatory disease of the uterus, and uterine fibroids. 

 

Endometriosis is a very complex disease that is becoming a major cause of infertility in women. Up to 30-50% of women with endometriosis suffer from infertility and a whopping 30-50% of infertile women have endometriosis. Though the medical community is not quite sure exactly what causes this disease, women who suffer from it usually have higher levels of estrogen than other women and is most likely at least part of what causes endometrial tissue to grow outside of the uterus and in the abdominal cavity. This build up of tissue outside of the uterus can cause a distorted anatomy of the pelvis, adhesions, scarred fallopian tubes, inflammation of the pelvic structures, changes to the hormonal environment of the eggs and altered egg quality, as well as impaired implantation of pregnancy. 

 

PCOS is another major cause of infertility, affecting roughly 5- 10% of women. It is caused by an overproduction of estrogen and increased testosterone levels that can affect egg quality and inhibit proper ovulation. Most, if not all, of the other causes of infertility also have some form of hormonal imbalance that may not be quite as severe but still affect the reproductive organs enough to inhibit a woman’s ability to conceive.

 

While hormonal imbalances are the major player in female infertility, there are still other factors that can play a rather significant role. Blood sugar imbalances, poor dietary choices, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxic environmental chemicals, chronic infections, and even extremely high levels of stress can all affect a woman’s body in a way that would inhibit her from being able to become pregnant.

 

Whatever the cause of infertility, at the root of all cases there is an imbalance or disruption in the body that needs to be corrected. According to the philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), infertility occurs because of a disrupted vital balance and blockage of Qi energy. In other words, a woman’s natural balanced state, from the time she begins menstruating to the time she begins menopause, is a state of “potentially conceiving” and any deviation from that state does not necessarily imply “infertility,” but means a shift from one’s optimum reproductive health. 

 

So the answer to infertility does not always have to rely on medical interventions like IVF, but rather can be resolved by figuring out what is causing her body to be out of balance and bringing it back into homeostasis.

 

Disruptions in the Body

 

There is no denying that in today’s world we are constantly being bombarded by chemicals and other environmental toxins. These chemicals build up in our bodies and can cause a whole slew of health issues. When it

comes to women and their reproductive health, a category of chemicals called endocrine disruptors are

of major concern. When these specific types of chemicals enter the bloodstream, they have the ability to mimic the body’s natural hormones and end up blocking or binding to hormone receptors. 

 

A specific subcategory of endocrine disrupting chemicals, called xenoestrogens, specifically have an estrogen-like effect. When these chemicals are in a woman’s body, they increase total estrogen, causing estrogen dominance. Since these chemicals are not biodegradable, they are also stored in fat cells and contribute to a host of endocrine disorders like endometriosis and PCOS, making them major underlying factors in infertility. Some of the more common xenoestrogens in our environment include parabens found in skincare products, BPA, phthalates, and PCBs found in plastics, and others found in insecticides, herbicides, glues, paints, and grocery store receipt paper. Certain foods that we eat even contain xenoestrogens from either the chemicals that were sprayed on them while growing or the fact that they are heavily processed and full of chemicals themselves.

 

Genetics and mutations to certain genes can also play a major role in a woman’s fertility. MTHFR mutations are alterations to certain genes that affect the body’s methylation pathways. Now,methylation is very intricate and complex, but in the case of infertility, you just need to know that methylation is involved in the breakdown of hormones and is also important for tissue growth and cellular development. This includes the growth of the endometrium and egg during the menstrual cycle. Since endometrial growth prepares a fertilized egg to implant into its lining, a disruption in methylation may affect early stages of pregnancy and even lead to miscarriages. 

 

Certain mutations can also cause follicles in women to make less estrogen, which then makes the ovaries less responsive to follicle stimulating hormones and can affect overall egg health and ovulation. High homocysteine levels are also associated with MTHFR mutations and high homocysteine levels have been correlated with a

lack of ovulation both in healthy women and those with PCOS. Homocysteine can also increase a woman’s risk of blood clots because it irritates blood vessels. In terms of pregnancy, this can interfere with implantation and embryonic development and can explain why some women end up needing to take blood thinners in order to successfully conceive.

 

Underlying chronic microbial infections can also put such a burden on the body that it is unable to conceive. For example, chronic yeast or fungal infections within the body can lead to a poor vaginal microbiome and can dramatically impact a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Other underlying viral infections such as Epstein Barr Virus and a heavy metal burden can tax the thyroid and affect its ability to produce other hormones needed for fertility. 

 

High levels of stress can exhaust the adrenal glands and also have a major impact on hormone production and overall fertility. There is a reason why we hear stories of couples who tried for years to get pregnant, only to finally find themselves pregnant after they gave up and stopped stressing out about the intricacies of the process. The body can become too stressed to take on anything else and once that main stressor was removed, it can finally prioritize conception. 

 

What Holistic Steps Can Be Taken To Improve Fertility Chances? 

 

Like the famous saying goes, “knowledge is power.” And now that we have a better understanding about some of the things that can cause imbalances in a woman’s body, we can figure out how bring the body back into harmony.

 

Detoxification and Supplementation

Before even considering pregnancy, a woman needs to make sure that the microbial and environmental toxins that are burdening her body are removed from her system. While there are some general suggestions on how to go about this, the toxic slew within each person is unique to them and is best handled on an individual basis so that supplements and protocols can be customized to each person. 

 

Bioenergetic testing can help pinpoint exactly what needs to be detoxed from the body and a knowledgeable practitioner can find the best remedies to do the job.  After individual burdens have been eliminated from the body, I believe that any couple that wants to get pregnant should do a general total body cleanse together. Like stated before, our environment is full of toxins these days that can not only affect our ability to get pregnant, but once pregnant these chemicals can cross the placental wall and enter the baby’s bloodstream. Studies have shown up to 287 different chemicals in the blood of umbilical cords, many of which are carcinogenic. It is very wise for both partners to eliminate as many of these harmful toxins from their bodies before they try to conceive. 

 

My personal favorite cleanse that we carry is called the Core Restore Kit by Ortho Molecular. It is a comprehensive cleanse that lasts either 7 or 14 days (you can choose) and focuses on maximizing liver detoxification. It also follows more of a paleo/whole 30 diet so the elimination of sugar and caffeine will nourish the adrenal glands and help to kill off any yeast or fungal overgrowth.

 

Now that each partner’s bodies are cleansed from environmental and microbial toxins, it is time to address nutritional support and potential genetic mutations. The standard recommendations include a prenatal multivitamin and fish oil supplement. Folate in particular is a major focus when it comes to supplements as studies have shown that folate helps to prevent neural tube birth defects. 

 

When it comes to the matter of MTHFR mutations, however, not every form of folate is created equal. Folate is actually a collective term that refers to all types of B9, including folic acid and methylfolate. Folic acid is the synthetic, inactive form that has to be made active (methylated) by enzymes in the methylation pathway. Methylfolate, however, is already in its active form. Those with MTHFR mutations need to make sure their prenatal multivitamin contains methylfolate and not folic acid. This is because those with the gene mutation

cannot properly convert folic acid into methylfolate. Instead, they need to take the form of B9 that does not need to run through the methylation pathways in order to become usable by the body. The general recommendation for folate is 400-600 mcg daily. If someone has suffered multiple miscarriages, OBGYNs may recommend up to 4 mg (4,000 mcg) daily. The main prenatal multivitamin we carry in our Nutrition Shop is a complete multivitamin and fish oil combo that contains 1,700 mcg of methylfolate.

 

Remember also that people with MTHFR mutations also tend to have higher histamine levels. Trimethylglycine (TMG) is another nutrient that can significantly help bring down high homocysteine levels in the body. While we have some B complex vitamins that contain TMG, I usually recommend adding a product called Homocysteine Supreme by Designs for Health. This product contains a hefty dose of TMG (900 mg) along with extra B vitamins, including an extra 3,400 mcg of methylfolate. But don’t worry about combining the prenatal with the Homocysteine Supreme. Higher serum folate levels are associated with higher luteal phase progesterone levels, which is ideal for fertility and even pregnancy.

 

Another supplement that I find to be very important both while trying to conceive and during pregnancy is a probiotic. The one I recommend to these women, however, is not your run of the mill probiotic. My favorite for conception and pregnancy is Ortho Biotic Women’s. This is because it contains only strains of bacteria that are found to colonize a healthy vaginal microbiome. 

 

Why is this important? Well, the microbiome of any part of our bodies impacts the pH of that part of the body. When it comes to trying to conceive, an imbalanced pH level of the cervix or vagina can damage sperm enough to prevent it from fertilizing an egg. By making sure the vaginal microbiome is what it should be will ensure an ideal pH for sperm to start their journey. Pregnant women should also stay on this probiotic, or at least get back on it towards the end of the pregnancy, so that the vaginal microbiome is again ideal for when the baby makes his or her way down the birthing canal and gets covered in all those immune boosting, jumpstarting bacteria.

 

Women who suffer from PCOS, endometriosis and other hormonal imbalances should also be taking a few other supplements to target the estrogen dominance and potential blood sugar irregularities. DIM is a phytoestrogen that actually binds to the xenoestrogens in the bloodstream and flushes them out of the body. We have a few different DIM products that you and your practitioner can choose from and decide which is the best for you. 

 

Inositol improves insulin resistance and is recommended for those with PCOS in particular. Sensitol is the product we carry and it contains two forms of insositol (myo- and d-chiro-) along with alpha lipoic acid to support normal insulin function and cellular metabolism. If your blood sugars are extremely high, and bordering diabetes, berberine is an herb that has actually been shown to be just as effective as metformin in regulating blood sugar levels. Women with PCOS who have very high testosterone levels need to also get that balanced out before conceiving. This is where a product by Douglas Labs called TestoQuench for Women would come into play because it moderate androgen activity in the body.

 

Last, but not least, is probably my favorite fertility product. I love to recommend this one whenever we have done all of the detoxifying and supporting nutritionally, and are yet to get a positive pregnancy test. Fertile Garden by Health Concerns is a Chinese Herbal blend that helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and nourishes the reproductive system. In TCM terms it does this by replenishing yin and regulating the flow of Qi and blood. It is also especially helpful for women trying to conceive in their mid-30s and 40s,  and can even help men with normal erectile function and sperm count.

 

Supporting Therapies

 

Acupuncture is probably most well-known to help increase fertility. It has proven itself so much so that a lot of fertility clinics work with acupuncturists in order to increase their client’s chances of a successful embryo transfer. It does this by bringing the body back into balance, which increases the chances of conception. What is it balancing mainly? In more TCM lingo, acupuncture mainly works to balance a woman’s “kidney essence” or “heavenly qi” when it comes to fertility.

 

The other supporting therapy that we have seen amazing results with is vaginal ozone therapy. Ozone is O3 and

stimulates the production of immunoglobulins in the blood, increases resistance of microorganisms to

microbes, improves oxygen transport mechanisms, and destroys viruses. When administered vaginally, it stimulates hormone balance (which is great for PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids), helps balance vaginal pH, boost womb health, and eliminate inflammation. All of this makes it much easier for sperm to make it to the fallopian tubes and pass through them. Our HOCATT therapy contains ozone that can be personally administered through a vaginal catheter.

 

Nutrition Matters

 

Nutrition is also vital for optimum fertility. If you have ever heard me talk, you know I am a huge advocate for using food as medicine, and this is especially important in terms of our reproductive system health.  While trying to conceive, you want to focus on real food. Load up on foods from the perimeter of the grocery store and

avoid as many packaged, processed foods as possible. Since conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are heavily sprayed with xenoestrogen containing pesticides and herbicides, buy organic whenever possible. 

 

You can also visit www.ewg.org and look up their Dirty Dozen list. This lets you know the 12 common produce items that contain the highest pesticide/herbicide residual on them that you want to fork up the extra money to buy organic. And that goes for the products that are made from these ingredients too (think ketchup and tomato sauce since tomatoes are on the list). 

 

Since we want high levels of folate in the bloodstream, try to get at least one green leafy vegetable in each day. This includes broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. Other sources of folate include legumes, meat, and

nut butters. The leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables pack an extra punch because they are full of

the phytochemicals that flush out xenoestrogens from the body. So, feel free to go over that one serving a day. 

 

Fruits, though we want to watch the kinds we eat to regulate blood sugar levels, such as cantaloupe, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits will give you a natural source of inositol. Lastly, a big forkful of sauerkraut or some other fermented vegetable will help balance pH and nourish the microbiome.

 

In our many years of practice at Longevity, we’ve seen so many couples who were labeled as infertile find hope and healing, and to finally see their prayer for a baby be answered! Before jumping right to expensive fertility treatments, we urge you to do some detective work to get to the root cause of the issue. And remember that only 30% of infertility is the sole cause of the female. Don’t carry that burden without first making sure your husband’s health isn’t also playing a role in your inability to conceive. Wherever you are in your fertility journey, our knowledgeable practitioners and staff are here to partner with  you to find answers, and support your body every step of the way.