Acupuncture has been used in China for centuries to regulate fertility. In the US, acupuncture is gaining popularity to help encourage fertility, often complimenting Western medicine. Acupuncture stimulates the brain to trigger the production of hormones that control the menstrual cycle and a woman's ovulation. Acupuncture also stimulates blood flow, helping to build up the endometrium in the uterus. Don’t forget that not only do acupuncture treatments create balance and harmony in your body, but one beneficial side effect of all acupuncture treatments is that it boosts the production of endorphins, making you feel good and allowing you to be more relaxed and stress-free.
Acupuncture isn’t the only thing to pay attention to in order to boost fertility. We also have to pay attention to nutrition and the food choices we make on a daily basis. Nutrition is very important in optimizing Fertility. This is why we, at TKI, coach all our fertility patients in healthy eating at nutrition.
If you are trying for a baby, you and your partner should both aim for 100mcg of selenium per day. Selenium is an important nutrient for boosting your fertility and the fertility of your partner. Selenium is used to make antioxidants called selenoproteins, which help protect your body from toxins destroying healthy cells, and also helps create new healthy cells. With its protective effect, selenium can prevent chromosome breakage, which is known to cause birth defects and miscarriages. Deficiency of selenium in women has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage.
Good levels of selenium are also essential for sperm formation and testosterone production in men. A lack of selenium in men is associated with sperm that cannot move properly because selenium is essential for making sperm’s strong whiplash tails.
Consider these foods that are rich in selenium: Brazil nuts, Cod, Turkey, Sardines, Crimini Mushrooms, Chicken Breast, Eggs, Cottage cheese, Oatmeal, Rice, and Walnuts.
Enjoy the following recipe to help increase your daily selenium intake!
BRAZIL NUT BARS
- grapeseed oil
- 1 1/2 cups whole brazil nuts
- 1/2 cup hulled raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup hulled raw sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseeds
- 1/3 cup dried organic cranberries
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups high-fiber, low-sugar sprouted grain cereal
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 cup natural cashew butter
Directions
1. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with grapeseed oil. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the Brazil nuts until the nuts are ground into a fine powder. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the pumpkin seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, cranberries, cinnamon, and sprouted grain cereal. In a large saucepan on the stove, heat the honey and cashew butter on medium high until very hot and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Pour over the mixture in the bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon. Immediately, press mixture firmly into the baking dish (wear rubber gloves if needed). Let the mixture cool in the refrigerator. Cut into 16 pieces. Wrap each bar individually in wax paper and store in the freezer.
Nanci Bankier L.Ac, Dipl OM, MSOM
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