What does it take to boost your fertility?

Optimum fertility requires a multi layered, comprehensive approach, especially if your aim is to overcome infertility. Often the many essential lifestyle changes required are the very hinges to swing you to ‘the other side’ — creating the very real possibility you will hold your very own, baby of your dreams. And it is often, that simple!

Implement the right changes in your day to day and you dramatically improve your chances, not only of conceiving, but also of having the healthiest possible baby and become the proud parent, you always wanted to be.

I just want to be pregnant, once that happens I’ll be super healthy…

By 8 weeks gestation a baby’s health blueprint is already created, as are his or her tiny organs and little fingerprints! At this stage his or her health vulnerabilities and strengths are set by the ‘map’ already existent in this magnificent creation — your child’s future health predispositions and potentials are now in place regardless of what else happens from this point onwards and most mums-to-be do not even know they are pregnant by this crucial stage. Once a pregnancy is established your child’s health potential becomes the lowest common denominator of you and your partner’s health and its full potential has been reached — the opportunity for making significant improvements are present in the 120 days of preconception preparation before a pregnancy even exists. The time to optimise your child’s future, giving him or her, the best possible start in life is NOT during your pregnancy — it is during your preconception preparation, involving both prospective parents.

This very preparation is what makes all the difference to your outcome — U.K. research shows that when both parents optimize their health for a period of at least 120 days prior to a natural conception attempt the odds of taking home a healthy baby was 81% better for previously infertile couples. Similar research also confirms this type of approach can double the odds of success through IVF.

So what is the best way to optimise your fertility?

In my many years in private practice I’ve develop the 11 Pillars of Fertility — the blueprint that has helped numerous patients create the pregnancy and baby of their dreams. The 11 Pillars are the basis of all the essentials that must be in place if you and your partner want to ensure yourselves the best possible chance of having the healthiest baby and/or overcome fertility problems.

Here are three very important pillars that will help your odds of turning your dream into reality:

1. Healthy Diet

This is an absolutely vital aspect of optimum fertility. If your diet is not supporting your body’s metabolic functions your ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy to term will suffer.

2. Environmental and lifestyle

Today through our environment we are in direct contact with over 4 million chemicals — most of which are dangerous for the healthy development of the egg, sperm and embryo. The problem is that often dangerous chemicals, disguised as pretty labels enter our homes and are free to have their destructive effects without us even realising they are damaging our health and fertility.

In addition to this our lifestyle has a huge impact on fertility and reproduction. Things such as smoking, alcohol, coffee, unfiltered drinking and cooking water, recreational substances and more — will all have a devastating effect on female and male fertility.

3. Emotions
This is a greatly underestimated key to optimum fertility. The mind-body connection is real and it is taken for granted. If you think you are infertile, you re-enforce a belief that continues to manifest in your life, through your unconscious will. The turning point is realising that right now you can take action to change all aspect you want in your life including your health and reproduction. When it comes to fertility, faith and acceptance of your existing situation with love and understanding frees and enables you to choose to move forward in healthier attempts to create your desire of becoming a proud parent.

Optimizing your ability to conceive a healthy baby, overcoming infertility and carrying a pregnancy to term is very possible. It requires the total commitment of both partners towards a better outcome and several specific changes in how you do certain things — but as the old saying goes: “Do your part and the heavens will come to your aid”.

The uterus is not exempt.

Excessive adrenalin levels negatively affect hormonal balance, leading to fertility problems. Furthermore, in the presence of adrenaline, the body’s built in “epidural” (aka endorphins) cannot do their magic during the natural birthing process—thereby slowing oxytocin release. This prolongs labour, making it far from comfortable.

A recent paper written for the Royal College of Midwives Journal by British Midwife, Dr Denis Walsh has sparked some surprising recent media discussions and also evoked some interesting reactions within the medical industry.

He stated in his article that the use of Epidurals in the UK had doubled in the last 20 years, he was quoted as saying “it has never been safer to have a baby, yet women have never been more frightened of the process”.

Commenting on this, Associate Professor Hannah Dahlen of the Australian College of Midwives said, “Fear increases the release of adrenalin, which impacts on endorphins – a scared woman is more likely to have an epidural.”

The body’s natural defense mechanism is governed by the sympathetic part of our nervous system, and once it kicks in – our body is instantly in the “fight, flight or freeze” state. A mother entering into early stages of labour is sometimes likely to flick on this switch through unresolved fear and stress, in doing this she also triggers the release of certain hormones.

It is believed that these hormones are secreted in large amounts prior to and during labour. In cases of childbirth – “freeze” is the body’s natural defensive response to fear, and as you can imagine this results in tense and constricting muscles and the body predominantly working against its’ natural relaxed birthing state of mind.

It is advisable for expectant mothers to remain in the most relaxed state they can throughout the duration of their pregnancy right through to birth in order to avoid these affects of fear upon labour, and for them to remember that the mind is the doorway to a ‘natural epidural’.

During pregnancy a mother should do as much relaxing as she can. Emotional freedom technique, yoga, meditation, acupuncture and massage are all excellent ways to relax the body and the mind. If a little extra help is needed to relax there are several CD’s and DVD’s on the market to teach techniques.

Surrounding oneself with positive pregnancy and birthing stories is also another great way to eliminate fear and anxiety.  Learning to politely refrain from listening to others’ less positive stories is also a good idea. This will more easily enable the beginnings of visualising a positive experience during labour.

If there are any fears or concerns around labour, birth or life once the baby has arrived it is a great idea to address them immediately. This can be done by talking it over with partners and loved ones to get the reassurance that is needed. If there are deeper issues that are more difficult to address then professional help may be sought. A trained hypnotherapist will often be able to assist in releasing fears and teach the valuable mantra, ‘mind leads, body follows’ providing remarkable value and tools to assist in a calm, happy and healthy labour and delivery for both mum and bub.

In my practice, I use HypnoBirthing for my patients because I believe it is such a tool. It provides a comprehensive guide for women and their birth partner(s) during pregnancy and birth. It teaches women to let go of any anxiety they have around giving birth as well as bringing aspects of relaxation, visualisation and breathing techniques as tools to use during pregnancy and labour.

A Note from The Bringer of Babies:

What’s also interesting about fear is that in can negatively impact not just the experience of birth but also a couple’s very ability to conceive. Hypnotherapy is an amazing tool, which can help reduce the stress and anxiety that can be associated with the ‘trying to conceive’ journey. Most couples experience some stress along the journey. If you have been lucky and haven’t yet experience any discomfort during your journey, this tool is a great preventative measure. If you have been stressed out by the process I’d recommend hypnotherapy as ‘a must’ part of your treatment. Experience it and enjoy!

Here’s a little revision, and some great tips, to help you digest and assimilate your food more completely and make better building blocks for healthy s.ex cells, which eventually could create a perfectly well- formed, balanced and healthy little person:

• Avoid distractions while eating e.g. watching TV or reading magazines and newspapers—you will tend to eat more than you actually need;
• Avoid drinking with your meals because it dilutes stomach acid and digestive enzymes;
• Chew your food really well;
• Eat every 3 hours;
• Never skip breakfast;
• Avoid soy, gluten and dairy;
• Avoid processed, packaged and dead foods;
• Avoid fried foods;
• Finish eating at least three hours before going to sleep;
• Avoid microwaves.

The Absolute ‘Non-Negotiables’ About Food

• Base your meals on organic, fresh, unprocessed vegetables and proteins—nutrient rich foods;
• Eat only fresh, organic fruits that are in season, but do not have more than 2-3 pieces daily;
• Ensure your foods are fresh and as close to their natural state as possible. Do not eat anything that comes out of cans, boxes, wrappers, packages etc. In other words, avoid most branded products. This will eliminate much of the worry about how healthy pre-packaged things really are, whether they contain harmful additives, and so on…
• Avoid genetically modified foods (GMOs) completely! Most processed foods and an increasing number of non-organic foods have some genetic modifications. The negative and damaging impact of these man-made changes not only affects human health and fertility, but also the environment, due to the destruction of fragile ecosystems, soil pollution and more. Organic and biodynamic produce is best on both counts!
• If you must buy any packaged foods, avoid all preservatives, additives, colourings, flavourings and artificial sweeteners (even in lollies and chewing gum, which you are better off not eating anyway). In essence, any long, unrecognisable names or numbers on food labels. These chemicals are extremely damaging to health and fertility and can also cause foetal abnormalities;
• Cook your vegetables lightly to preserve their nutrients; vitamins are very sensitive to heat. In addition, only use the following cooking methods: —steaming, grilling, roasting, baking, stir-frying (with a little coconut oil only), shredding, eating raw, or casseroling;
• Do not fry or boil your foods, as this damages all nutrients and can dramatically reduce your fertility;
• Avoid heating all vegetable oils as they become damaged, carcinogenic and negative to fertility. Olive, flaxseed and walnut oils have the best fatty acid profiles, but should only be used in salads. When vegetable oils are heated, they are converted into damaging trans fats. Research shows that each 2% increase in the consumption of trans fats decreases fertility by 73%! So think many times before you let any fried foods enter your body (even if only very, very, very occasionally);
• For heating or cooking purposes, coconut oil or ghee is the best fat to use. They both contain a healthy type of saturated fat, which does not become damaged and carcinogenic in cooking. Scientific research demonstrates many health benefits from these fats, including fertility improvement;
• Ensure any meat you prepare for eating is well cooked and NEVER eat raw fish (or raw meat) as the infections they can carry can mean big problems for your fertility;
• All your meat (especially chicken) and eggs MUST be organic. Many of the growth promoters used in rearing ‘non-organic’ animals are oestrogenic. In addition, pesticides and herbicides in their environment and even the water they drink can also be highly oestrogenic. These compounds contribute to major endocrine disruption, leading to hormonal imbalances, including sperm defects, and oestrogen dominance conditions in women, including endometriosis and fibroids. This is potentially a very big problem for your fertility and the development of the reproductive system and sexual organs of your prospective child;
• Eating fish can be a double-edged sword. The essential fatty acids found in fish are very important to fertility but the mercury and other chemical substances such as PCBs (from industry by-products), which potentially enters the body with each mouthful, has a devastating effect on fertility. The solution involves two steps:
• Avoid large fish such as tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, flake, shark and others listed here as well as all crustaceans, oysters and other seafood (due to high levels of pollution): www.oceansalive.org/eat.cfm?subnav=healthalerts;
• Rely on good-quality fish oil supplementation to obtain the amounts of essential fatty acids your body needs (choose a high DHA:EPA ratio, very important for hormonal production and brain development);
• If eating fish you are best to choose small, deep-ocean fish (but definitely not coastal). Some good options include: wild salmon, trout, sardines, herring, John Dory, halibut, monkfish, and red snapper;
• Avoid all other foods to which you suspect you are allergic.

Harvard University published a study in November 2007, with close to 18,000 participants, which showed that a ‘fertility diet + lifestyle’ improved fertility by 69%! So, following these recommendations may well be all you need to make your dream of a healthy baby come true. Be diligent and stick to it as if your life depended on it. You and your partner’s optimum fertility does!

So I thought I’d compile a list of fun, healthy ‘hobbies’ and activities to fuel your own ideas and help you get started with having more joy whilst trying to conceive and create the healthy baby of your dreams.

1. Aerobics;
2. Amateur video & film making (beware of too much computer work though);
3. Aquarium keeping (be aware of chemicals);
4. Archery;
5. Architecture/designing buildings;
6. Astrology;
7. Astronomy;
8. Babysitting;
9. Badminton;
10. Baking;
11. Ballet;
12. Ballroom dancing;
13. Baseball;
14. Basketball;
15. Bird watching;
16. Bowling;
17. Calligraphy;
18. Camping;
19. Canoeing;
20. Card games;
21. Checkers/chess;
22. Collecting autographs;
23. Collecting banknotes (wear gloves to avoid contact with paints and other chemicals used in printing as well as bacteria and viruses);
24. Collecting baseball cards;
25. Collecting coins (should be handled with gloves);
26. Collecting newspapers, postcards, photographs, posters, etc;
27. Collecting porcelain dolls;
28. Collecting stamps;
29. Collecting wines (but not drinking them!);
30. Community theatre;
31. Cooking;
32. Counselling and giving advice;
33. Creative writing;
34. Cricket (men, wear protective boxes!);
35. Cross-stitch;
36. Crossword puzzles;
37. Dancing;
38. Designing clothes;
39. Designing dolls, doll houses, doll clothes (be careful with plastic and textiles);
40. Digital (only) astrophotography;
41. Digital photography;
42. Drawing;
43. Drinking filtered water;
44. Eating nutritious food;
45. Embroidery;
46. Enjoying classical and relaxation music;
47. Feng shui;
48. Gathering beetles;
49. Genealogy;
50. Giving massages;
51. Going to amusement parks;
52. Going to museums;
53. Golf;
54. Gymnastics;
55. Handwriting analysis;
56. Helping the less fortunate;
57. Hiking;
58. Historical trekking;
59. Horse riding;
60. Hula hooping;
61. Ice skating;
62. Interacting with your family;
63. Interactive storytelling;
64. Jazzercise;
65. Jigsaw puzzles;
66. Joining initiatives to help other members of your community;
67. Journaling;
68. Karaoke;
69. Karate;
70. Kayaking;
71. Kite flying (avoid paraffin use on lines and be cautions of adhesive use);
72. Knitting;
73. Latin dancing (samba, capoeira, salsa, etc);
74. Learning foreign languages;
75. Magic tricks;
76. Meccano sets;
77. Meditation;
78. Musical composition;
79. Organic gardening (strictly organic and always wear gloves and masks);
80. Origami (wear gloves when possible as excessive paper dye exposure can be toxic);
81. Performing in a band;
82. Planting trees;
83. Playing a musical instrument;
84. Playing board games;
85. Playing dominoes;
86. Playing drums;
87. Playing guitar;
88. Playing in an orchestra;
89. Playing outdoor games;
90. Poetry;
91. Puppetry;
92. Quilting;
93. Rapping;
94. Reading and learning;
95. Rock climbing;
96. Roller skating;
97. Rowing;
98. Running (avoid main or busy roads);
99. Sailing;
100. Sculpture (definitely wear masks);
101. Sewing;
102. Singing;
103. Skateboarding;
104. Snooker/pool;
105. Soccer;
106. Socialising;
107. Song writing;
108. Specialty cooking;
109. Sports memorabilia collecting;
110. Star watching;
111. Stretching;
112. Studying;
113. Sudoku;
114. Swimming in the ocean (avoid all chlorinated pools, lakes and rivers they may be highly toxic—beware! Do not swim in the ocean for at least 3-4 days after heavy rain due to pollution run off);
115. Table tennis;
116. Tai bo;
117. Tai chi;
118. Taking a bath (without bubble bath, use 100% pure essential oils only and ideally have a water filter on the taps).;
119. Tap dancing;
120. Teaching;
121. Trampolining (great during preconception for women but not during pregnancy);
122. Transcendental meditation (TM);
123. Ventriloquism;
124. Visiting the elderly ;
125. Volleyball;
126. Voluntary social work;
127. Walking your dog;
128. Watching movies;
129. Wood carving (wear masks and avoid any wood paints, varnishes and lacquers);
130. Word puzzles;
131. Yoga.

Start today to prioritize fun in your life whilst at the same time focusing on preparing you and your partner’s body for optimum health—these are the two most reliable ways of overcoming fertility problems and creating the healthy pregnancy and baby you want to create. Enjoy!

Male fertility is relatively simple…

For a male, optimum fertility depends on excellent general health, which allows the production of a sufficient number of healthy, motile sperm that can successfully pass through open pathways into the vagina, through the uterus and into the Fallopian tubes, and penetrate a normal ovum (egg). Since a thriving pregnancy also requires that the fertilised ovum subsequently becomes implanted in the lining of the female uterus any defects in any of these stages can result in a couple experiencing fertility problems.

Out of every 100 cases of infertility, about 30 to 40 involve sperm inadequacies or gonadal deficiencies in the male partner; 20 to 30 are caused by ovulatory or hormonal deficiencies in the female; 15 to 30 involve disorders or defects in the female’s Fallopian tubes; 10 involve a vaginal or cervical environment that is chemically hostile to sperm; and 10 are caused by unknown factors.

A combination of factors is generally at the heart of most concerns…

Failure to ovulate, or produce a healthy egg, is a common cause of female infertility and is usually the result of hormonal imbalances—particularly the stimulation or suppression of the ovaries by other glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, or adrenals. This can lead to an inadequate production of female hormones, and a consequent disruption of normal ovulation. Blockages of, or obstructions within, the Fallopian tubes—the two passages in which an ovum is fertilised by a sperm—are also a common cause of female infertility. The tubes may become blocked owing to endometriosis or inflammations stemming from infections (often sexually transmitted). The female’s cervical environment is also a major cause of infertility; the mucus and other fluids secreted there may be inadequate for sperm transport, or may even be lethal to sperm because of hormonal abnormalities or unbalanced acid-alkaline ratios.

Male Fertility Problems: Is A Multi-Factorial Issue That Must Be Addressed Accordingly

The male factors implicated in as many as 40 percent of all causes of infertility usually involve impotence or defects in the male’s sperm, specifically their concentration, shape (morphology), ability to swim (motility), and ability to penetrate the egg. An infertile male may have too few sperm—a sperm count of less than 20 million per millilitre is usually inadequate for fertilisation, or he may have too high a proportion of abnormal or defective sperm. Sperm quality is chiefly influenced by health and environmental factors. Varicose veins in the scrotal sac, tight underwear, or other abnormal sources of heat or constriction, as well as radiation and static electricity, can raise the temperature of the scrotum, or otherwise compromise sperm quality. Sperm are mostly made up of easily-oxidised essential fatty acids and are therefore highly sensitive to oxidation. Male infertility may also be caused by obstructions in, or an absence of, the ducts through which the sperm cells must pass on their trip from the testicles to the urethra during ejaculation.

There is a solution!

In many cases, for both men and women, when the primary hormonal imbalances or other issues are corrected through implementation of the 11 Pillars of Fertility Blueprint, as outlined in The Natural Fertility Solution Take-Home Program, in combination with nutrient and herbal treatments, optimum fertility can be restored. Many of my patients have had healthy babies by sticking with the process, even in cases where all hope had been lost. The key is to do your absolute best and persist for a reasonable amount of time, in order to see results.

This is why it is important to continue to honour all other aspects of your life, whilst doing everything you can in order to implement all the health promoting activities discussed in The Natural Fertility Solution Take-Home Program. This may seem like an oxymoron at first, but it is nothing less than good sense.

We know that what we focus on expands. So it makes good sense to take positive steps towards improving your health and fertility—however it is important you do not allow it to become a burden or a chore by neglecting other sides to your being. Obviously due to your commitment in boosting your health and fertility specific activities you engage in may change, however the outcome can still be the same if you are clear about your needs and your desired effects.

There are seven primary areas of life fulfillment: spiritual, mental, vocational, financial, social, familial and physical. Any area that is not valued, honored, and more fully developed automatically becomes the weak or missing link in your fulfillment, therefore, by focusing solely and completely on only 1 or 2 areas of life at any given time fulfillment is literally driven away.

Think about this whilst on your fertility journey and become conscious about where and how you direct your energy, focus and attention, however most importantly ensure they are evenly spread. Because when you focus positively with an open heart and mind, but with no expectations you release any internal conflict and negatively which in turn helps you to more likely create the outcomes you desire. Remember this, God (or the Universe) has plans for each one of us that are more marvelous, wonderful and surprising than we could ever imagine. If we don’t yet have what we believe we should, it is simply because there is something even better in store for. We just cannot quite grasp it yet due to the limited view and understanding of our infinite potential. Trust and believe—do your part and the heavens will come to you aid, you just need to be open and ready to receive it.

This brings me to another very important concept for best results. If you want to speed the process of for yourself, the best way to do so is to be truly grateful—from the core of your being. Think about and write about all the things in your life you are grateful for. All the blessings you have and forget about lack. Do not even think about the things you do not have only think about and be thankful for your blessings. This will transform your life for the better and you can use the techniques I teach to potentiate the process.

Enjoy the journey, feel it, live it and above all be happy, you are so lucky, you already have so much! When you take this approach you reduce physiological stress and this has a positive impact on your fertility and overall wellbeing. Make the decision to start being happier today, you deserve it!

In the last 2 articles I shared with you the dangers of some of the utensils in your kitchen and how to spot them. Now, I’d like to share with you more about what’s not going to poison your food, your health and your fertility.

Crusty? BEWARE!

The only crusty things allowed in your kitchen may be the occasional baking. You certainly don’t want to let your utensils anywhere near that state because damaged or broken utensils accumulate unhealthy levels of bacteria and can start leaching toxic chemicals into your food. This can not only impact your fertility but also your general health on many levels.

Your Best Cookware Options

Your best course of action is to be as far away as possible from all the metal and chemically concocted cookware discussed in parts 1 and 2 of this article. The only exception would be the stainless steel which is not as problematic as cookware made from Teflon, aluminium or plastic for example. Although be sure never to store you food in any type of cookware (particularly acidic types such as tomato/citrus based dishes, sauces or dressings)—always choose glass which will not leach chemicals.

In avoiding dangerous cook ware options, the best and easier way to do this is to replace all your cooking pots, pans, skillets, kettles and cooking utensils, with either heat-proof glass counterparts (be sure to do your research before buying glass, there are some explosive brands on the market!) or enamel coated cast iron such as Le Creuset or Le Chasseur for cookware. Other cookware options include wood, bamboo or similar for cooking utensils.

Quality and Durability

As is true in other areas, you will usually get what you pay for when it comes to excellent cookware. The best quality, however if used with care, means you may very well be passing your cookware along to future generations!

My favourite cookware option for pot and pans is definitely cast iron. They just seem to last longer, heat up more evenly and just cook better. (A small note of caution, it is best to buy enamelled cast iron cookware because non-coated cast iron can dramatically increase the levels of iron in food and to a small part of the population this can be undesirable).

Cast iron cookware has been used for 3000 years with proven safety. Firstly used in China to cook rice, this durable kitchen staple is the best choice for healthy cooking and optimum fertility. In the past, lead (a potential cause of infertility, miscarriages and malformations, amongst many other health problems) was used in glazes for enamelled cast iron pots, but this is no longer the case (ensure your pots were manufactured after 1990 to be 100% safe). Be aware however that lead is still a component in some glazes used in ceramic, clay and slow-cooking pots.

As far as food processors or blenders are concerned, glass is best and stainless steel is definitely preferred over plastic.

If you are unsure or would like more information about what cookware is currently in your household do some extra research on the topic. You may even choose to contact the manufacturer for clarification—you and your family are worth it!

Teflon And Other Non-Stick Surfaces

Since you now understand the dangers of heavy metals, there is no need to go over the dangers of cookware made from single heavy metals such as aluminium or copper, or amalgamations of heavy metals or other substances such as stainless steel and silicone. It is important however, to further understand the role of Teflon and other non-stick coated cookware and utensils on human health.

Non-stick coatings used in the cookware industry are made from either a silicone base or a fluorocarbon (P.T.F.E.) base. Fluorocarbon coatings are applied in one or two layers, plus a “sealer” or topcoat.

Heating fluorocarbons causes a gradual breakdown of the fluoropolymers into a variety of other chemical compounds, which are released into the air—these fumes have been shown to kill household birds—and this is not all. DuPont, the manufacturer of Teflon, acknowledges that the fumes given off by non-stick coatings can also sicken people, in a condition called ‘polymer fume fever’, which can be erroneously diagnosed as the common flu.

No one has ever studied the incidence of illness among users of the billions of non-stick pots and pans sold around the world, or the long-term effects from the sickness. However, given the chemical cocktail which is Teflon, and the fact that it is toxic enough to kill birds, consider what it must do to something as small as the tiniest embryo. In addition, since fluoropolymers have been shown to cause birth defects, adversely affect the immune system and disrupt thyroid function (which can cause infertility),—one can safely assume cooking with such utensils would not be in your best interest.

If the fumes were not enough, once the Teflon coating becomes even lightly scratched, it flakes and is often combined with food during cooking. This means that these toxic compounds manage to gain free access into the body in ‘large quantities’, besides the toxic fumes.

According to a study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group, non-stick pots and pans can reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit (370oC) in three to five minutes, releasing 15 harmful gases and chemicals, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses. Non-stick coatings break down to a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analogue of the WWII nerve gas, phosgene.

Other General Uses of Teflon

The dramatic part of the story when it comes to Teflon is that it is used in so many household items and industries (some of which you may be completely unaware) that it is difficult, but not impossible, to reduce exposure.

Industrial uses for Teflon fluoropolymers includes the following areas: architectural, fabrics, automotive uses, cabling materials, food processing, pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, and semiconductor manufacturing. Products include industrial and medical tubing, films, chemical linings, coatings on electrical insulation, fabrics, metals, electronic data insulation and telecommunications.

They can be found in many different products including:

• Automotive products;
• Carpet;
• Cleaning products;
• Clothing, including kids;
• Computer accessories;
• Cookware;
• Fashion accessories;
• Furniture;
• Gardening products;
• Luggage;
• Medical supplies;
• Miscellaneous household products;
• Music supplies;
• Paints/coatings;
• Personal care products;
• Pet supplies;
• Sporting and outdoor gear
• And more.

Here are some tips for reducing your exposure to toxic Teflon fluoropolymers:

• Replace all non-stick cookware and equipment in your home with enamelled cast iron cookware and wooden/bamboo utensils;
• When you purchase furniture or carpet, decline optional treatments for stain and dirt resistance, and insist on products that have not been pre-treated with chemicals. Most of these chemical treatments contain fluoropolymers that might contaminate your home and family;
• Avoid buying clothing with labels that indicate it has been coated to repel water, stains, or dirt. Many of these coatings are fluoropolymers. By buying alternatives you will help shrink the fluoropolymer market and the associated global contamination;
• Minimise packaged food and greasy fast foods in your diet. These may be sold in containers that are coated with fluoropolymers to keep grease from soaking through the packaging. Fluoropolymers are used in a wide variety of containers, including French-fry boxes, pizza boxes and microwave popcorn bags—luckily you will not be eating these foods during your preconception preparation. However, do be aware of other supposedly healthy products packaged in such containers.
• Mainly consume organic, fresh, unprocessed produce delivered in nature’s intended package—its own skin!
• Avoid buying cosmetics and other personal care products with the words ‘fluoro’ or ‘perfluoro’ on the ingredient list. Products that might contain fluoropolymers include lotions, pressed powders, nail polish, and shaving cream. Try to always buy chemical-free personal hygiene items and if you are unsure, check the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database at www.cosmeticdatabase.com. Also read the following section on chemicals for more information on how to protect your health and that of your prospective family.

For more information on the household use of Teflon fluoropolymers visit http://tinyurl.com/2out6o

Plastics

The latest scientific studies confirm that all plastic compounds have a direct negative impact on fertility and the health of a developing embryo. These compounds include bisphenol A (BPA), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and plasticisers such as phthalates. Phthalates are used to make plastic malleable for plastic containers, bottles and kitchen utensils, wrappers, and are also used in perfumes, hairsprays, lubricants and wood finishers. They are responsible for that new car smell, which becomes especially pungent after the car has been sitting in the sun for a few hours. Then, as the temperature cools, it condenses out of the air to form an oily coating on the inside of the windshield. Plastic compounds have a hormone disrupting effect and recent research indicates hormonal disruptors can cause adverse health effects in cells at levels as low as one part per trillion! This means that minimal amounts can negatively affect your fertility.

Large population studies suggest that people are already experiencing health effects caused by exposures to hormone disruptors. Adult men with high levels of phthalates in their bodies are more likely to show signs of hormonal disturbance, including reduced sperm concentration and motility, increased damage to sperm DNA, and altered hormone levels. Baby boys exposed to high levels of phthalates in the womb, or in breast milk, are more likely to display reproductive and endocrine system abnormalities. In baby girls, these substances can potentially predispose them for earlier onset of puberty as well as increase the risk of reproductive problems later in life. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (a leading cause of infertility), or those who suffer recurrent miscarriages, are more likely to have higher levels of bisphenol A in their blood. In addition, due the oestrogenic nature of these plastic compounds, women are developing oestrogen dominant conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and female reproductive cancers.

In order to ensure optimum general and reproductive health, you and your partner should avoid all types of plastics, particularly those in contact with food, containers, water and other drink bottles, cling wraps and the like. NEVER, put any kind of plastic into a microwave—although you will not be using, and hopefully will not even own, a microwave very soon (certainly during your preconception preparation it should be unplugged and packed away). If, down the track, you need to use baby bottles, look for toughened glass bottles as an alternative to plastic.

Toxic heavy metals cannot be degraded or destroyed and are dangerous because they tend to bioaccumulate. Bioaccumulation means an increase in the concentration of a chemical in the body over time, compared to the chemical’s concentration in the environment. Heavy metals accumulate in living organisms whenever they enter the body (of humans and/or animals). They are immediately absorbed and due to their high toxic potential are quickly and deeply stored away in tissues such as the brain, liver, kidneys and bones to prevent immediate harm as they are not easily broken down, metabolized or excreted by the body.

The problem being that due to their inability to be easily metabolized and excreted they tend to accumulate further and further causing metabolic disruptions which can lead to infertility, poor sperm parameters and miscarriages, but they have also been linked to malformation and abnormalities in the foetus as well as developmental concerns including autism in children whose parents (particularly the mother had high heavy metal loads during pregnancy). Researchers believe a lot of the damage caused to developing babies and children due to heavy metals exposure begins and happens whilst in utero, in addition to some links to certain vaccines which are preserved with mercury and may contain other heavy metals as well as polluted fish, water and other environmental exposure.

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, aluminum, and uranium are highly toxic and every care should be taken to avoid them. Barium, lithium, nickel (one of the alloys in stainless steel) and strontium are also toxic and are certainly best avoided.

So where are these toxic metals found?

The best way to protect your health and fertility as well as for the safety of your family avoid products you suspect heavy metals are present in. And be sure to do your research!