Fertility

Leyla Weighs In: Sperm Quality and Diet–The Role of Ultra-Processed Foods
October 4, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the impact of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption on sperm quality, referencing a study from the journal Human Reproduction. Findings indicate higher UPF intake is linked to lower sperm count, concentration, and motility in Spanish men. Leyla also explores a study on the effects of a lifelong vegetarian diet on male fertility in Loma Linda's Blue Zone population. She emphasizes that ultra processed foods and higher body mass index (BMI) correlate with deteriorating sperm quality, suggesting whole foods as a healthier dietary choice to improve fertility.

ENCORE: Factors That Affect Fertility, Part 1
May 8, 2024
Infertility is an increasing problem. Many couples are facing challenges, but few realize that men are an important part of the fertility equation. Sperm quality is recognized to be declining worldwide. Ayla Barmmer, a Registered Dietician and functional medicine practitioner is the founder and CEO of FullWell, a fertility wellness and education brand. She discusses lifestyle factors that affect fertility: exercise, diet, weight optimization, stress, and sleep. Additionally, environmental toxicity can take a toll on sperm and egg viability. A few specific nutrients are essential for fertility optimization, which she enumerates. Not only can barriers to pregnancy be surmounted, but proper pre-conceptual planning can optimize the physical and mental health of offspring—even with lasting trans-generational effects for descendants. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Factors That Affect Fertility, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Ayla Barmmer, a Registered Dietician and functional medicine practitioner, and founder and CEO of FullWell, a fertility wellness and education brand. Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: A Revolution In Our Understanding of Vitamin D, Part 1
October 12, 2021
The latest installment in our free-ranging discussions about vitamin D with Dr. John Cannell, founder and CEO of the Vitamin D Research Council. The “elephant in the room”: skeptics have lately pushed back on the efficacy of vitamin D and impugned the motives of top vitamin D researcher Michael Holick MD. Sounds “too good to be true”—-how could vitamin D be so beneficial for such a myriad of conditions? What are the autoimmune benefits of vitamin D? What are the latest findings linking low D levels to breast cancer risk? Is oral vitamin D supplementation equivalent to getting it the natural way—via the sun? What are optimal levels of D? Why is it that individuals require such different levels of supplementation? What about D in pregnancy? For athletic performance? For fending off colds and flus? For diabetes? For autism? Are certain formulations of D superior to others? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Optimizing Fertility for Couples, Part 1
August 16, 2016
Fertility Glow: Kim Sjoblad, Certified Nutritional Practitioner and Holistic Fertility Expert details her program for optimizing fertility for couples. She describes her own successful personal conquest of infertility, lists dietary do’s and don'ts, examines the effects of stress, sleep deprivation, and environmental pollutants. Is soy a downer for fertility? Are there dietary super-foods for pre-conception? What supplements are safe and beneficial for pregnancy? Why is there a world-wide trend toward declining sperm quality? What can men do to enhance fertility? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Optimizing Fertility for Couples, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Kim Sjoblad, Certified Nutritional Practitioner and Holistic Fertility Expert, as she details her program for optimizing fertility for couples. Click HERE for part 1.