I have received several e-mails from readers requesting to write about natural ways to increase fertility. Of course, I am neither a medical doctor nor a magician, but I can suggest a health regimen that can improve fertility and wellbeing. Fertility and the ability to conceive rely on physical, mental and emotional health as well as optimum nutrition. An influencing factor that has nothing to do with fertility but interferes with conception is the time of male sperm fertilizing the female egg.

Interesting observations have shown that holiday periods contribute to a higher pregnancy rate as holidays are conducive to good eating and give opportunity to more activity away from daily stress and work and financial worries. Psychological and physical stress is associated with infertility. A healthy balanced diet is an important factor to correct a deficiency or an insufficiency of important nutrients.

Most infertility problems occur in females while the male partner carries 30 percent of the burden. Male infertility does not mean lack of sexual desire or virility; it is all about low sperm count or its absence. There is not much that can be done about the latter, but the former can be due to vitamin C deficiency which contributes to low sperm count and its motility. Sterility in both sexes can also be induced by insufficient vitamin E or essential fatty acids which result in hormonal imbalance.

As for damage to the reproductive organs, it is unlikely to be reversible by just taking vitamin E or diet. Certain conditions may require surgical procedures. Diabetics may be exposed to infertility due to vitamin A deficiency, which is necessary for the production of male hormones. If zinc is insufficient in the body, vitamin A’s work, too, is diminished. Because zinc is found in great concentrations in male sex glands and semen fluids and important to sperm development, its deficiency may affect sexual maturation and sperm shape and contribute to smaller sex organs and low sperm count, leading to infertility and sometimes impotence. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor to zinc, which improves the mineral’s absorption as well as male sexual ability. Healthy and balanced nutrition is crucial to male and female fertility and hormonal production as long as the reproductive organs are intact.

• Essential fatty acids are important to balance male and female sex hormones. A sufficient supply is necessary. These fats should consist of omega-3, which is found in abundance in flax seeds and their oil, walnut, and fatty fish oils and omega-6 in borage and primrose oils, sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds and their oils.

• Vitamin E protects cells, increases fluidity of the blood, heals wounds, improves the skin and enhances fertility. It is found in unrefined corn oil, sunflower, sesame and other seeds, peanuts, almonds, peas, wheat germ, tuna, salmon, sardines and sweet potato. Vitamin C and selenium are cofactors of vitamin E. Frying, excessive amount of refined and processed fats and oils, pollution and birth control pills destroy vitamin E in the body.

• Vitamin C is essential for raising sperm count. It is abundant in all peppers, watercress, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, tomato and melon. Bioflavonoids in fruit and vegetables enhance vitamin C in the body and improve vascular health, while smoking, alcohol, pollution, stress and fried and burnt foods cancel its benefits.

• Vitamin B6 is required for protein digestion, brain function and hormone production. It is found in watercress, cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, banana, squash, broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, onions, red kidney beans, lentils, seeds and nuts. Zinc, magnesium and vitamin B complex are helpers to vitamin B6, whereas alcohol, smoking, birth control pills and high intake of protein and processed food break it down.

• Vitamin B12 is needed for immunity and other important functions in the body as well as fertility and healthy pregnancy. It is available in animal products like sardines, oysters, tuna, lamb, eggs, shrimp, turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, cheese and milk. Folic acid and B complex are cofactors to B12. Meanwhile, the good effects of vitamin B12 are diminished by alcohol, smoking and lack of stomach acid.

• Zinc is needed for male sex glands and sperm fluids. It is found in oyster, gingerroot, lamb, pecan nuts, dry split peas, green peas, haddock, shrimp, turnips, Brazil nuts, egg yolk, whole grains, rye, oats, peanuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Stomach acid, vitamins A, E, and B6, calcium and magnesium are zinc helpers. On the other hand, phytates in wheat and unsoaked legumes, oxalates in spinach and beet greens, high calcium and copper intake, insufficient protein, excess sugar, stress and alcohol prevent zinc uptake in the body.

• Selenium is also an important antioxidant that increases fertility. Tuna, oysters, molasses, herring, cod, beef liver, chicken, mushroom, cabbage, zucchini and Brazil nuts supply good amounts of the mineral. While vitamins A, C, and E are cofactors to selenium, refined foods eliminate it from the body. Over-farmed soils are usually deficient in selenium.

• Some herbs and their supplements can enhance fertility. Saw palmetto is usually recommended for such conditions. Aloe Vera gel or juice is rejuvenating to the female reproductive organs. Royal jelly, the food for the queen bee, stimulates the hormonal system and increases fertility

Both men and women find good results with acupuncture treatment, too. The procedure improves blood circulation in the uterus and ovaries and enhances egg quality and its possibility of implantation in the uterus. However, nothing is as important as healthy youth to provide high fertility and sperm and ovum health. When you are young and healthy, you maximize your chances of producing healthy offspring.

Other factors play important roles in improving fertility. Some of them are dos; others are don’ts. They all deserve your attention and consideration.

• Moderate activity, not more than thirty minutes walk during the healing process.

• Stress management, including adequate sleep and rest. Sleep enhances cell repair and hormonal production.

• Not too frequent sex during the healing period; it is weakening to sperm count.

• Avoid alcohol, coffee, excess sugar, fried and fast foods, and refined, processed, and genetically engineered foods.

• Beware of kidney imbalances.

• Eat fresh organic fruit and vegetables (pesticides create estrogen dominance in the body), and free-range dairy and animal products (hormone-fed cattle meat disturb the body’s hormonal balance). Asparagus root and black beans increase fertility.

If fresh dietary supplements are unavailable or insufficient, you can take them in the form of natural vitamin and mineral supplements.

• Multivitamin and multimineral supplements should be high in zinc and selenium.

• Vitamin E 500 l Us.

• Vitamin C 1000 mg twice a day.

• Omega-3-and-6 essential oils.

These are natural, easily applicable, and harmless ways to treat infertility and gain health and energy. It is worthwhile giving them a try before undergoing medical or surgical procedures that can be painful, costly, and traumatic at times.

(Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].)