Spring into Conscious Conception: Creating a Healthy Future by Nikki Burnett
Nutrition Editor NIKKI BURNETT MS CNTP MNT is a Functional Nutritionist at Taste Life Nutrition. Nikki works with ambitious professionals to help them overcome hidden barriers to both health and success. Challenges such as chronic stress, brain fog, low energy, and stubborn chronic issues frequently have their roots in unhealthy foods and unknown inflammatory conditions. Functional nutrition is based on the science of functional medicine. The goal is to understand the body through functional lab testing, genetic testing, environmental factors, stress, and lifestyle.
Editor’s Note: This article is for information purposes only. Please check with your medical provider before beginning any treatment.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
As we move into spring, I meet many people in my practice who are considering starting a family or growing their families. It’s always such an exciting time! While most people focus on pregnancy, birth, and baby, the time BEFORE you have a baby is just as important. Both men and women can take steps to make sure the body is at its best for conception. This also gives the baby the best chance at a healthy, full, and successful life.
I write about epigenetics pretty regularly. Epigenetics is “the study of how the environment and other factors can change the way that genes are expressed” (Psychology Today). I believe it is of the utmost importance when creating a baby. Studies show that a grandparent’s nutritional status will affect their grandchild. More than that, epigenetic expression can affect seven generations down! “Transgenerational responses to ancestors’ nutrition prevailed as the main influence on longevity.” (European Journal of Human Genetics 2007).
Lifestyle is a key component of healthy, epigenetic expression. Lifestyle factors include nutrition, stress reduction, minimizing toxin exposure, movement, and healthy relationships. The production of egg and sperm cells take four months to mature, and the quality of each depends on nutritional status, environmental exposures, and stress.
Using a car analogy, take a moment to consider your nutrition. Think about how the body might be similar to a car. If the wrong type of gasoline is put into the car’s tank, it’s not likely to run very well. If the car’s gas tank is filled with water, it would be full—but it won’t be full of what it needs to run properly. The same is true with our bodies. You may think you’re eating enough food to sustain yourself on a daily basis but really think about the nutritional value you’re adding into those meals. Look for ways to increase the nutrients you consume by cutting out the processed foods and replacing them with real, whole foods.
In addition, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs can greatly reduce the chances of conceiving naturally since they affect the normal functions of the body. Studies show that three drinks per week decrease the chances of pregnancy significantly, and caffeine consumption had a strong negative impact on the rate of miscarriage. The effect was higher when more than two cups per day were consumed by the man in preconception time!
There are also specific nutrients that are essential during preconception. These include folate, B-12, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids—which can all be found in healthy, whole foods. Folate is the natural form of folic acid, which is synthetic. If you are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant, or postpartum, only take folate. B-12 has several different forms, but the one to avoid is cyanocobalamin. It is synthetic and potentially damaging. Vitamin E is also often synthetic. Dl-alpha tocopherol is synthetic. Look for d-alpha-tocopherol or better yet, a mix of tocopherols and tocotrienols. Omega 3-fatty acids are easily damaged, creating an oxidized, toxic fat. Only purchase omega-3 fatty acids from reputable sources and not big box stores.
Researchers have shown a link between high stress levels in women and the inability to conceive. Stress creates chronically elevated levels of cortisol, which decreases chances of conception or can lead to miscarriage. Having a mindfulness practice, prayer time, meditation, and yoga can change body chemistry and allow for a healthy environment for the baby.
Think about your environment. What are you cleaning with? What are you using in your yard and garden? What do you use on your body? These chemicals are not only toxic, but they are endocrine disruptors, creating hormone imbalances for men and women.
Movement is just as important as avoiding toxins and incorporating nutrient-dense foods. The body is meant to move. Movement reduces stress and builds a strong, healthy body. You may also begin to lose weight and have far more energy throughout the day.
As you move toward starting a family, take your time to understand the gravity your health has on future generations. If you’re in a situation where conception has been difficult, consider your lifestyle and any changes that could be made before moving to more drastic measures of conception. Traditional, natural remedies often have a far greater success rate than expensive, painful medical treatments. As you create a strong healthy you, you also create a strong healthy future. Taste Life!
Nikki Burnett: @tastelifenutrition // info@tastelifenutrition