The cause of many infertility cases (up to 30 per cent) remains unexplained. Some experts believe that low level exposure to toxins may be the culprit.

Every day a sea of hormone disturbing chemicals surrounds us. They are in cigarette smoke, in pesticides and herbicides in our soil; in chemicals and additives in the food we eat; contaminants in the water we drink; environmental chemicals in solvents, plastics and adhesives as well as in all the toxins we absorb through the skin in make-up, hair dyes and household cleaning products. Your body has to work harder to get rid of these toxins, and in the process of detoxing it loses fertility boosting nutrients.

 

Some of these toxins have been linked to birth defects and hormonal disruption so great that they are called general endocrine disrupters. Research is still ongoing but the link between infertility and reproductive toxins is clear so it makes sense to avoid possible sources of contamination. The following checklist will help you avoid unnecessary exposure to toxic metals both at home and at work:

• Cleanse your diet: Eat nutritious, preferably organic, food and take food supplements. A cleansing diet, avoiding substances such as salt, sugar, caffeine, additives, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and cadmium from smoking and exposure to passive smoking, all of which can have a toxic effect on the body is the best way to avoid toxin damage. Also, wash food carefully and avoid using tinned and ready-made food and food and drinks with additives and preservatives. Buy organic food, if possible.
• Avoid aluminium: Avoid aluminium kitchenware, foil and foods and indigestion tablets containing aluminium additives.
• Avoid lead: Check if your water supply has lead pipes, as lead can leach into the water just by standing in lead pipes overnight. If you have lead pipes, allow your tap to run for a minute first thing in the morning. Use water from the cold, not the hot tap because lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Also use a water filter for all your water, including cooking, hot drinks, and so on.
• Check toiletries and cosmetics: Check labels of toiletries and cosmetics. Be especially wary of the aluminium in deodorants and antiperspirants. Use natural cosmetic products and deodorants.
• Refuse mercury fillings: Refuse and, when possible, replace mercury-containing dental fillings. Have mercury fillings replaced with non toxic ones. (Also avoid swordfish, shark and marlin which can contain high levels of mercury.)
• Check chemicals at work: Check what chemicals and toxins you may be exposed to at work. Carbon disulphide, used in several manufacturing processes, such as the production of plastics, has been linked to sexual dysfunction in both women and men. Many pesticides and herbicides are known reproductive toxins. People working in gardens, parks, plant nurseries and farms are at risk. Exposure to anaesthetics for health workers such as nurses and vets, to heavy metals (traffic fumes and cheap paint), to solvents (dry cleaning and lab staff and hairdressers), and to glycol ethers used by electronics manufacturing firms has been linked to fertility problems in both men and women.
• Limit computer time: Limit your time spent at VDU screens. One study showed that women who spend more than 20 hours a week in front of a VDU screen, like a television or computer monitor, have twice as many miscarriages as non-VDU workers. Research on the impact of VDUs on reproductive health is still ongoing and no conclusions have been drawn.
• Check for home and garden toxins: Check what toxins you may be exposed to in your own home. Try not to use pesticides in your garden and have your house treated for woodworm when you aren’t living there. Treat your pets or your house for bugs with natural herbal sprays or garlic. Be careful if you are decorating your home and avoid solvent-based paints and white spirits. Buy solvent-free paints instead and minimise the amount of chemicals you use in your home such as polish, bleach, detergents, and air fresheners. Try to buy natural products or use tried and tested cleaners like vinegar, baking soda or borax.
• Check for electromagnetic radiation: Devices that emit electromagnetic radiation, such as VDUs, television, mobile phones, radios and microwave ovens, should also be used with caution and as far away from your bedroom as possible.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 at 3:00 am and is filed under Fertility, Toxins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.