Every day a sea of potentially hormone-disturbing toxins surrounds us, in pesticides and herbicides in our soil; in chemicals and additives in the food we eat; in contaminants in the water we drink; in pollutants from car exhausts and cigarette smoke; in chemicals in solvents, plastics and adhesives; as well as all the toxins we absorb through our skin in make up, hair dyes and household cleaning products along with possible radiation from visual display units, mobiles or VDUs. These everyday toxins have been linked to birth defects and hormonal disruption so great that some of them are now called EDCs or endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals.

It is thought that EDCs could interfere with fertility due to the damage they can cause to your ovulation cycle and possibly your eggs, as well as to a man’s sperm production. Experts aren’t entirely sure how they threaten fertility but it appears that they have the potential to interfere with the natural process of your hormones, preventing them from producing the natural responses in much the same way that a car parked across an exit prevents other cars from getting in and out. They create hormonal havoc by mimicking our own natural hormones and tricking your body into a fertility inhibition condition of hormonal imbalance known as oestrogen excess or oestrogen dominance. EDCs are stored in body fat and found in everything from plastics to pesticides and even though the government tells us EDCs are perfectly safe there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that they are not and that they have potentially damaging effects to hormonal health and health in general.

 

Although there are ways to limit your exposure, it’s virtually impossible to completely avoid exposure to toxins in today’s busy, industrialised world so what you need to do is fortify yourself and your partner against the effects of unavoidable exposure. And the best way to do this is to keep your body’s own detoxifying organs – your liver, kidneys and adrenals – in good working order by cleansing both your diet and your lifestyle so that EDCs and other toxins are successfully eliminated from your system.

 

Cleanse your diet

 

A nutrient rich, healthy, balanced diet that excludes alcohol, smoking and caffeine – all of which can have a toxic effect on your body – is the best way to protect yourself and your fertility from toxic damage. It is especially important to make sure you are getting enough antioxidants in your diet, and the best way to do this is to eat lots of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. Research has shown how powerful antioxidants such as Vitamins E, and C can be. Another beneficial nutrient for your liver is sulphur.  Garlic, cruciferous vegetables and eggs are good sources of nutritional sulphur.

 

If you are trying to get pregnant I highly recommended that you and your partner eat organic food, wherever possible. Organic food often contains higher levels of nutrients and is free from chemical pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilisers. To cut the cost of going organic you could either join an organic food box scheme, where fruits and vegetables are delivered to your door from local producers, or you could visit your local farmers’ market to get a better deal. If going organic isn’t practical for you there are ways you can protect yourself against toxins.

 

•           If you can’t eat just organic fruits and vegetables at least always wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

•           Drink at least six glasses of water a day – add fruit juice if this gets boring and filter your water. Either drink mineral water or use a water filter at home.

•           Reduce your intake of fatty animal products (meat and dairy) as EDCs accumulate in fat.

•           Never heat food in plastic containers and don’t wrap food in plastic – the plastic contains toxins that can be absorbed in your food.

•           Think brown – go for unrefined complex carbohydrates (brown rice, wholemeal pasta, brown bread). Avoid white bread, pasta, biscuits, cakes and refined foods.

•           Eat a leafy, green vegetable a day. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage can boost the liver’s ability to detoxify harmful chemicals.

 

Cleanse your life

 

Manage your weight

EDCs make their home in fat so losing excess body fat will help as that’s where we store toxins. If you are trying to lose weight this can be another great motivator.

 

Avoid aluminium

Avoid aluminium kitchenware, foil and foods and indigestion tablets containing aluminium. 

 

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 labels of toiletries and cosmetics

Be especially wary of the aluminium in deodorants and antiperspirants. Use natural cosmetic products and deodorants.  (see the Natural Lifestyle Products at www.naturalhealthpractice.com).

 

Refuse mercury fillings

Refuse and, when possible, replace mercury-containing dental fillings. Have mercury fillings replaced with white fillings. (Also watch out for high levels of mercury in canned tuna fish).

 

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 anesthetics for health workers such as nurses and vets, to heavy metals (old paint), to solvents (dry cleaning and lab staff), and to glycol ethers used by electronics manufacturing firms has been linked to fertility problems in both men and women.

 

Check what toxins you may be exposed to in your own home and garden

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 laptops, televisions, mobile phones and microwave ovens, should also be used in moderaation and as far away from your bedroom as possible.

 

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 impact of VDUs on reproductive health is still ongoing and no conclusions have been drawn, but if you do work at a screen the computer protection tips below can help to reduce the impact.

 

Take regular breaks from the screen, at least five minutes every half hour

Switch the VDU off, rather than using the screensaver, when you are not using it.

Sit as far away from the computer as you can, while still being able to sit comfortably and see properly.

According to the Institute de Recherches en Geobiologie at Chardonne in Switzerland, which has investigated the effects of radiation with a variety of plants, a cactus called Cereus peruvianus will help absorb some of the VDU’s electromagnetic radiation.

 

 

My latest book Getting Pregnant faster has more detailed information on avoiding fertility inhibiting toxins as well as detailed advice on other natural ways to boost your fertility.

Taken as supplements, certain trace elements can promote bone formation and help to prevent osteoporosis. Some people get enough trace elements in their diets but for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, supplements can be helpful.

Research has shown that boron, found in food such as apples, broccoli, grapes, legumes, nuts and pears is important for calcium metabolism. In addition, it has proven to be an effective mineral for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis because of its ability to activate important vitamins and minerals in the body.

A zinc deficiency is associated with decreases in bone density. That is why it is important to maintain adequate levels of zinc in your diet to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis. Foods rich in zinc include Brazil nuts, oats, peanuts, pumpkins seeds and rye.  (The OsteoPlus supplement are use in the clinic contains both zinc and boron as well as the other important bone nutrients calcium, magnesium and vitamin D – see the Resources Page.)

Oat straw also known as avena sativa or green oat is a pale green grass cultivated for its edible grain. The parts that are used are the seeds and the stem. It has been used for centuries in teas, tinctures and herbal medicines, and has shown promise in treating and preventing a wide variety of health conditions.

Oat straw has been shown to boost immunity, build bones and prevent osteoporosis. It is also effective as a pain reliever and for easing anxiety and depression but one of the most popular applications for oat straw however is in sexual enhancement supplements, as although it is not an aphrodisiac it can help prolong sexual performance and stamina, hence the term ‘sowing your oats.’ In men it appears to be effective for treating impotence and premature ejaculation. In women it may increase sexual desire.

Wild oats are reported to have been a noticeable sexual stimulant for horses and other animals, and studies suggest they can have the same effect on humans of both sexes. References to the stimulating effects of avena sativa have been found for hundreds of years in the German Pharmacopoeia and recent studies have confirmed that it can enhance libido by reducing stress and easing the mind, much like ginkgo and damiana.

 

Avena sativa is rich in body-building and energy boosting nutrients including silicon, manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A, B1, B2 and E and is great for building healthy bones, skin, hair and nails. The seeds are not only a rich source of carbohydrate and soluble fibre they also have the highest content of iron, zinc and manganese of any grain. In addition they contain compounds which are both sedative and soothing to the brain and nervous system.

 

In cases of sexual problems related to stress and anxiety, Avena sativa and its compounds work as nervine relaxants to ease tension and strengthen and support the nervous system and as a tonic to promote energy to handle stress. Oat straw can also be used in baths for rheumatic problems, lumbago, liver ailments and gout.  It can soften the skin and help eczema and other skin diseases, flaky skin, frostbite, chilblains, wounds, and eye problems.

Avena sativa does not appear to interact with drugs so it is often used as a safe alternative to other herbs that are used for anxiety, such as St John’s wort, which cannot be taken with many prescription medications. Avena sativa may also be of use in helping with drug withdrawal and is often combined with valerian and skullcap.