How Your Diet Can Affect the Success of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Starting a family of your own is a great way to achieve many of your dreams. Yet there are a number of factors that can make this more difficult for some people than others. Infertility issues can take many forms, affecting women and men. Advances in reproductive medicine have allowed fertility specialists to help men and women have children though safe and effective means.
Right now, we want to focus on a patient's diet and how that can impact the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF), the most popular and well-known fertility treatment available today. This is a topic you may have seen a lot about online when doing research on fertility treatments, so we want to provide prospective patients with straight facts rather than half-truths or pseudo-science.
Does diet really affect fertility treatment success?
Yes, a person's diet can have some sway with regard to in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. That said, a healthy diet alone will not automatically lead to IVF success, so it's important to keep that realistic expectation in mind. What a healthy diet can do is make successful pregnancy and live birth more likely.
Is there a magic bullet with regard to foods/diet to boost in vitro fertilization (IVF) success?
No, there is no such thing as a magic bullet for in vitro fertilization (IVF) success. No miracle food is out there, and neither is there a fad diet or miracle diet that will guarantee surefire results with any fertility treatment.
When we say that diet ca affect IVF success, what we really means is that eating healthy is more likely to result in a healthy lifestyle and hence greater success of treatment. In other words, if a patient is in better shape and better overall health, the likelihood of successful IVF treatment increases.
Good Foods and Beverages to Consider for a Healthy Diet
When it comes to a good diet, a combination of balance and common sense are key. The following foods are good for overall health and wellness.
- Fresh fruits
- Fresh vegetables
- Leafy greens
- Lean meats
- Whole grains
- Water
Be sure to eat more vegetables and fruits than carbs and meat, and that there are many great vegetarian sources of protein, such as beans and nuts.
Some Foods and Beverages to Avoid or Limit
There are obviously some foods that are bad for your health and may make maintaining overall wellness more difficult. You will want to limit your intake or simply avoid the following as you undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment:
- Fast food
- Junk food
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- Soft drinks
- Artificial sweeteners
Other Considerations with Regard to Diet and Fertility Treatment
Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what the best foods are for you and your needs. In such cases, it's best to discuss these matters with your general practitioner, our team, or a nutritionist. Health specialists can pinpoint various nutritional needs that may not be met by your current diet and help you make smarter choices with what you eat. This isn't just good for in virto fertilization (IVF) success but for total and lasting wellness.
Schedule a Consultation with a Fertility Specialist
For more information about in vitro fertilization (IVF) and your many options out there for starting the family that you have always wanted to have, be sure to contact our Omaha, Nebraska fertility and reproductive medicine specialists today. By meeting with our team, you will receive ample information on all matters related to your many fertility treatment options.