Infertility affects 1 in 3 couples in North America and with the immense advances of IVF technology and better knowledge of blood work, more and more couples are being diagnosed with poor egg quality as their source of infertility. Now the number one reason for poor egg quality is due to poor ovarian reserve and advanced maternal age. But more and more I am seeing women being identified with low ovarian reserve (low AMH levels in their blood work) resulting in poor egg quality in their late 20’s and early 30’s. Not what we consider advanced maternal age.
Over a lifetime, there are all kinds of detrimental factors that can negatively impact egg quality. Some examples are:
- Chronic Stress
- Chronic Illness
- Free radicals damage to cells
Once an egg becomes damaged, it is considered abnormal. Abnormal eggs cannot be healed or repaired. But we can affect the eggs in the recruitment phase. If we help to decrease stress levels by helping the body manage stress better and reduce free radical damage to the eggs we are able to improve the eggs quality. The body recruits eggs to be released 3 months before. So to help with egg quality, treatment should be started at least 3 months before trying to conceive or 3 months before an IUI or IVF procedure.
Most important factors to incorporate to improve egg quality
Acupuncture is one way to decrease stress. It helps your body by promoting blood flow, counteracting the tightening of muscles in response to stress, driving more blood flow into the uterus and most importantly it calms the mind. Because it is often our mental stress that impacts our physical stress response.
Antioxidants are the next best addition to your regime to help support better egg quality. Antioxidants will help reverse the damage that stress has on our cells, including our eggs. Antioxidants that are traditionally used for egg quality include:
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- Acai Berries, Acai berries being the highest source of antioxidants.
- CoQ10 and PQQ
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The Highest Source of Antioxidants – Acai Berries
