Any alteration in our organism can have effects on our health and fertility.
Hypothyroidism and its consequences on our fertility
Hypothyroidism is a set of organic alterations that usually cause an insufficiency of thyroid hormones. These hormones are the basis for the proper development of the body’s functions. In this sense, it is important to maintain the value of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thus maintain the correct supply of thyroid hormones to the fetus.
Nutrition and its link to hypothyroidism
To keep TSH within healthy ranges, there are a number of recommendations, such as the following intakes:
- It is recommended to avoid dairy and soy, as they can modify TSH levels.
- Selenium is a key component in maintaining healthy TSH ranges. There are foods that are high in selenium such as Brazil nuts, wheat, bran, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, barley and mustard seeds.
- Iodine, an element found in spinach, brown rice, fresh mushrooms, beets, carrots and apples, among others.
Alternative solutions
In addition to a healthy and balanced diet, there are other alternative treatments that can be followed to avoid or alleviate thyroid problems, such as Physiotherapy and Ayurveda.
How does our nutrition influence fertility?
There are foods that can generate positive effects on our health, such as fruits and vegetables. However, there are other foods that can affect our fertility, such as those containing saturated fats and trans fatty acids, salt and sugars. By avoiding foods that are detrimental to our health and adding beneficial foods, we can improve our fertility.
Eating tips during treatment
A healthy and balanced diet should be combined by different food groups.
The most important are fruits and vegetables, because they provide most of the nutrients needed by the human being and allow us to reduce the risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and gastrointestinal problems.
The relationship between fertility and overweight
A diet with an excess of animal proteins can substitute the consumption of other foods, thus negatively affecting our fertility. This type of diet can lead to overweight and affect the fertility of the couple, both women and men, although in different ways.
On the one hand, overweight women increase estrogen levels, altering menstrual cycles and ovulation. On the other hand, in men, being overweight can decrease testosterone levels. For these reasons, it is important to follow different healthy and balanced eating habits to promote cardiovascular function and increase fertility in women and men.