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Intermittent fasting for fertility?

preconception

Note: This post is based on observations and experiences of myself and my clients. Its intention is not meant to gaslight anyone else’s experience.

Once in a while I get a question about intermittent fasting (IF) for fertility. There are definitely very differing views on IF for fertility. I know that when I tried it years ago, I stopped ovulating. This was also the experience of several of my clients. There are many reasons this could be:

“...progesterone receptors do not transport progesterone molecules into the nucleus of cells if adrenaline is present. This is most likely to happen in everyday life when we miss a meal and our blood sugar level drops.” (Dalton)

We may unnecessarily restrict calories. The female pituitary gland, which is involved in the conduction and production of many reproductive hormones, is highly sensitive to caloric intake. (Martin et al) Energy deficiency can also make menstrual problems worse. (Fahrenholtz et al)

It’s been shown in animal studies that fasting alters leptin, which we know plays a role in regulating LH and FSH. (Henry et al)

“In general, our diets are less nutrient intense and more pro-inflammatory—both of these factors make us more fragile and less physiologically sound than our ancestors were.” (Shanahan)

There are several nutrients that can be depleted by fasting. Vitamin B6, a critically important nutrient, is one of them. (Haas)

It’s not yet proven that fasting harms reproductive health, but my take is the odds are pretty stacked against us already. And in general, any kind of restriction can signal to the body that it’s in a famine. This puts us in a survival state, which is not conducive to reproduction.

It’s also important to note that most IF studies have been done on animals or males.

As always, do with this information what you will. I always encourage everyone to do your own research and to find an approach to eating that’s sustainable and right for them.

I will be talking about nourishing foods to include in your preconception prep in our upcoming course. You can sign up via the link in my bio for updates. Stay tuned!

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Not medical advice.
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Dalton, K. (1999). Once a Month. Hunter House Inc., Publishers: Alameda, CA.

Fahrenholtz, I.L. Sjöden, A. Benardot, D. Tornberg, Å.B. Skouby, S. Faber, J. Sundgot-Borgen, J.K. Melin, A.K. (2018). Within-day energy deficiency and reproductive function in female endurance athletes. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29205517/.

Haas, E. M. Levin, B. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition. New York, NY: Ten Speed Press.

Henry, B.A. Goding, J.W. Tillbrook, A.J. Dunshea, F.R. Clarke, I.J. (2001). Intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin elevates the secretion of luteinising hormone without affecting food intake in long-term food-restricted sheep, but increases growth hormone irrespective of bodyweight. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11139771/.

Krishnan, S. Jansson, P.J. Gutierrez, E. Lane, D.J.R. Richardson, D. Sahni, S. (2015). IRON METABOLISM AND AUTOPHAGY: A POORLY EXPLORED RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCES FOR HEALTH AND DISEASE. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361502/.

Martin, B. Golden, E. Carlson, O.D. Egan, J.M. Mattson, M.P. Maudsley, S. (2008). Caloric restriction: Impact upon pituitary function and reproduction. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2634963/.

Shanahan, C. (2017). Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food. Flatiron Books Publishing.

 

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.