Fertile Foods – by by Ian Wahl, DAc, Lac, CH
Allergies and Infertility: The Truth About The Connection – by by Ian Wahl, DAc, Lac, CH
Infertility and Oriental Medicine – by by Georgina Salgado Chavez ND, LAc.
Products Versus Babies: Do Consumer Products Really cause Infertility? – by by Ian Wahl, DAc, Lac, CH
Enhancing Fertility Through Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine – by Ian Wahl, DAc, Lac, CH
Why Is Blood Flow So Important To Fertility? – by Ian Wahl, DAc, Lac, CH
Male Fertility Myths and Facts – by Ian Wahl, DAc, Lac, CH

From the dawn of time, the desire to bear a child has been so deeply imbedded in women that as biological clocks tick and no child is conceived, women and their partners often spend years in medical diagnostics trying to create the child their heart is longing for.

Before spending your time and money going down conventional medical avenues, consider how couples in the past have increased their fertility through traditional foods and nutrition.

Below are some Fertile Foods suggestions that we give to all of the fertility patients in our clinic:
1.Eliminate all caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
2.Eliminate soy products, which are dampening in nature and also increase your estrogen levels. Read labels. All processed foods contain lecithin which is usually made from soy. To avoid this, eat foods in their natural state.
3.Eat more alkaline rather than acidic foods. This website has a chart to help you follow this suggestion – www.trans4mind.com/nutrition. To make this easier, just add lemon juice to your water.
4.Eat organic foods and hormone-free meats, poultry, fish and eggs. The hormones in these foods create estrogen in the body which makes a woman like a walking birth control pill and lowers sperm counts significantly in men.
5.Eliminate all dairy from your diet. It is phlegm producing which causes things like cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, blocked tubes, etc.
6.A diet high in essential fatty acids and B vitamins, while low in sugar and processed carbohydrates, may aid fertility. Couples may benefit from keeping a food diary for 1-2 days, and then reviewing that information with a holistic practitioner for suggested changes. Over-supplementation with vitamins is never recommended. However, you should take a high-quality fish oil supplement along with 800 mg (micrograms) of Folic Acid (folate) every day. Unfortunately, you cannot get enough of either through eating natural food sources (fish, peanuts, liver, and vegetables). In fact, during pregnancy, women’s bodies just don’t absorb folate as efficiently as we would like. Supplementation for at least 3 to 6 months before conception is ideal, and supplementation through the pregnancy is critical.
7.Add more cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower to your diet. Juice Plus provides these foods daily.
8.Eat only whole fruits and vegetables, not juices, which contain too much sugar and damage the spleen organ system.
9.Supplement your diet with a high quality EFA (Fish Oil only not flax, or cod liver oil).
10.Avoid foods with preservatives and chemicals.
11.Avoid any food made with white flour or wheat. Simple starches are converted to glucose immediately after ingestion and become sugar as far as the body is concerned, which damages the Spleen. Eat rice and potatoes instead. Rice is also diuretic and may help clear excess fluids, which is helpful in eliminating dampness from the body.
12.Avoid sugar and sugar substitutes and any concentrated sweets including honey and maple syrup. Molasses and agave syrup are OK for sweetening.
13.Avoid junk food, excessive stress, too little sleep, too much exercise, or anything taxing to the immune system.
14.Avoid unnecessary medications and drugs, including over-the-counter preparations.
15.Avoid harboring anger and resentment. Feelings of frustration and internal emotional tension need to be resolved as soon as possible, as any stagnated emotion can inhibit the Qi mechanism.
16.Laugh. Watch funny shows or movies to release any stuck internal feelings. Comedies are better for you than Law and Order: SVU!
17.Breathe deeply and relax. Learn to take a few minutes each day to sit quietly in a chair, or lie down on a bed, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Take a deep breath in through your nose and then slowly exhale. While inhaling say to yourself, “I am calm and serene”; while exhaling say to yourself, “I release all stress and discomfort.” A few minutes of this simple breathing exercise every day can change your life (especially when combined with some Hatha Yoga exercises in the morning or evening).
18.Get adequate rest and sufficient exercise.
19.Perform meditative techniques to help relieve the mind of undue worry. Gentle Hatha or Yin Yoga and affirmations are good for this.

There is more to preparing for pregnancy than just eating healthy and relieving stress. You need to develop an attitude of gratitude. The Energy, the Source, that created the world and all life within it, is within you too. You can attract and create new life, the child meant for you, by developing an attitude of gratitude, even if that child hasn’t arrived yet. Look at everyone who has a baby, or is pregnant, and say to yourself, “I am happy for them! I am just like them! I give thanks for blessings I already have and for the child I know I am going to have.” Developing an attitude of gratitude reduces your chances of following the tumultuous path of failed infertility treatments and constant anxiety.

Remember, you are preparing for pregnancy—not competition. You are not in competition with those who already have what you want—a baby. I strongly encourage all women to develop their own pre-pregnancy plan through which they honor their womanhood, their intuition, and their feminine energy and thus create their optimum level of health and well-being.

GUIDE FOR THE NEWLY PREGNANT

It has finally happened, the pregnancy test is positive!! You and your partner are so excited; the moment you have been praying for has arrived. Soon you are filled with a whole new list of questions as you begin this new adventure. We have put together a list of foods to avoid and do’s and don’ts to help you answer some of your questions. Remember we are always here for you if you have any questions and don’t hesitate to call your doctor with questions as well.

Following is a list of foods you should avoid throughout your pregnancy:

Things You Should and Should Not Do During Pregnancy
There are quite a few things you can do during your pregnancy to help improve your health as well as your baby’s health. You can also avoid risks that can complicate or terminate a pregnancy. Some of the items listed here (such as avoiding microwaves and electric blankets, etc.) are controversial. Some studies have shown they are dangerous, others not. It is up to you to do the research and decide if the risks outweigh the benefits.

Things You SHOULD Do

Things You Should NOT Do

Now, take a deep breath and know you are going to do great! You have worked so hard to reach this point and now is the time to enjoy every moment. We are always here for you and there are no questions that are silly, so don’t be afraid to ask. We are so happy for you and look forward to meeting your little one in a few short months.

Ian Wahl, DA, LAc, CH, a board certified Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist specializing in women’s health and reproductive Oriental medicine. Dr. Wahl can be reached at Ian (at) FirtileSpirit.com.

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With 15 percent of couples experiencing fertility challenges today, and with people experiencing more and more allergies than ever before, I am often asked if their allergies could be the cause of their fertility challenges. Although there is no direct relationship between common allergies and infertility, there is a great deal of empirical data indicating an indirect relationship.


Allergies and sensitivities result from a compromised immune system. They are nothing more than an error message in the body. During an allergic reaction, the body over reacts to a normally harmless substance. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, allergies develop when the body’s defenses are lowered or weakened, usually during physical or emotional stress, or during an illness. When the body is not functioning properly, it looks for what is causing its problem and associates that with some substance, food or stimuli. However, there are men and women whose allergies directly affect their fertility. Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is known to affect fertility and five percent of the population experiences a sperm allergy.


Although most people do not have to worry about such a direct connection between allergies and infertility, there is an indirect connection that affects many couples experiencing fertility challenges. Allergies and hypersensitivities result from a compromised immune system. Then the body’s allergic reaction further compromises the immune system. A compromised immune system is a primary cause of fertility difficulties.


So, what can you do to boost your immune system? Here are seven recommendations we make to our patients:

(1) – Drink half your weight in ounces of water a day. Water balances every organ and system in your body. It is the ideal lubricant for your immune system. And while you are at it, learn to love lemons. Lemon juice added to water restores the acid-alkali balance of the body and this too helps boost your immune system.


(2) – Stop drinking coffee, eating chocolate (to excess, at least), and downing energy drinks. Contrary to the advertising industry, chocolate isn’t good for you regardless of the antioxidants found in it. Caffeine dehydrates you and robs your body of vitamins and minerals. Caffeine is an immune system disaster.


(3) – Eliminate refined sugar. It lowers immunity, depresses organ function, plays havoc with your energy levels, and scrambles any weight management program you may be inclined to pursue. I recommend agave as a substitute. And stay away from artificial sweeteners—they are worse for you than cane sugar.


(4) – Take a good quality, whole-food based multivitamin with minerals. It is difficult to get all the nutrients we need from our foods.


(5) – Eat only hormone-free meat, fish, eggs and poultry. We naturally produce our own hormones in the quantities our body requires. We do not need to add more hormones than we were built to produce. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.


(6) – Eat more raw vegetables and fruits as they are the best sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and enzymes. The key is color—always include a variety of colors when you eat your fruits and veggies.


(7) – Nourish your soul and nurture yourself. The more you take care of your mind and spirit, the healthier your body will become. Taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage, and finding a good acupuncturist are wonderful ways to nurture yourself and in the process boost your immune system. However, there is another important process at work in all human beings. You grow the seeds you plant in the garden of your soul. If you fill your spiritual garden with the weeds of negativity (such as video games, movies, books or television programs that focus on negative news, crises, murder, and conspiracy), you will harvest more weeds. We become programmed by what we repeatedly watch and hear and immerse ourselves in. Keep the movie you run in your mind positive and watch the positive run in your life.

What about those of us who have already developed allergies and sensitivities? How do we handle our existing physical and emotional problems that seem to keep our immune systems depressed? The good news is that there is a way to eliminate these sensitivities, allergic reactions and compromised immune systems. Natural healthcare, particularly when paired with natural advanced allergy therapeutics, will eliminate the allergic reactions, enhance the immune system and balance the body energetically and hormonally. Once this is accomplished, fertility, pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby can occur. This is not a pipe dream. It is a reality for many couples who have been told that they will never conceive and give birth to a child of their own.


Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in women’s and men’s health and reproductive wellness. He is the Founder and Director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers (www.FertileSpirit.com) and the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers (www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com).

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Infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman keeps having miscarriages, it is also called infertility. Lots of couples have infertility problems. About a third of the time, infertility can be traced to the woman. In another third cases, it is because of the man. The rest of the time, it is because of both partners or no cause found. Female causes of infertility:
Scarring from sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis*, ovulation dysfunction, poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance, ovarian cysts, pelvic infection, tumors, or a transport system abnormality from the cervix through the fallopian tubes are responsible for 40 – 50% of infertility in couples.
Male causes of infertility: Approximately 30 – 40% of all infertility is due to a “male” factor such as retrograde ejaculation*, impotence, hormonal deficiency, environmental pollutants, scarring from sexually transmitted disease, or decreased sperm count. Some factors affecting sperm count are heavy marijuana use or use of prescription drugs. A woman’s peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. As a woman ages beyond age 40, the likelihood of getting pregnant drops to less than 10% per month.

According to the National Survey of Family Growth conducted by the CDC in 2002:
• 7.3 million women had impaired fecundity, a physical difficulty with getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term.
• 2.1 million women were infertile.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)* and similar treatments account for less than 3% of infertility services.
• The average cost of an in vitro fertilization cycle in the United States is $12,400.
• The Center for Disease Control has found that in vitro fertilization was achieved in only 30.7% of all attempts.
• About 69% of the IVF procedures carried out did not produce a pregnancy.
• Less than 1% of all IVF cycles resulted in an ectopic* pregnancy.
• About 11% of these IVF pregnancies involved multiple fetuses.
• About 83% of the IVF pregnancies resulted in a live birth.
• About 17% of the IVF pregnancies resulted in miscarriage, induced abortion, or a stillbirth.

Today will be talk about successful solutions that are less financially and physically draining on you and your family. In Chinese Medicine an overall picture of your health problems is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment. We will investigate the role of Acupuncture and Hers in treating infertility and other health problems. Acupuncture is a system of healing discovered over 3500 years ago in mainland China. It works by restoring the proper flow of blood to organs, glands and tissue by finding where circulation is blocked and using tiny needles to remove those blocks. As a result, the injured or weak organ, gland or tissue can heal and health is restored. Oriental Medicine includes not only Acupuncture but the use of Chinese Herbs. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are few, if any, negative side effects from Acupuncture treatments.A poll taken by Acupuncture Today found that nearly 80% of acupuncturists are treating their female patients for infertility with a combination of Herbs and Acupuncture.How Acupuncture can help the male role in infertility: A recent trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective Acupuncture can be in the treatment of this condition, leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects.
How Acupuncture can help the male role in infertility: A recent trial published in Fertility and Sterility has shown just how effective Acupuncture can be in the treatment of this condition, leading to significant increases in the number of normal sperm and equally significant reductions in structural defects. Compared to the control group, the ability of semen to move increased significantly in the samples of the men receiving Acupuncture. The number and percentage of healthy sperm also increased dramatically in the Acupuncture patients. Compared to the control group, the ability of semen to move increased significantly in the samples of the men receiving Acupuncture. The number and percentage of healthy sperm also increased dramatically in the Acupuncture patients. Fertility and Sterility conducted another study of 160 women, all of whom had undergone an average of two previous in vitro fertilization cycles. Their average age was 32. Half of the women received 25-minute Acupuncture treatments before and after the embryo transfer. The control group did not receive any Acupuncture treatment.

The Emotional Factor:

A study was conducted by the University of Arizona consisting of 38 adult women diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. They were treated with Acupuncture according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, each for her own specific pattern of symptoms. They were treated twice per week for one month and once per week for a second month, for a total of 12 sessions.After completion of their Acupuncture treatment for depression, 70% of the women experienced at least a 50% reduction of symptoms, results comparable to the success rate of psychotherapy and medication, without the dangers or side effects of drugs.
• Vitex, which works by stimulating the pituitary gland. This increases the production of progesterone, which helps regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle. Vitex also reduces a hormone called prolactin, which has been found to benefit infertile women.
• Cynomorium is used to treat impotence in men, and infertility and a lack of libido in women. In both genders it is used for strengthening the kidneys.
• Cistanche is used to replenish blood and strengthen the kidneys. It is most commonly used to treat impotence and premature ejaculation. Some studies suggest cistanche can treat some cases of infertility and lower blood pressure.
• Morinda is also used to treat kidney deficiency that manifests as certain sexual ailments such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and infertility.
• Cnidium is often combined with other herbs to treat infertility and impotence; in many classical traditional Chinese medicine texts, cnidium is used as a form of aphrodisiac.

Of course, each herb is unique and it is highly suggested one consult a trained herbalist who would recommend a formula of all or some of the above herbs Since there are several causes of infertility, an extensive history and evaluation to uncover the nature of the problem needs to be done. In our clinic we specialize in pain management, infertility treatments, weight loss treatments and stress management. Naturopathic medicine and Oriental medicine offers more possibilities than ever before. Understanding the body ability to heal to better pick the right care for each patient, ultimately becoming healthy is the ultimate goal for all parties. An ND and LAc., can provide the tools to lead the body to 100% functioning and healing, the health care practitioner expertise to help the patient to navigate the road of superior health care. The point is: health is not simply being symptom free.

Health is functioning at 100% of your full potential.

My duty as a practitioner of alternative medicine become more familiar with the benefits of Naturopathic medicine and Oriental medicine, the growing demand for health problems and to understand the choices of those that already having health issues, alternative medicine today more than ever plays an important role in the industry of health care.
Georgina Salgado Chavez ND, LAc.
Marbett Beauty Clinic
4051 W 63^rd ST.
Chicago, IL 60629

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Let’s not jump to conclusions without some facts. Infertility is a complex of factors that defy easy pinpointing. Infertility is rarely simple. Doctors who specialize in fertility treatments once thought that one could merely manipulate a woman’s hormone levels, remove her eggs, inseminate them with a sperm, put the resulting embryo back in her, and viola—a baby nine months later. Unfortunately for couples experiencing fertility challenges, it turns out to be more difficult. There is a contributing factor that we are just beginning to understand. Science has only just begun to demonstrate clear links between environmental contaminants and fertility problems. There is a direct parallel in the rise in infertility rates and the increase in chemicals introduced into our environment and into our consumer products. But which chemicals are doing what damage, if any? That is the difficult question to answer.


Let’s look at some of the most common—certainly not all—of the chemicals in our daily lives that we know adversely affect fertility and can have an impact upon your having the baby of your dreams. And let’s also see if we can determine some solutions to these difficult to avoid toxins.


Living near agricultural crops sprayed with pesticides decreases fertility
Dr. Erin Bell in Epidemiology, March 2001, reported that miscarriage rates were up to 120% higher for mothers living near crops where certain pesticides were sprayed.


What can I do?
Move? Well, if that isn’t an option, avoid as much contact as possible with the pesticides used on crops. And follow the recommendations below for reducing your risks during the time you are actively trying to conceive.


Cigarette smoking decreases fertility
As early as 1985, the AMA Journal has reported that female smokers reduce their chances of pregnancy by 30%. Today we know that cigarette smoke also reduces semen quality. In fact, even passive smoke reduces fertility in both men and women.


What can I do?
This one is a no-brainer: stop smoking and stay away from others who do smoke. The caveat is to stop smoking without the use of pharmaceuticals that can also adversely affect your fertility. Seek out a good acupuncturist or hypnotherapist with a track record of successfully treating smoking cessation.


Coffee decreases fertility
A Yale University study (published in Epidemiologic Reviews 1992) of 1,909 women in Connecticut found the risk of not conceiving for 12 months (the usual definition of infertility), was 55% higher for women drinking 1 cup of coffee per day – 100% higher for women drinking 1 and one-half to 3 cups and 176% higher for women drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day.


What can I do?
Stop drinking coffee while trying to get pregnant. Isn’t having a baby worth a few months of being coffee free? Although there is some controversy regarding both caffeinated coffee and decaf coffee during pregnancy, the bottom line is always the same—moderation. I believe that substituting some foods and lifestyle decisions for having a baby is one decision that you will spend the rest of your life congratulating yourself for doing.


MSG
Believe it or not, in 1979, a study conducted at Northern Illinois University concluded that MSG causes fertility problems.


What can I do?
Avoid it. It’s easy. Check out labels and ask at restaurants.


Alcohol
Remarkably enough, Washington University in St. Louis, found that “intoxicating doses” of alcohol 24 hours before sexual intercourse, reduces fertility by up to 50%.


What can I do?
This should go without saying, but…do not use excessive drinking as a form of birth control! Once again, the old adage—everything in moderation.


Household Soaps, Deodorants and Antibacterial Products—even Room Deodorizers
Antibacterial products account for over $1 billion in sales annually. Triclosan and triclocarban is found in 76% of all liquid soap sold in stores and is also added to toothpaste, mouthwash, cosmetics, fabrics, and plastic kitchenware. Triclocarban is a common additive in antibacterial bar soap and deodorant. Dr. Dan Chang, University of California, Davis, says that he doesn’t want to cause a panic, but “the public should be aware of some of the concerns” such as that those two products affect the sex hormones and interfere with our nervous system. For all the potential good an antibacterial soap should provide, according the Dr. Chang, its long-term toxicity out weighs its potential benefits. Actually, in 2005, the FDA, not known for its liberal leanings, concluded that antibacterial soaps in use by the general public, do not prevent illness any better than ordinary soaps, but is a contributing factor in the rise of resistant bacteria. In case you wonder if these antibacterial toxins really end up in our blood systems, a recent CDC study detected triclosan in the urine of 75% of Americans aged 6 and older.


What can I do?
Get rid of all products that use triclosan and triclocarban (TCC’s). Get rid of all antibacterial soaps and cleaning products—they don’t help protect you or your family from any illness. Normal soaps are just as effective and do not have harmful side effects. Also, try alternative cleaning products like white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda instead of chemical cleaners.


Household paints and glues and even printer inks
Paints, varnishes, thinners, even electronics, use glycol ethers and they have been found to reduce fertility in women and decrease semen quality in men.


What can I do?
When you are trying to get pregnant, avoid spending time around paints, glues, and inks. Check out Lauerson and Bouchez’s classic book, Getting Pregnant, for more information.


Formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens
Formaldehyde (also known as formalin) reduces fertility, and is implicated in endometriosis and miscarriage. It is found in shampoos, cosmetics, construction materials, cleaning products, glues used to make carpet, glues in particle board, paper products, plastic products…just to name a few. Phthalates, used in personal care products such as lotions, deodorants, and hair color products disrupt ovulation. Parabens, used as a preservative in cosmetics and hormone creams, as well as in foods and pharmaceutical products, also interfere with normal hormone function and reduce fertility.


What can I do?
Read labels. There are alternatives. We are fortunate in the United States to have many organic and natural alternative products that do not include these toxins.


Disinfection by-products of water treatment
The water disinfection process involves treating water with chlorine gas after it has been filtered. Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids are naturally occurring byproducts of the water disinfection process. And they are highly detrimental to fertility. Most water treatment plants keep these to a level currently believed safe by the EPA.


What can I do?
Nothing. Just hope that the EPA standards are high enough not to affect us over the long term.


Water, Water Everywhere…But Is It Safe to Drink?
On March 12, 2008, WebMD wrote, “Our water supply has a drug problem.” And this drug problem, like all drug problems, can affect fertility. Drugs such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, seizure medication, cancer treatments, pain killers, tranquilizers and cholesterol-lowering compounds have been detected in our drinking water. How? Well not all of it can be blamed on industry. Households contribute a significant share. According to researchers at the University of Arizona, “people often dispose of unused medicines by flushing them down toilets, and human excreta can contain varied incompletely metabolized medicines.” These drugs then pass intact through conventional sewage treatment facilities, into waterways, lakes and aquifers. On top of that, discarded pharmaceuticals often end up at dumps and land fills, posing a threat to underlying groundwater.


Along with pharmaceuticals, personal care products also are showing up in water. Generally these chemicals are the active ingredients or preservatives in cosmetics, toiletries or fragrances, but because they do not biodegrade easily they can have possible adverse environmental impacts. Even sun screen agents have been detected in lakes and fish. Researchers Christian G. Daughton and Thomas A. Ternes reported in the December 2000 issue of “Environmental Health Perspectives” that the amount of pharmaceuticals and personal care products entering the environment annually is about equal to the amount of pesticides used each year.


Although no one knows exactly what the long term effects of these drugs will have on human health, according to Gord Miller, Ontario, Canada’s environmental commissioner, “Sewage treatment plants aren’t designed to remove them.” Why don’t we know more about the quality of our drinking water? In 2008, Martha Mendoza of Associated Press reported that, “When water providers find pharmaceuticals in drinking water, they rarely tell the public. When researchers make the same discoveries, they usually don’t identify the cities involved. There are plenty of reasons offered for the secrecy: concerns about national security, fears of panic, a feeling that the public will not understand — even confidentiality agreements.” Of course, utilities do not want to scare consumers. Unfortunately, however, most consumers are already worried. Transparency regarding what we are ingesting and putting on our bodies’ is always better, in the long run, than secrecy.


What can I do?
The best you can do is to consider a high-grade charcoal filter, at least for your tap water and ice-maker. If you can afford it, have a whole house filter installed to reduce your exposure while brushing teeth, washing up, and bathing. Keep in mind that a whole house filter does not take the place of a filter at your tap, due to the strength of flow required to supply a whole house. According to an Associated Press release, about 40% of bottled water is just tap water. Therefore, use your own filtered water in a safe container of your choice.


Properly dispose of drugs and antibiotics: don’t flush them down the toilet—they just end up back in your tap. Take advantage of your local pharmaceutical take-back program (www.takebacknetwork.com).


Stop falling for the marketing hype—boycott products with the antibiotic triclosan in them.


Cut back on “factory meat” and go organic; non-organic meat, such as beef, pork, lamb live on a diet of antibiotics and hormones which end up in our water supply and in our bodies—and which affect our fertility.


Consider other methods of birth control; 85% of the estrogen in birth control pills goes right through you into the toilet.


Check out your local water supply. Do they regularly test for these pharmaceuticals and chemicals? How does the quality of your tap water compare with other communities and large cities?


Where do we go from here?
To date more than 82,000 chemicals have been registered for use in the United States to be used as components of products ranging from pesticides to plastics, from detergents to cosmetics. Most of these chemicals were not part of our lives 50 years ago. Today they can easily be measured in our drinking water (including bottled water), our soil, our food, the air we breathe, and even in our tissues and blood stream. While pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to test their drugs for effects on human health, according to Jon Luoma of Stanford University, “there is no requirement that chemical industry manufacturers test their products (other than new kinds of pesticides and some food additives) for effects on human health before commercial introduction.” The result is that more than 85 percent of those 82,000 synthetic chemicals registered have never been assessed for their effects on human health. Whereas many of these compounds may be harmless, a significant number have already been found to be toxic—after we have been using them for years. In other words, we are all part of a very large experiment—we pay a great deal of money to be the guinea pigs for consumer products companies.


In all probability your medical doctor is not going to be able to help you much. He or she is taught little, if anything, in medical school about environmental and chemical threats to fertility. That is why they are not able to ask the right questions about chemical or environmental exposures their patients may face. And from what little they do know, their only answer will be to avoid the most common toxins—don’t smoke, don’t eat fish from contaminated waters, etc.


The pervasive nature of environmental contaminants within our food supply, our over-use of pharmaceuticals that end up in our water supply, and our dependence upon toxins in our manufacturing processes, do not have medical solutions. There could be a political solution, if we wanted our government to micromanage our lives—an unpalatable solution at best.


We live in a great country that places a high value on individualism and freedom. As Americans, we do not want our lives over-regulated. Therefore, it is up to each of us, individually, to make our own lifestyle decisions. If giving birth to your own baby is your dream, then you owe it to yourself, your baby, and future generations to help clean up our environment, including our consumer products. Only you can help reduce the common use of toxins that take away the ability of future generations (your children and grandchildren) to be fertile and make it difficult for them to realize their dreams of parenthood. Reconnect with your FertileSpirit™, that fertile ground within all of us in which the seeds of possibilities grow. Support those companies that produce products free of dangerous toxins. Support manufacturing plants that do not contaminate either our ground or our bodies with substances that are harmful. Americans have a choice. If we choose wisely, capitalism will work diligently to develop more eco-friendly and human-friendly products at cost-effective prices. We all need to work together toward a world which values good health and well-being, peace and harmony. And it all starts at home. In fact, it all starts with you.


Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in women’s and men’s health and reproductive wellness. He is the Founder and Director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers www.FertileSpirit.com and the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com.

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From the dawn of time, the desire to bear a child has been so deeply imbedded in women that as biological clocks tick and no child is conceived, women and their partners often spend years in medical diagnostics trying to create the child their heart is longing for.


The treatment of infertility with acupuncture and Chinese medicine dates back thousands of years. Ancient and time-tested, acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been proven to improve fertility rates for both men and women, increase healthy pregnancy outcomes, and unlock unlimited potential for health and healing through childbirth and post-partum.


The April 2002 issue of the medical journal Fertility and Sterility published controlled studies that demonstrated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and Oriental medicine for enhancing fertility rates and pregnancy outcomes.


Dr. Lifang Liang, as well as researchers from Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, also reviewed various studies and concluded that acupuncture helps to:
• Improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs
• Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase the thickness of the uterine lining, which improves the chances of an ovum implanting on the uterine wall
• Relax the patient thus reducing anxiety, stress, and the hormones that are secreted during stressful situations that can significantly decrease fertility
• Prevent the uterus from contracting
• Strengthen the immune system
• Improve semen to create better quality and quantity of embryos
• Normalize hormone and endocrine systems that regulate ovulation, especially in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles
• Positively affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis which plays a key role in fertility
• Decrease chances of miscarriage
• Regulate menstrual cycle


Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work together to restore the body to optimal functioning. Acupuncture needles increase the flow of blood, oxygen, and energy through the body while herbs are natural energetic substances that gently correct underlying deficiencies and clear obstructions.


Acupuncture and herbal medicine should be a fundamental part of any fertility program. The herbal formulas for women need to be adjusted at different times during a woman’s cycle. Treatment plans need to be individualized, with the ultimate goal of restoring hormonal harmony, rebalancing the body’s energies, and preparing a woman’s body to nurture a child from conception through birth of a healthy baby.


Many articles have been written in medical journals as well as the mainstream press about the peer-reviewed research showing the relationship between stress levels and infertility. One of acupuncture’s most powerful healing mechanisms is its ability to mitigate the effects of stress on our bodies. Through acupuncture treatments women often find the inner peace and comfort zone that allows them to conceive naturally. In fact, the most successful approach is to treat couples experiencing fertility challenges with natural herbs and dietary recommendations plus acupuncture and essential oils to find their spiritual calmness within. This is not “spiritual” in the religious sense, but it is rather a sense of the overall well-being of the mind, body and spirit. The body becomes balanced—physically, energetically, hormonally—and thus naturally provides good health and fertility.


The combination of acupuncture, herbal and diet therapy, plus life-style modifications, relaxation and stress reduction techniques, all based on the time-tested methods of Chinese medicine, enhance fertility and a healthy pregnancy. There is also a fertility enhancing set of treatments specifically designed for men to boost sperm count and sperm quality as well as a man’s vitality and overall health.


Another all natural approach to enhancing fertility is to attend a “Fertility Retreat”. In the Chicago area, FertileSpirit Retreats are offered on a regular basis. FertileSpirit Retreats are based upon the tenets of Chinese medicine—the embracing of the positives in life and the releasing of negatives. They are transformational events that promote the healing process of the body, mind, and spirit. Opening intuition, embracing forgiveness, celebrating gratitude, and letting go of doubts, often releases the body to accept the spirit of the baby that so wants to be born into a loving family. Participants are involved in a variety of non-threatening, uplifting, and nurturing activities. Women are taught relaxation techniques that help them nurture their souls to encourage fertility and thus help them reconnect to their human spirit as a woman and a mother.


Unfortunately, most couples seek out natural ways to enhance their fertility only after they have exhausted their resources on western medical fertility treatments. But today there are so many avenues open to couples experiencing fertility challenges that do not include massive doses of pharmaceuticals or surgical procedures. One of those avenues that provide more than just blind hope is to turn to acupuncture and Chinese medicine, especially combined with a fertility retreat, to help them naturally conceive the healthy child they have ached for.


One does not need to fully understand how a therapy works in order for it to be a beneficial therapy. The millions of healthy babies conceived and brought to full term through the use of acupuncture and Chinese medicine is confirmation of its effectiveness and safety. There are minimal risks and magnificent possible rewards.


Remember, the darkest moments on your journey are just lessons to be learned and moments to be filled with gratitude for moving you closer to your destiny as a loving Mom or Dad of that child meant just for you.


Ian Wahl, LAc, DAc, CH is the founder and director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers. If you would like more information about their fertility or pregnancy programs or to register for one of their FertileSpirit Retreats, please call 847 392-7901 or visit them on the web at www.FertileSpirit.com.

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How does enhanced blood flow also enhance fertility?
Blood delivers nutrients to the body. A decrease in nutrients affects the body’s hormonal balance and can result in fatigue, both of which affect fertility and conception. Our Integrated Dynamic Fertility program^TM enhances blood circulation, balances the hormone and endocrine system, and boosts energy.


Blood transports oxygen to the cells, tissues, and organs. Our protocols facilitate this transport and thus increase reproductive health and general well-being. Blood performs “house cleaning” by removing carbon dioxide and other waste products from the cells, tissues, and organs of the body. Our protocols also facilitate this “house cleaning” function. By assisting in the removal of toxins from your body, we increase your general well-being as well as your reproductive health.


Blood transports hormones from the endocrine system to every cell and organ. Hormonal imbalances are the primary cause of unexplained infertility. Integrated Dynamic Fertility™ enhances blood flow and harmonizes the balance of hormones and their circulation throughout the body, thus also enhancing ovarian function, balancing FSH levels, and increasing the likelihood of conception.


Oftentimes, hormonal imbalances and disturbed blood flow are misdiagnosed as “early menopause”. Our protocols reduce those symptoms by guiding the body towards health and balance, thus reducing vaginal dryness, night-sweats, and problems with cervical mucus.
Blood carries the primary defense mechanisms to defend the body against foreign organisms. It is key to the immune systems function. Our treatments improve immune function and increase fertility.


Blood’s white cells defend the body against infection. As we improve your immune function, you notice injuries and infections heal more quickly.


Although the clotting factors of blood are critical to our survival, severe PMS and menstrual pain can also result from that clotting process. Improving blood flow through our treatments, results in reduced pain, regular cycles, and reproductive well-being.


Blood also is involved in body temperature homeostasis. If you have cold extremities, you may be experiencing a circulation problem. If the blood flow to the reproductive organs has been compromised, then conception will be difficult. Our treatments improve that blood flow and help resolve circulation issues. We incorporate Acupuncture and herbal medicine along with structural balancing, self-massage, breathing techniques, therapeutic-grade essential oils, healing visualizations and spiritual awareness practices, in a series of protocols to provide a comprehensive approach to guide you on your journey toward motherhood and re-discovering your FertileSpirit^TM. And it all starts with proper blood flow.

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Up to 40% of couples experiencing fertility problems have factors that involve both the man and the woman. Basically there are three different major factors in male infertility—1) not enough sperm, known as “low sperm count”; 2) motility insufficiency, meaning that the sperm doesn’t move forward as it should; and 3) the sperm is shaped abnormally, also known as poor sperm morphology. If the sperm isn’t shaped right, it can’t penetrate the egg.


Although up to 200 million sperm can be ejaculated at a time, only a few dozen actually reach the egg. And then they have to work their way into fertilizing the egg. Believe it or not, sperm counts have dropped 50% in the last 30 to 40 years. And sperm counts can be further lowered by factors such as stress, poor diet, prescription drugs (including blood pressure medications, pain meds, etc.); over-the-counter antihistamines; alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana.


Below are some Myths and Facts about Male Fertility:
Myth: I eat really well and get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food.
Fact: We need to supplement our diets. We cannot physically eat enough food to get all the vitamins and nutrition we need. Our food isn’t as rich in nutrition as it may have been in the past. That includes foods certified as organic. A multivitamin provides selenium, zinc and folic acid. These are nutrients we need for optimal sperm count and function. The additional vitamin C and E contained in a multivitamin may also help protect sperm from damage. The best vitamins are those that are made from all natural ingredients, without fillers—and they are not usually the cheapest ones on the shelf.


Myth: Even obese people get pregnant, so weight doesn’t affect sperm.
Fact: Too much or too little body fat disrupts production of reproductive hormones, which can reduce your sperm count and increase your percentage of abnormal sperm. You’re most likely to produce a lot of high-quality sperm if you maintain a healthy weight.


Myth: Starbuck’s kills sperm.
Fact: Caffeine doesn’t kill sperm. It does, however, slow your swimmers. So, it is better to be safe than sorry and drink decaf. Or better yet, temporarily lay off the lattes.


Myth: Soy is a good, healthy food for men to eat when they are trying to make a baby.
Fact: Just the opposite is true. Studies have shown that soy and isoflavones are directly linked to lower sperm concentration. The isoflavones in soy mimic estrogen—not exactly what a man needs to be ingesting when trying to be virile and make a baby. Check out the ingredients in any processed foods, protein bars, and packaged foods. You will be surprised at the how many are made with soy and soy lecithin.


Myth: Smoking doesn’t affect fertility—people have been smoking for centuries.
Fact: The sperm of men who smoke may be misshapen and may move more slowly than those of nonsmokers. Smoking can also damage your sperm’s DNA. Experts suspect such damage could even affect fetal growth and development and increase a child’s chance of having certain health problems, including cancer. And chewing tobacco isn’t safe either — it also may cause low sperm counts and damage. As if that weren’t enough, tobacco use can increase erectile dysfunction. Research shows men who both smoke and drink


Myth: A few beers won’t affect my fertility.
Fact: Heavy drinking reduces the quality and quantity of sperm. A man should limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day. And the combination of tobacco and alcohol is particularly harmful.


Myth: Over-the-counter medicines don’t affect sperm—or the FDA wouldn’t approve them.
Fact: Many over-the-counter medications can temporarily reduce your fertility. If you take medication to control a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, etc., be sure to ask your doctor how your treatment may affect sperm development. The Mayo Clinic recommends you avoid cimetidine (Tagamet, others), a stomach-acid-suppressing drug available without a prescription. Instead, use ranitidine (Zantac, others), famotidine (Pepcid, others) or nizatidine (Axid), which decreases stomach acid without affecting fertility. I would recommend you see a natural health practitioner (acupuncturist, herbalist, naturopath, homeopath, etc.) for treatments that are gentle, safe, effective, and do not affect fertility.
alcohol have lower sperm counts and motility than do men with either habit alone.


Myth: Since college I have cut back on smoking dope, so my sperm should be OK.
Fact: Avoid any use of recreational drugs. Any marijuana decreases sperm density and motility and increases the number of abnormal sperm. Even small amounts of cocaine and opiates contribute to erectile dysfunction, and amphetamines decrease sex drive.


Myth: If steroids make me look like a strong virile man, they must be great for sperm.
Fact: Anabolic steroids, usually taken illegally, can shrink your testicles and drastically reduce fertility. Testosterone supplements also decrease fertility.


Myth: I work better under stress. In fact, sex is a good stress reliever for me.
Fact: Stress produces “stress hormones” which in turn interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperm. Besides, stress can also impair sexual function.


Myth: Personal computers don’t affect sperm quality.
Fact: Stay cool with this answer. Increased scrotal temperature lowers sperm count. Experts know that hot work environments, tight-fitting underpants, prolonged sitting, and use of laptop computers can all increase scrotal temperature. So be cool and keep your scrotum from getting too warm.


Myth: Cell phones usage doesn’t screw up sperm anymore than Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper.
Fact: Cell phone usage decreases sperm quality. The January issue of Fertility and Sterility (Vol.89, No.1,Pg.124) published another study showing that sperm count, motility, morphology, and viability are all significantly decreased by cell phone usage. In fact, the longer the duration of daily cell phone usage, the greater the decrease in sperm quality. The sugar and sugar substitutes in soft drinks may not be healthy, but they don’t seem to affect sperm count.


Myth: Real men when “under the weather” are still just as virile “under the sheets”.
Fact: Catching a cold can cool off sperm production. Any illness that causes a fever can affect sperm production and sperm quality. But it won’t affect fertility for a couple of months, since it takes sperm 70 to 75 days to mature.


Myth: Changing exercise habits aren’t going to affect a man’s fertility.
Fact: Men who exercise to exhaustion show a temporary change in hormone levels and a drop in sperm quality.


Myth: Bicycling keeps my heart healthy, my blood pumping, and my stress level down—so I know it is good for me and I don’t want to stop.
Fact: Bicycling isn’t inherently bad. But biking can take a bite out of your fertility. Bicycling can sabotage the male reproductive system. Sitting on a bicycle saddle for more than 30 minutes at a time — especially if you also wear tight fitting bicycle shorts — may raise your scrotal temperature and affect sperm production. In addition, prolonged cycling can cause genital numbness — a sign of damage to delicate nerves and arteries. Choose a seat that’s not too hard or narrow, and make sure it’s adjusted to minimize pressure on your perineum. Take frequent rests while biking. Better yet, if you are actively trying to have a baby, avoid biking for a while.


Myth: I don’t work around toxins, so my sperm isn’t affected by toxic chemicals.
Fact: Pollution and our everyday environmental toxins affect sperm. According to the Mayo Clinic, experts think environmental toxins may have something to do with falling sperm counts. One culprit may be estrogen-like chemicals widely used in agriculture and industry. These substances are found in places ranging from drinking water to household products. Other environmental toxins that might affect male fertility are growth hormones used in livestock.


Myth: There is no seasonal cycle to sperm counts.
Fact: There is a reason for the season. Believe it or not, sperm counts are higher in the winter and lower in the summer. This may be because cooler temperatures are associated with increased sperm production. Or because the heat of the summer affects the temperature of the scrotum. However, experts aren’t sure that time of year makes a significant difference in fertility.


Myth: Heat may affect sperm, but occasional use of my hot tub won’t do anything.
Fact: Sperm hates hot tubs. In fact, to maximize the quality and quantity of your sperm, avoid hot tubs and baths, period. Saunas and steam rooms have a similar effect.


Myth: The personal lubricant we use is the one that doesn’t affect sperm.
Fact: Personal lubricants, lotions and even saliva can interfere with sperm motility.


Myth: What time we make love doesn’t affect pregnancy.
Fact: Timing actually is important. Sperm counts are higher in the morning than at other times of day. Actually, making love in the morning is a much more productive time for conception. Nighttime is convenient because the couple is home together and free from the stress of work. However, a couple is also more exhausted at night. According to Chinese medicine, the nighttime is Yin time. Yin energy is slower. Sleep is a Yin activity. So, at night, as the Yin energy increases, we slow down and go to sleep. This happens to the energy within the sperm and egg also. The morning is when the body is most rested, refreshed, and rejuvenated from a good night’s sleep. Yang energy is now increasing and thus the Qi and Blood circulation are at their best for the sperm and egg. Of course, if time is short in the mornings and getting ready for work is stressful, the extra stress of the mornings will not create a beneficial situation for conception. Although mornings may be the best time for conception, if they are too stressful for you and your partner, evening time will work better for you.


Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with help from western fertility treatments, it takes a couple working together and in harmony to bring about successful motherhood and fatherhood. Women trying to conceive a child are more than just their wombs and their partners are more than just sperm donors. Everyone has a Fertile Spirit. Some people just need to learn how to get in touch with theirs.


Ian Wahl, LAc, DA, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in women’s health and reproductive wellness. He is the Director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers (www.FertileSpirit.com) and the Wahls of Wellness (www.WahlsOfWellness.com).

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