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Fertility Nutrition Men's Fertility

Are You Getting Enough Calcium to Get Pregnant?

Hethir Rodriguez - Certified Herbalist and Nutritionist
July 24, 2021
Reviewed by Christine Traxler, MD

You may think you are getting enough of this bone-building nutrient, but is your body actually absorbing it?

Calcium is famous for strong bones and healthy teeth, but did you also know it is essential for getting pregnant?

Two different studies have shown calcium’s role in conception. One study shows that calcium is a vital ingredient in the process of triggering growth in embryos. The more calcium in the surrounding fluid, the better.

The second study focused on what triggers sperm to abruptly convert their swimming style from a slow and steady swim of side to side motion, to a whip-cracking snap that thrusts them into the egg!

What they found was that when the sperm arrived in the alkaline environment of the reproductive tract; it triggers the tails whip-like motion. Minerals (calcium being one of the most important) help to create an alkaline environment in the reproductive tract, the nutrient that sperm soaks up, which creates the thrusting towards the egg is calcium.

Long study short, calcium is necessary for conception, a healthy reproductive system, healthy baby, and birth.

Preparing for Pregnancy with Calcium

If the above studies were not enough reasons to be taking calcium, here are some more:
Have you ever heard of the old saying “one tooth for each baby”? I first heard this saying from a friend of mine that was showing me the tooth she lost during her pregnancy. The theory is this- when you get pregnant the baby gets first dibs on everything in your system, calcium included. women who are not getting enough calcium have their calcium leached from them and bad teeth is the outcome. No studies to prove that one but something to think about!

The Best Calcium Sources From Food

The best way to get calcium is from your food. It takes some focus to get the 1000mg a day from foods but it can be done. Many sites and people recommend fortified foods to get your calcium but that is ridiculous. The type of calcium in those products is crap and your body will not absorb it. The best way to get your daily calcium is from the following foods:

Raw milk – 1 quart has 900mg of food-based calcium in it. If you are following a Nutrient-Dense Fertility Diet, you are getting your 1000mg of calcium a day.

Yogurt– calcium 225 mg per 8oz. I love redwood Hill Farm Goat Yogurt, whole of course

Cream of broccoli soup– 821mg calcium – Make your own at home with organic ingredients.

Figs, figs and figs – 10 dried figs= 300mg calcium

Spinach– What about spinach you ask…? One cup of cooked spinach contains 100mg, although only five per cent of this may be absorbed. This is due to the high concentration of oxalates, a compound in spinach that reduces calcium absorption. By contrast, one cup of cooked broccoli contains about 45mg of calcium, but the absorption from broccoli is much higher at around 50-60 per cent.

Canned salmon– 1/2c of canned salmon contains 400mg of calcium

Almond butter– 2Tbl.= 90mg

Other foods rich in calcium: sesame seeds, turnip greens, bok choy, kale, blackstrap molasses, and white beans.

Calcium Supplements
In reality, there are going to be some days you don’t get the best foods in your body, but calcium is still very important, so my favorite source of food-based, absorbable calcium that you should take every day in addition to the diet suggestions above: Fertilica Coral Calcium Plus

P.S. Do not take Tums as your calcium supplement. It is not a good quality source of calcium. It is hard to assimilate and absorb calcium from this source.

Calcium Robbers

Coffee– If you drink more than 2 cups of coffee or caffeinated tea, or more than two sodas, increase your daily intake of calcium an extra 200-300mg.

Oxalates and Phytates in Veggies – Due to the low absorption of calcium from veggies due to the naturally occurring oxalates and phytates, take an extra 300mg a day of calcium.

Salt– If you consume more than 2,400mg of sodium a day, get yourself an extra 100mg of calcium per 1000mg of sodium above 2400mg.

Calcium Helpers

Vitamin D– Get 15 minutes of sunlight a day.

Magnesium– get around 420mg a day with your calcium. If you are eating the food sources above or using the calcium supplements, I recommended there is no need to supplement additional mag.

Prebiotics– The food for probiotics has been shown in studies to improve calcium absorption by 20% and significantly improve bone mineralization.
FOS powder can be sprinkled in foods or beverages; it has no taste and dissolves easily.

References

  • Steinhardt, R. A., Epel, D., Carroll, E. J., & Yanagimachi, R. (1974). Is calcium ionophore a universal activator for unfertilised eggs? Nature, 252(5478), 41-43. doi:10.1038/252041a0 Retrieved from: https://www.nature.com/articles/252041a0
  • Jensen, M. B., Bjerrum, P. J., Jessen, T. E., Nielsen, J. E., Joensen, U. N., Olesen, I. A., . . . Jørgensen, N. (2011). Vitamin D is positively associated with sperm motility and increases intracellular calcium in human spermatozoa. Human Reproduction, 26(6), 1307-1317. doi:10.1093/humrep/der059 Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/26/6/1307/2913983
  • Aitken, R. J., Irvine, S., & Kelly, R. W. (1986). Significance of intracellular calcium and cyclic adenosine 3,5-monophosphate in the mechanisms by which prostaglandins influence human sperm function. Reproduction, 77(2), 451-462. doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0770451 Retrieved from: https://rep.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rep/77/2/jrf_77_2_017.xml

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About the Author

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Hethir Rodriguez - Certified Herbalist and Nutritionist

Hethir Rodriguez is the Founder and President of Natural Fertility Info.com. She has been a Certified Herbalist for over 19 years, holds a Bachelors degree (BS) in Nutrition Sciences. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Hethir has written and co-authored over 1200+ articles on Fertility; and her research, articles, and guides have been read by over 40,000,000 people. Hethir has dedicated her life to empowering women with to take control of their health with natural therapies.

5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally

  • Learn the 5 different areas to focus on for optimal fertility health
  • Learn how to support hormonal health with herbs and essential oils
  • Tips on transitioning to a whole food fertility diet.
  • Self-care therapies to support your reproductive health

@NaturalFertilityInfo

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☕Reproductive Support Tea contains herbs that support, tone, and nourish the female reproductive system while supporting hormone balance.

It’s a soothing and effective fertility tea that provides just the right mixture of beneficial fertility herbs designed to help:

1️⃣ Nourish the uterus*

2️⃣ Support fallopian tube health.*

3️⃣ Help maintain normal ovarian function.*

4️⃣ Encourage normal uterine health.*

5️⃣ Support hormonal balance.

Type ‘TEA’ in the comments below if you would like 10% off your first order or Reproductive Support Tea and I will DM you a discount link. 👇👇

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👇3 Ways To Naturally Support Ovulation 👇

Lack of ovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility.

BUT you can help support your body to regularly ovulate again when hormonal health is found.

Here are some steps you can take to support yourself….

1️⃣ Eat healthy fats like avocado, chia, flax, nuts & seeds

2️⃣ Eat an abundance of whole foods 🥦🍉🥗🍇

3️⃣ Increase circulation to the reproductive system through exercise, Self Fertility Massage and castor oil packs.

👇 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the steps you can take to support your fertility cycle. 👇

#ovulation #periodhealth #naturalfertility #fertilitytips #fertilitydiet

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🌱 Ashwagandha is one of my favorite herbs for stress support while trying to conceive. 

It is easy to use and the calming effects can be felt pretty quickly after starting the herb. 

➡️ The hormonal support results take a bit longer, as with any hormone supportive herb, but is wonderful for both women and men who are experiencing high stress and hormone imbalances. 

Type ASH in the comments below and I will share which Ashwagandha I recommend and how to use it for fertility support. 👇👇

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A: Swipe left for our answer...

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⭐ 3 Benefits of Vitex for Fertility…

1️⃣ Regulates hormones: Vitex, also known as chasteberry, is known to regulate the production of hormones such as luteinizing hormone and prolactin, which can help to balance out estrogen and progesterone levels, promoting fertility.

2️⃣ Improves ovulation: Vitex can help to regulate the menstrual cycle and improve ovulation in women with irregular cycles or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

3️⃣ Decreases symptoms of PMS: Vitex can also help to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as cramps, breast tenderness, and mood swings, which can improve overall health and well-being.

Want to know which Vitex I recommend and how to use it? Type VITEX in the comments below 👇

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🌱 Red raspberry leaf has been used by midwives for fertility for generations. Some of the most well known benefits of raspberry leaf for reproductive support include… 

1️⃣ Regulating menstrual cycles: Red raspberry leaf is believed to help balance hormones and regulate menstrual cycles, making it easier for women to conceive.

2️⃣ Strengthening the uterus: Red raspberry leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron and vitamin C, which are believed to help strengthen the uterus and prepare it for pregnancy.

3️⃣ Improving egg quality: Some studies suggest that red raspberry leaf may improve egg quality and increase the chances of conception.

4️⃣ Reducing morning sickness: Red raspberry leaf is also believed to help reduce the symptoms of morning sickness, which can be especially beneficial for women who are trying to conceive.

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🧪 Xenohormones are chemicals that mimic the effects of hormones in the body. 

They can disrupt the endocrine system, which controls the production, transport, and function of hormones. 🚫

This can lead to a variety of health problems, including fertility issues. 

Examples of xenohormones include certain pesticides, plastics, and phthalates. 🕯️

Exposure to these chemicals can affect the production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, which play key roles in fertility. 

Xenohormones can also affect ovulation and implantation of a fertilized egg, leading to infertility. 

It would be best to avoid these chemicals as much as possible. 

👇👇To  learn more about which chemicals to avoid and which products are most important to replace type in ‘TOXIC’ in the comments below to get my guide to Creating a Healthy Home for Fertility Pregnancy & Family 👇👇

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5 Steps you can take to help support your fertility naturally…. 👇

1️⃣ Cleanse and prepare the body for conception

2️⃣ Nourish the body with fertility supportive foods

3️⃣ Protect and remove any substances that are causing harm

4️⃣ Learn how to fertility chart and read your monthly cycle

5️⃣ Add lifestyle habits that help to support fertility health

🌼 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the 5 steps. 👇

#naturalfertility #fertilitytips #gettingpregnant #hormonehealth #hormonalhealth

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The body is always giving us feedback to what is happening inside. How regularly you go to the bathroom shares a lot about your digestive health.... as does a bloated belly or gas. Your period or monthly cycle can share a lot about your hormonal state. Your skin can share how your liver is doing. And so on. What have you learned from listening to your body?

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🕯️Chemicals in candles, such as paraffin and phthalates, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned. 

Some research suggests that certain VOCs, such as phthalates, may disrupt hormone balance by mimicking estrogen and other hormones in the body. 🚫

It’s always a good idea to choose candles made from natural materials, such as beeswax or soy wax, which produce fewer VOCs. 🐝

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5 Steps you can take to help support your fertility naturally…. 👇

1️⃣ Cleanse and prepare the body for conception

2️⃣ Nourish the body with fertility supportive foods

3️⃣ Protect and remove any substances that are causing harm

4️⃣ Learn how to fertility chart and read your monthly cycle

5️⃣ Add lifestyle habits that help to support fertility health

🌼 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the 5 steps. 👇

#naturalfertility #fertilitytips #gettingpregnant #hormonehealth #hormonalhealth

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Preparing for pregnancy is one of the best steps you can take for a healthy pregnancy and child. Here are some steps to help you get started…. 👇

1️⃣ Eat a diet high in fiber. More fruits and veggies

Fiber helps the body to get rid of excess hormones and fruits and veggies are packed with fiber. They also are very hydrating and have lots of nutrients. All are useful for someone with heavy cycles. 

2️⃣ Learn about your fertility cycle through tracking and charting

Fertility charting will help you to understand your current hormonal state, when or if you are ovulating and other information about your cycle that will help to bring clarity to your fertility path. 

3️⃣ Fertility Cleanse 1-2x per year

The first phase of the Fertility Cleanse is a great way to help support the liver in it’s natural ability to get rid of excess hormones. The second phase focuses on the uterus and helping the uterus to cleanse and increase circulation.

👇 To learn more about the Fertility Cleansing type CLEANSE in the comments below and I will send you my Guide To Fertility Cleansing. 👇 

#hormonehealth #hormonalhealth #periodhealth #naturalfertility #fertilitytips #fertilitydiet

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💡It can be completely normal for your menstrual cycle to vary in length slightly from month to month! 

Ovulation may come a day before or a day later even in normal some cycles. 

We actually expect to see natural variations between menstrual cycles. 

Early ovulation can be concerning, however, when/if it consistently happens. 

➡️ If you would like to learn what you can do to help balance a short follicular phase type EARLY in the comments below and I will send you a link to my guide….👇👇

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Are you experiencing fibroids? 👇 Type FIBROID in the comments below and I will send you a link to my natural guide. 🌱

#fibroid #fibroids #naturalfertility #fibroidfertility #fibroiddiet

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Intimacy may not be something at the top of your mind with everything else you are doing to TTC. But connection with your partner and you feeling.... good is important. Here are some natural ways to support libido if the stress of baby making has made things tense in the bedroom.

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When in doubt get it checked out. 

One of the most common reasons I suggest women to see their doctors is when they are experiencing  a heavy period that doesn’t stop after 5-7 days and has heavy flow. 

There are many different reasons this could be happening, but we first want to make sure it isn’t something that requires medical assistance before going on to healthy lifestyle support.

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Ovarian cysts are more common than you think, and there are ways you can support your body naturally. Type CYSTS in the comments below and I will send you the natural steps you can take to support your self.

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Over the past 20+ years that I have been an herbalist I have seen what herbs can do to help turn someone’s health around. 

When it comes to fertility there are a lot of different herbs that you can use. But they all have different actions. There is no one herb that fits all for fertility. 

That is one of the reasons I make herbal blends & formulas. 

Three of my favorite herbs are vitex, maca and shatavari, but they each have different effects on the body. 

So the key to success with fertility herbs is to first figure out what is going on in your body and then you can pick the right herbal formula for you. 

You can do this by charting your fertility (I have a lot of posts about fertility charting on my feed as well as my website) and also paying attention to your period. 🩸

To learn more about my herbal formulas for fertility support type HERBS in the comments below and I’ll share a link to my formulas 👇👇

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Jan 24

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👇READ THIS if you have a regular period but still haven’t gotten pregnant…. 

The answer is YES. The menstruation phase of a monthly fertility cycle is only one stage of the cycle. 

There are many other times of the month that are even more important like: 

🌸 Follicular phase: When the lining is growing and follicles are maturing

🌸 Ovulation: When the egg is released

🌸 Implantation: When the fertilized egg implants

🌸 Luteal phase: The time period between ovulation and the next cycle needs to be long enough for implantation to occur. 

Wondering how to start supporting your fertility naturally? 

👇 To learn more on how to support your fertility naturally, type STEPS in the comments below to join my free mini-course - 5 Steps To Improve Your Fertility Naturally, where I go into detail on each of the steps you can take to support your fertility cycle. 👇

#periods #periodhealth #naturalfertility #fertilitytips #fertilitydiet

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Endometriosis can impact fertility and having a healthy pregnancy. 

Preparing ahead of time and taking the steps can make a big difference. 

Type ENDO in the comments below if you would like my natural guide to supporting your fertility regardless of having endometriosis....💛👇
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