90 Days of Opportunity: The Cycle of an Egg
Many women who have trouble getting pregnant are told by their doctors that their eggs are not healthy, or that their eggs are “old”. They’re given limited options, such as finding an egg donor, IVF, or adoption. But what most women don’t know is that egg health is not solely dependent on some abstract biological clock. There are things any woman can do to help support the health of the ovaries and eggs — thus improving her chances of healthy conception.
The 90 days of an egg’s journey toward ovulation provides a window of opportunity to affect the health of that particular egg.
During this 90-day period the egg is changing and preparing for ovulation. At this time, eggs are affected by the conditions of their environment. Factors that contribute to the egg’s health include:
- Blood Flow
- Oxygenation
- Hormonal Balance
- Nutritional intake
- Stress
Let’s look at each factor closer and examine how we can have an impact each one…
Blood Flow and Proper Oxygenation
The flow of oxygen-rich blood to the ovaries is essential for good egg health. Researcher Jonathan Van Blerkom at the University of Colorado Boulder examined several studies and concluded that “embryos with the highest implantation potential originate from follicles that are well-vascularized and oxygenated.” Blood flow can decrease from lack of exercise, dehydration, and thick blood. To increase blood flow to the ovaries, follow these suggestions:
- Drink at least 8 8oz. glasses of pure water every day: Dehydration can cause your blood to become thick and decrease circulation in the body, Make sure to drink purified water that is NOT bottled in plastic.
- Exercise: Find something to do that includes movement, such as tennis, walking, running, dancing, or fertility yoga. Exercise increases the blood flow in the body, brings fresh blood to all of the cells, and helps to oxygenate the blood.
- Abdominal or Fertility Massage: One of the best therapies for increasing blood flow to the reproductive system is by massaging your uterus and ovaries. Massage helps to bring fresh, oxygenated blood to the ovaries and removes old, stagnant blood. You can have a massage therapist perform abdomen massage or find a therapist who specializes in fertility or Mayan abdominal massage. You can also learn how to apply Self Fertility Massage™ and do it in the comfort of your own home. It is best to start the day after your period has ended and continue all month long, practicing at least 4 times a week. If you are currently trying to conceive, perform the massage techniques from the day after your period has ended up until ovulation.
Click here to learn more about Hethir Rodriguez’s Self Fertility Massage™ Program.
Hormonal Balance
Hormonal balance is essential for proper egg health. Due to environmental factors, stress, and our modern diets, more and more women are becoming hormonally imbalanced. When a woman’s hormonal balance is off ovulation may become irregular. An intricate hormonal symphony is at play every month in preparation and fulfillment of the fertility cycle. But there is good news: balancing your hormones is possible. Here are some ways to help balance your hormones and nourish the endocrine system.
- Cleanse the system of excess hormones
- Use the fertility superfood, Maca
- Reduce exposure to xenohormones
- If your FSH levels are high the herb Vitex (Chasteberry) has been shown to help support normal hormone levels.
Nutrition
The food we eat has a huge impact the health of our ovaries and eggs. Here are some quick food suggestions for supporting egg health:
Top foods for egg health
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Dietary and lifestyle habits that may damage egg health
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Check out the Nutrient Dense Fertility Diet for a complete guide on eating that enhances fertility and egg health.
Here are some quick food suggestions for supporting egg health:
Supplements
Take a Multivitamin
A major key to supporting egg health and preparing the uterine lining is to take a good quality multivitamin made specifically for enhancing fertility. These multivitamins have high concentrations of Folic Acid/B12, red clover, cranberry, and red raspberry. Since Synthetic multivitamins don’t have the same impact as those made from whole foods, its recommended to use something like the 100% Whole food Fertile Multi for preconception health.
Antioxidants
The ovum (egg) is one of the longest living cells in a woman’s body; as the years pass these eggs become exposed and vulnerable to free radicals on a daily basis. Taking antioxidants is one of the most important ways to enhance fertility, because they help protect eggs from free radicals. Since free radicals damage cellular health by compromising the cell’s DNA, they affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant and sustain a healthy pregnancy. They may also increase the chances of birth defects. A good fertility boosting antioxidant supplement, such as Fertilica Choice Antioxidants, removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents with optimal concentrations of Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
According to a recent study published in the journal Fertility & Sterility, “Aging and age-related pathologies are frequently associated with loss of mitochondrial function, mainly due to the accumulation of mtDNA [mitochondrial DNA] mutations and deletions.”
For this reason, women, especially those above age 35, are recommended to take mitochondrial nutrients in CoQ10.
Although there are two forms of CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10), ubiquinone and Ubiquinol, It is generally recommended to use Ubiquinol, as it is eight times more bioavailable than ubiquinone.
L-arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that has been shown to increase ovarian response, endometrial receptivity, and pregnancy rates in IVF patients who supplemented with large doses of L-arginine. (Published in Human Reproduction 1999).
Fertility Superfoods
Fertility superfoods are nutrient-dense foods that help nourish the body with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Maca
Maca is an incredible fertility superfood that helps balance hormones, but does not contain any hormones itself. Maca nourishes and balances the endocrine system, which is essential in preparing eggs for pregnancy and IVF.
Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly is a fertility superfood that helps increase egg quality and quantity. The name is attributed to its source in nature, namely, it is the jelly-like, nutrient-dense substance that only the queen bee eats. And rightly so, as those nutrients provide her with the ability to lay up to 2000 eggs per day.
It’s recommended that Royal Jelly be taken daily for at least three months before natural conception or IVF procedures begin.
*Caution: If you are allergic or think you are allergic to bees or bee products, do not take royal jelly.
FertiliGreens
Egg health is often compromised when the body is too acidic. Alkalizing the body has shown to be beneficial for fertility health. One of the best ways to alkalize one’s body is through the intake of dark leafy greens and vegetables. To ensure you’re getting a proper alkalizing dosage of the right organic produce look into the supplement: FertiliGreens.
Stress
if you are trying to improve your egg health, reducing your stress levels should be a major focus in your life. Obviously this is easier said than done, but a good place to start is by making relaxation a priority. Book some quiet time in your calendar for yourself. Do what works for you. You could:
- Go for a walk
- Take a bubble bath (my favorite)
- Cuddle up with a good book
- Get a professional massage or reflexology treatment
- Drink some relaxing herbal tea, such as chamomile, kava kava, or peppermint
- Practice meditation
- Go to therapy/psychotherapy
You could also create a ‘stress support system’ for yourself so you have a go-to plan when things get stressful. Talk to your partner about it and make sure they’re on board. Try to have these habits already in practice, so stress will not jeopardize all your other efforts to improve your egg health.
Step-By-Step Guide to Supporting Your Egg Health
Since the cycle of an egg and our window of opportunity is 90 days this guide is laid out in a 90-day cycle.
Month One
1. Fertility Cleanse
2. Take Multivitamin
3. Take Fertilica Choice Antioxidants and CoQ10 Ubiquinol
4. Royal Jelly, Maca, FertiliGreens
5. Eat the Fertility Diet
6. Apply Fertility Massage (Don’t do while menstruating)
7. Implement a Stress Reduction Plan
Month Two
1. Take Multivitamin
2. Take Fertilica Choice Antioxidants and CoQ10 Ubiquinol
3. Royal Jelly, Maca, FertiliGreens
4. Eat the Fertility Diet
5. Apply Fertility Massage (Don’t do while menstruating)
6. Exercise
7. Practice Your Stress Reduction Plan
Month Three
1. Take Multivitamin
2. Take Fertilica Choice Antioxidants and CoQ10 Ubiquinol
3. Royal Jelly, Maca, FertiliGreens
4. Eat the Fertility Diet
5. Apply Fertility Massage (Don’t do while menstruating)
6. Exercise
7. Practice Your Stress Reduction Plan
