Did you know that what you DON’T put into your body is as important for your fertility as what you do put into your body?
Just as there are nutrients that benefit and support healthy fertility, there are also anti-nutrients that can negatively impact your fertility.
Anti-nutrient: A compound or effect from something that either takes more nutrients from the body to process or takes more nutrients from the body to fight the effects from it. Basically, a compound that is causing more harm than good.
Here is a list of 5 anti-nutrients you should avoid at all costs (in no particular order, they are all very important to avoid):
1. Soy
Soy foods contain compounds which mimic estrogen in the body. Unopposed estrogen or estrogen levels that are too high can cause many fertility issues and create challenging issues for a developing fetus and growing baby. Soy foods should be avoided by both men and women, especially during preconception, pregnancy, and childhood.
There are many studies that have shown a link between consumption of soy foods lowering sperm counts in men and effecting female fertility due to the phytoestrogenic actions that soy produces. A majority of fertility issues are estrogen dominant conditions. For instance, it is strongly considered that 40-50% of infertile women have endometriosis, an estrogen dominant condition. Other common causes of fertility issues are PCOS, which is also caused by hormonal imbalance and lack of ovulation, which is another hormonally-affected condition.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that feeding 2 bottles of soy baby formula to your baby is equivalent to taking 4 birth control pills? Imagine what soy milk contains?
By consuming soy foods and exposing yourself to xenohormones, (soy is not the only estrogenic food or substance that we are exposed to) estrogen levels can get higher than they should be, causing other hormones to become deficient. One of the best ways to avoid this is to avoid soy.
You can replace soy milks, soy meats, soy cheeses, soy cereal, etc. with healthier, less processed foods. For instance, almond milk and rice milk can replace soy milk.
2. GMO
GMO is another anti-nutrient that I think it is very important for you to be aware of. GMO is not a food or nutrient, but instead it is something that is done to our foods.
Genetically modified organism (GMO)
“A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes.”
GMO foods are foods that have been altered by science to grow bigger, have herbicide tolerance, and be insect resistant, amongst other things. They have been altered from their natural, nutritious state into a food that studies now show can negatively impact your fertility amongst causing other health issues.
One of the few long-terms studies (there are not many long-term studies done on GMO foods) showed that mice fed GMO corn over a period of 20 weeks had greatly impaired fertility compared to the mice fed non-GMO corn. In addition, the offspring of the GMO mice also suffered from lower fertility rates.
According to the USDA:
Another food that is generally GMO is soy. In the U.S., approximately 54% of all soybeans cultivated in 2000 were genetically-modified, in 2010, 93% of soybeans are genetically modified. Yet another reason to avoid soy foods.
While soy, corn, and potatoes are the most prevalent GMO foods, there are many others that you should be aware of as well, such as:
- Salmon
- Canola oil
- High fructose corn syrup/corn sugar (one of the reasons there is so much GMO corn being grown. The other reason for so much corn is that it is readily fed to livestock)
- Dairy (conventional cows are injected with the genetically engineered hormone rBGH/rBST and are frequently fed GMO corn and grains.)
- Processed foods (many processed foods have been tested and shown to contain some GMO ingredients.)
How to avoid GMO foods
In the US there are currently no labeling laws requiring that the inclusion of GMO foods be placed on the label. The best ways to avoid GMO foods are to buy organic and shop at the farmer’s market.
- Buy organic – If it is organic it is not a GMO food. In the US and Canada, manufacturers are not allowed to label something as 100% organic if it has been genetically modified or if it is an animal and has been fed genetically modified feed. So when it comes to eggs, dairy, and meats, organic is a must.
- Know your numbers – on produce, there is a little sticker that has a number on it. This can tell you if the produce is GMO, organic or conventional. Keep in mind that food producers are not required to tell us if the produce they are selling is GMO, so buying organic is still the best option.- If it is a 4-digit number, the food is conventionally produced.
– If it is a 5-digit number beginning with an 8, it is GMO. However, do not trust that GE foods will have a PLU identifying it as such, because PLU labeling is optional.
– If it is a 5-digit number beginning with a 9, it is organic. - Avoid processed foods – Processed foods can contain GMO ingredients and do not have to disclose it on the label. They can also contain other harmful ingredients such as MSG and other chemicals without disclosing them on the label. In addition, processed foods are not healthy and should be avoided anyway.
3. Pesticides, herbicides, hormones
The pesticides and herbicides sprayed on our foods and lawns have been shown to negatively impact fertility. Studies have shown that these chemicals affect both male fertility (lower sperm count) as well as female fertility (causing hormonal imbalances).
In men pesticides have been shown to effect:
- The male reproductive tract
- Sperm health
- Sperm motility
- Sperm count
- Overall male fertility
- Hormonal balance
In women pesticides affect fertility in many different ways by disrupting:
- Hormone synthesis
- Hormone release and storage
- Hormone transport
- Hormone receptors
- Thyroid function
- The central nervous system
While pesticides and herbicides are not the only chemicals that should be avoided, they are some of the most prevalent. The best way to avoid ingesting these anti-nutrients is to buy organic foods including organic fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, etc. Conventional animals are fed grains and feed that contain a lot of pesticides. Chemicals such as pesticides are stored in the fat of the animal’s body, and when they are eaten or their milk is consumed, the consumer is getting a concentration of these chemicals.
If you are switching from a conventional diet to an organic one and are concerned about the chemicals and toxins left over from your original lifestyle, you may want to look into doing a Fertility Cleanse to help support the liver in cleaning out these compounds. In addition, if you are overweight, losing weight and sweating are the best ways to get rid of the chemicals that are stored in the fat.
4. Sugar
Sugar may be the one thing that most people know is not good for them. But how does it affect fertility specifically? First, I want to clarify what type of sugar I am speaking of. Processed sugars such as high fructose corn syrup, white sugar, corn sugar, etc., are the bad ones, while the sugars found in fruits are healthy, natural sugars. What about honey and maple syrup you ask? In small amounts they are fine, but it is the processed sugars that I am addressing here.
When someone consumes sugar, it creates a spike in the blood sugar causing the body to release insulin, trying to balance the blood sugar levels. Over time, when sugar is consumed day in and day out, this can create an insulin resistance, where the body is not responding to the insulin being released. This can go on to cause many different health issues, one of the main fertility ones being PCOS. PCOS affects ovulation and implantation of the ovum, as well as increasing the rate of miscarriage.
So avoiding processed sugars is one of the best things that you can do to eat a healthier, fertility-friendly diet. Be clear that I am not recommending to eat sugar-free foods or diet sodas either, as they are also known to cause many health issues as well and should be avoided with as much vigor. What I am recommending to eat instead is a healthy, whole food, plant-based diet (you can include meat or not, it is up to you) as nature intended and avoid processed sugar.
Some alternatives to processed sugars are:
Stevia– stevia is an amazing herb that is sweet but contains no sugar whatsoever. It is very potent so start with a small amount, let the flavor grow on you. My favorite form is the powdered herb, which should be green, not white.
Honey – in small amounts honey is a good sweetener
Dates – I love to put dates in my almond milk recipe because they are a natural sweetener but also contain essential minerals.
Maple syrup – Another natural sweetener that can be used in small amounts.
I know at first it seems like quitting sugar is a big deal, and it is because most of us are addicted to it, but if you cut out all sugar, after about 1-2 weeks, your cravings will go away and you will feel so much better. Just say no to sugar.
5. Plastic water bottles
The last on today’s list of anti-nutrients is plastic water bottles. Do not drink or buy water in plastic bottles. The thin plastic bottle that the water is in leaches chemicals called xenohormones into the water. These xenohormones mimic estrogen in the body, causing too much estrogen and not enough of the other important hormones (in men typically not enough testosterone to oppose the estrogen and in women not enough progesterone to oppose the estrogen.). This in turn causes hormonal imbalance and fertility issues. While there are many toxins and pollutants that are xenohormones, bottled water seems to be one that everyone is exposing themselves to, purposefully, on a daily basis.
Some alternative to drinking bottled water:
- Get a stainless steel or glass water bottle, or mason jars and fill them up at home.
- Be prepared, always have water with you.
- Buy water that is bottled in glass. “Mountain Springs” sells their water in glass bottles (the bottles are green); that is what we buy if we forget to bring our water with us.
I know we will now be receiving a flood of emails asking which type of water is the best to drink, so I am going to list my suggestions here:
- 1. Spring water. If you can find a natural spring where you live, that is the best water you can drink.
2. The second best would be Kangan water or reverse osmosis
3. Third would be a table top filter such as Britta.
So these are the top 5 anti-nutrients for today (though there are many others which we will discuss in the near future). I hope you found this article to be mind-opening. Do not feel overwhelmed. Realize that all of the suggestions here are basically helping you turn towards a more natural, fertile life without so much packaging, processing, and bottling, and with way less chemicals. Here are some actions and steps that you can take today that can make all the difference:
- 1. Avoid all soy
2. Buy organic as much as possible, this includes produce, dairy, meat, and grains.
3. Avoid processed sugars
4. Stop drinking plastic bottled water
That’s it. Are you going to do it? Share below your answer to that question.
Too learn more about related subjects covered in this article, please visit the following links:
Fertility: One More Reason To NOT Eat SOY
Xenohormones: Causing a Hormone Imbalance Epidemic
- Daniells, S. (2010, March 03). Soy again linked to male infertility: Mouse study. Retrieved from: https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2010/03/03/Soy-again-linked-to-male-infertility-Mouse-study
- Weston A Price Foundation. (2002, October 19). Soy Infant Formula: Birth Control Pills for Babies. Retrieved from: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/soy-infant-formula-birth-control-pills-for-babies/
- New Study Links Genetically Engineered Corn to Infertility. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.organicconsumers.org/scientific/new-study-links-genetically-engineered-corn-infertility
- Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us/
- Genetically-engineered food: Potential threat to fertility. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.greenpeace.org/archive-international/en/press/releases/2008/ge-threat-to-fertility-11112008/
- Bretveld, R., Brouwers, M., Ebisch, I., & Roeleveld, N. (2007). Influence of pesticides on male fertility. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 33(1), 13-28. doi:10.5271/sjweh.1060 Retrieved from: http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1060
- Phillips, K. P., & Tanphaichitr, N. (2008). Human Exposure to Endocrine Disrupters and Semen Quality. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 11(3-4), 188-220. doi:10.1080/10937400701873472 Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10937400701873472
- Bretveld, R. W., Thomas, C. M., Scheepers, P. T., Zielhuis, G. A., & Roeleveld, N. (2006). Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 4(1), 30. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-4-30. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1524969/
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 and is a Certified Birth Doula. 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 helping provide a source for high quality, research based information and support for those on their journey to becoming parents.
This is great and so informative. We’re often told to stay away from tons of food but we don’t always know why, so it gets overwhelming. Explaining how all of these foods are specifically linked to infertility is super helpful in prioritizing what we really need to be staying away from and why.
Please I am in Ghana, the northern part to be precise. The soya beans in the local market are direct farm harvest. However, they apply some fertilizers in its cultivation. Some people roast soya beans, maize and groundnut; mill them together and sell them in powdered form in the market for porridge. Also, day old or freshly squeezed cow milk, in its raw state is available in the market. Is it healthy to consume them? Please what is your advice on that?
Dear Wilhelmina,
Whole soy beans that are not sprayed with fertilizers may be fine in moderation, but we suggest avoiding consuming soy all together if struggling with infertility. Raw cow’s milk is fine to consume if the cows are grass-fed and not fed any antibiotics, growth hormones or grains grown with pesticides. Learn more about raw dairy in our Fertility Diet guide.
It’s been great and very helpful acquiring this knowledge. I look forward to learning more. I am so grateful to the authors.
Does ‘soy products’ include soy sauce? If so, can you suggest an alternative? I am using it on almost all dishes because I’m Asian; I live in the Philippines. Thank you
Dear Ethyl,
We do feel soy sauce fits into this category as it is often highly processed, but also that consuming soy foods is all about moderation. Consider wheat free organic non-GMO Tamari, or liquid aminos.
Can you tell me your opinion on organic soybeans? I’ve been avoiding soy all together, but have found Ezekiel brand’s organic english muffins have organic soybeans as an ingredient.
Hi Kristin!
A major part of why we don’t support eating soy as a part of a Fertility diet is because most soy available in the US is GMO soy, but then also because it is so highly processed in many soy foods. I can not speak to the processing procedures of Ezekial and personally know this brand to be high quality.
It may help you understand more about why we suggest avoiding spy in our Fertility Diet here…
In health ~ Elizabeth
Update 2014 – We are back! We have been away for a while and we sure have missed all of your wonderful questions and thoughts on our articles. Moving forward, one of our staff herbalists will be here to respond to comments! We look forward to connecting with our readers once again!
great article very helpfull, make me fertile enough for triplets.
Wow! Yes I will try to stay away from plastic but I usually use conola oil to cook so tell me what type of oil should i use?
Hi Sonia,
Canola oil is fine if it is organic. Organic olive oil is nice as well, but burns at a lower temperature.
Warmly,
Dalene
Sandy oct 21
Wow how to avoid plastics, salads that are organic come packed in plastic and let me ask you what about plastic that is bpa free does it still leach xenohormones? Even my fabulous supplements come in a thin plastic wrapper pack, and vitamin bottles, plus my organic peanut butter and bread goodness what should one do?
Help !
I know Sandy, it is tough out there with all this plastic. I try to buy supplements in glass amber bottles, Megafood sells theirs in glass. Instead of using plasic sandwich bags I store food in glass Mason jars or Pyrex and wax coated paper baggies.
Thanks for you comment.
Dalene
I avoid bottled water as well as bottled juices I avoid the microwave(and only use glass in the microwave when it can’t be avoided). I avoid soy and convienece/procesed foods. Unfortunatly, buying organic is beyond my families financial ability. It is about double that cost of conventional foods and probably not a reality for most working families especialy with a child.
Melanie,
Somtimes the stress of trying to eat organic if you can not financially afford it does more damage than good. You are already doing what you can. You can also learn about what fruits and veggies that are deffinitely best to eat organic and others that are not bad. It is best to at least try and eat organic animal products or local free range animal products.
Thanks for sharing your comments,
Dalene
Finally it is being realized that plastic is damaging the fertility of the human race.
Around 8 years ago when I was studying at Art School I did a sculpture project on plastics, Knitting baby clothes out of plastic supermarket bags. During my investigations and research I found out that mice kept in plastic cages were ending up infertile. They were chewing on the plastic bars. This really worried me because mice are one of the most fertile mammals. Plastic is such an over used product in our world, and it is really hard not to be in contact with it. Our babies are subjected from a very early age to plastics. Just think of the disposable nappies, plastic feed bottles,rattles, polafleece clothing just to mention a few things. We need to do something about this before the human race is harmed so much it cannt heal itself.
Yes – I’ll be using these suggestions. I thought a little soy would be okay. I have some organic that I bought, but from what I read any soy is bad when trying to conceive. Okay – fine. I’ll let the soy go.
Yes! This is good, practical info for the way the western diet and lifestyle can disrupt fertility. Adding fish oil supplements can help your chances of conceiving too.
Thank you very much for this informative material I use to think soy was good since it is protein and in my country Nigeria if you drink plastic water you are a rich man but now I know better. Please I want to ask is cold liver oil omega 3 good for early pregnancy? what other recipes can one take during early pregnancy.
Hi comfort,
I am glad you feel this article is helpful for you. Yes, cod liver oil is safe to take and encouraged to continue through pregnancy and breastfeeding, as part of a nutrient dense pregnancy diet, to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby! Click here to learn the benefits of cod liver oil in pregnancy.
Click here to learn all the best nutritional supplements to continue and what not to continue during pregnancy…