Mediterranean Diet Can Boost Success of Infertility TreatmentsThe Mediterranean diet is slowly gaining popularity in the health and fitness world. Just recently, it ranked as one of 2010’s most popular diet. It has been studied and researched over the years and has found out to produce numerous health benefits. Some of these include lowered risk of asthma in children, lowered risk of metabolic syndrome, depression and cancer. In addition to these benefits, the Mediterranean diet may help women undergoing fertility treatments to get pregnant. A recent research in Netherlands which was published in a medical journal, Fertility and Sterility, studied the diets of 161 couples who are undergoing fertility treatments. Researchers found out that women who adhered to the Mediterranean diet have a higher pregnancy rate. This is of course following an in vitro fertilization procedure (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Women who stick to this diet are 40% more likely to get pregnant than those who do not. Although the research was not able to prove that the diet alone can boost fertility. The increase in the pregnancy rate is attributed to the fact that the Mediterranean diet is high in omega 6 fatty acid which is a precursor of prostaglandins, a hormone that controls hormone production. The diet is also rich in Vitamin B6 which aids in conception. A normal Mediterranean diet consists of vegetables, fruits, pasta, cereals, whole grains, seeds and olive oil. It has lesser amounts or dairy and poultry products. Red wine is also served in almost every meal especially during lunch and dinner. This diet is very similar to the dietary guidelines set by the American Heart Association. Read more of our articles on diet and fertility
Mediterranean Diet Can Boost Success of Infertility Treatments |