Chemicals and Fertility

Consider this BPA, part II. New research has come out putting numbers to how badly our health is being affected by the chemicals in our homes and in our foods. The chemicals of greatest concern are affecting our hormones, which regulate our entire body systems. I didn't know this, but 1 in 6 American couples struggle with fertility. That's a very high number. BPA and phthalates are mostly to blame, and I'll include parabens too. These things are EVERYWHERE! Your shopping receipts, plastic toys and containers, and most concerning, all of our self-care products. Recently, BPA has been found in 90% of babies umbilicals cords. That's just incredible to me! That says something about how much of these products we have in our own systems. Recent studies have confirmed that BPA negatively impacts the following: 1) sperm concentration, 2) sperm count, 3) sperm vitality and motility. In women, higher levels of BPA increase your risk for unsuccessful IVF. In a recent study, all the women undergoing IVF had detectable levels of BPA in their urine and the number of retrievable eggs was inversely related to the amount detected. Basically, the more BPA in your system, the less eggs available for insemination. Interesting.

Phthalates are another scary group of hormones, mostly because in the US, companies are not required to include them in their ingredient list or on their label and are often disguised under other names. They can also be found in your vinyl shower curtain and are released from the moment you open the plastic wrap (we LOVE our cloth shower curtain). Phthalate exposure is connected with undescended testes in babies (more common than you would think), testicular atrophy, and decreased sperm counts. Phthalates can be found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, (and shhhhh.....sex toys). Other chemicals that are less well known, but also linked to fertility include Bovine Growth Hormone, which is pretty much given to every milk-producing cow to increase its production (another great reason to go organic on your dairy products), fluoride, MSG, and non-fermented soy products (which have lots of hormone-like substances which interfere with your natural hormones).

New research is coming out about the importance of Vitamin D prior to pregnancy. And surprisingly, it's important for the guys too. A study in 2008 found that men with a vitamin D deficiency had more trouble impregnating their partners. AND a study in 2009 discovered that sperm have a vitamin D receptor. Crazy!

Moral of the story, as you will hear me say (or see me type?) over and over, watch what you are bringing into your home and putting in your bodies. Read your labels and ask questions...and I'll try to fill in the blanks.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/08/7-surprising-sperm-killers-that-could-leave-men-shooting-blanks.aspx