Fertility Under Fire: How Inflammation Impacts Reproduction and Ways to Fight Back
What do you think of when you hear the term “inflammation”? Perhaps you haven’t thought about it in terms of your fertility. Inflammation is a natural part of the body's immune system. It responds to injury or infection and also plays an essential role in folliculogenesis (egg development), ovulation, and embryo implantation. While a certain level of inflammation is necessary for these reproductive functions, chronic...
Acupuncture in Fertility: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Research
Acupuncture, an ancient practice that involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body, has gained popularity as a complementary therapy for fertility. This article will explore the benefits of acupuncture for fertility, its mechanisms of action, and a summary of some of the research evaluating its use.
Does Acupuncture Help Fertility Outcomes?
Acupuncture benefits fertility in several ways, including:
- Improves...
SIBO and Pregnancy: Understanding Symptoms and Managing Treatment
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of bacteria in the small intestine. Depending on the type of bacteria present different types of gas, including methane, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide, are produced, giving rise to characteristic symptoms. While SIBO can affect anyone, it poses unique challenges for pregnant women due to the limitations of treatment options. In this article, we...
Understanding the Microbiome and Its Impact on Health and Fertility
The microbiome refers to the community of bacteria that inhabit specific areas of our body, such as the gut, vaginal and uterine environment, and skin. It is unique to each individual, much like our fingerprints, and can be influenced by various factors including genetics, environment, and lifestyle.
The establishment of the microbiome begins at birth and can be influenced by factors such as the mode of delivery (vaginal birth vs. C-section),...
Genetics - Is this the missing puzzle?
Several investigations have observed positive associations between good nutritional status, as indicated by micronutri- ents, and cognitive measures; however, these associations may not be causal. Genetic polymorphisms that affect nutritional biomarkers may be useful for providing evidence for associations between micronutrients and cognitive measures. As part of the Healthy Ageing across the Life Course (HALCyon) program, men and women aged...
