Pregnancy and Birth

Diet, Fertility and Birth Defects

Protein intake and ovulatory infertility by Jorge Chavarro published in the February 2008 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found, “Consuming 5% of total energy intake as vegetable protein rather than as animal protein was associated with a more than 50% lower risk of ovulatory infertility.”1 These results were based on a total of 18,555 married women without a history of infertility followed up as they attempted a pregnancy or became pregnant during an 8-year period.

The association of folate, zinc and antioxidant intake with sperm aneuploidy in healthy non-smoking men by S.S. Young reported in the March 2008 issue of Human Reproduction found, “Men with high folate intake had lower overall frequencies of several types of aneuploid sperm.”2

Folate (folic acid) is made by plants. Aneuploidy is a condition where one or a few chromosomes are above or below the normal chromosome number, and is associated with birth defects, like Down syndrome. Decreased folate metabolism in mothers has also been associated with increased risk of having an infant with Down syndrome.2 Chemotherapy treatment and exposure to certain pesticides, including organophosphates, have been associated with higher frequency of aneuploidy in human sperm.

Comment:

Over my 35 years of practice I have had many apparently infertile women become pregnant after changing to [a plant-based] diet—they believed diet change was partially responsible. Infertility affects one in six couples in Western countries. Obesity associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the primary cause of infertility in women living in developed countries and both are caused by the Western diet. Weight loss will correct PCOS. The most effective way to permanently lose weight is to change the composition of the diet to low-fat, plant foods and add a regular exercise program. This research by Chavarro showed the source of dietary protein (vegetable vs. animal) has additional effects on infertility beyond body weight.

Many couples are delaying starting a family until later in life. Because of their advanced age they worry about an increased risk of birth defects, particularly Down syndrome. Normally, a woman’s reproductive years last until about age 50. This was not a mistake of nature. Women should expect to be able to have normal babies during all of their reproductive years if they eat a healthy diet and follow a supportive lifestyle. The most important reason birth defects become more common as people get older is because of the damage to their bodies, and more specifically to their eggs and sperm, caused by unhealthy food choices. Animal foods lack folate, an essential ingredient for DNA (genetic) metabolism, and other nutrients needed for reproduction found in plants. Plus, because they are high on the food chain, meat and dairy products are contaminated with significant amounts of environmental chemicals, including organophosphate pesticides.

We communicate our state of health by our personal appearance, which gives strong signals about our ability to reproduce successfully. Being healthy makes a man or woman appear attractive. Thus, we are by design encouraged to mate—share our genetic materials—with those people who are most likely to produce the best children from this union. Sickness is unattractive—such recognition warns us that union with a sick person is unwise; resulting in greater risk of infertility and genetically defective children.

The Western diet causes people to become overweight with a sickly look, expressed in many subtle ways, such as a gray complexion and puffy skin. Body odor also communicates our state of health. Animal foods contain large amounts of foul-smelling sulfur and also make us sick. The connection of health and attractiveness is important because ultimately, good health promotes preservation of the species. In order to clean up your appearance you need to eat a clean diet based on plant foods.

1) Chavarro JE, Rich-Edwards JW, Rosner BA, Willett WC. Protein intake and ovulatory infertility. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Feb;198(2):210.e1-7.

2) Young SS, Eskenazi B, Marchetti FM, Block G, Wyrobek AJ. The association of folate, zinc and antioxidant intake with sperm aneuploidy in healthy non-smoking men.

Hum Reprod. 2008 Mar 19; [Epub ahead of print]

2008 John McDougall All Rights Reserved
McDougall Wellness Center P.O. Box 14039, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
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John and Mary McDougall