High Protein Diet for Fertility: Approach with CautionA high protein diet can negatively impact on your fertility status and ability to get pregnant, especially if you have an ovulation disorder. Role of Protein in Diet Every cell in your body contains protein, which is a complex organic compound that is structured in the form of amino acids. It is found throughout your body in your hair, nails, muscles and organs, including the skin. As a building block for cellular growth, protein is needed in your diet to build and repair body tissues, create new cells, and produce hormones. It is important for growth and development during childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy. According to the Institute of Medicine, the recommended daily intake of protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of weight for healthy adults and 1.1 grams of protein for pregnant (using pre-pregnancy weight) and lactating women. If you weigh 140 pounds, that’s approximately 50 grams of protein prior to pregnancy and 70 grams during pregnancy. These recommendations may differ for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease. A diet in excess of recommended daily amounts can result in kidney or liver damage and cause dehydration. Protein and Ovulation Disorders One quarter (0.25%) of infertility cases relate to ovulation disorders. Recent studies have suggested that a high protein diet can negatively impact fertility, but that dietary changes can improve or maintain the proper function of the ovaries and therefore enhance your chances of getting pregnant. An animal study conducted in 2004 found that a high protein diet could adversely impact a woman’s fertility status and ability to get pregnant. Given that this study was performed on mice, some concerns were raised about the applicability of this study to humans. It has also been reported that a high protein diet can worsen the signs and symptoms as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) due to the increased saturated fat content. In 2008, results from the first comprehensive exam of diet and fertility were published in the “Fertility Diet”, a book by two Harvard researchers based upon an eight-year study of more than 18,000 nurses. According to the authors, this research revealed several evidence-based dietary approaches that are purported to enhance fertility by preventing or reversing ovulatory disorders. Key recommendations include the following: *Substitute vegetable protein such as tofu, beans or nuts for animal protein at least one meal per day. *Avoid trans fats that are present in many processed and convenience foods and incorporate unsaturated vegetable oils instead. *Choose low-glycemic carbohydrates that are high in fiber and slow to digest such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans, over high glycemic ones. *Incorporate whole milk products such as milk, ice cream and yogurt instead of fat-free or low-fat versions. *Maintain your weight and activity level in the “fertility” zone. Protein and Infertility Treatment Some doctors are recommending that patients follow a high protein diet during fertility treatment to improve egg quality and increase the rate of implantation. While there doesn’t appear to be any evidence-based support for this approach, a recent study published in “Fertility and Sterility” noted that women who followed a Mediterranean-style diet (i.e., balanced diet that includes healthy amounts of vegetable oils, vegetables, fish and beans) were more likely to become pregnant during infertility treatment than those who followed diets that were most dissimilar to the Mediterranean diet. This study was observational in nature and therefore does not provide inconclusive evidence that this diet will increase your chances of getting preganant. Additional studies are required to establish the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet in enhancing fertility. Conclusion While eating a high protein diet can negatively impact fertility, incorporating certain dietary changes as outlined in the Fertility Diet may enhance your fertility status, especially if you have an ovulation disorder. If you are undergoing infertility treatment, you may also want to adopt aspects of the Mediterranean diet. Aside from being low in cost, making these changes to your diet are relatively simple to incorporate into your every-day life. You should consult with your doctor if you have medical issues before making significant changes to your diet.
Return from High Protein Diet for Fertility to Fertility Diet |