Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (37 page)

In my clinical experience, many teenagers with acne have tested positive for a deficiency in the mineral zinc. A nutritious diet is hormone balancing and a far more effective remedy for acne than topical creams and lotions. See page
171
for my Acne Plan.

The Fertile Years

Nearly every client who has come to me in the hope of conceiving a baby has been granted their wish. When you think about the purpose of your reproductive organs—creating new life—it’s easy to understand how vital it is to nourish them with a vibrant, energy-giving diet. The full spectrum of nutrients is needed for maximum reproductive health.

But you don’t just need to think about reproductive health when you’re trying to conceive. Far from it. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the development and maturity of male and female reproductive systems, right from childhood. Just take zinc, for example. This mineral is easy to find in food if you follow a healthy diet and it’s directly involved in the development of reproductive organs. If your children have white spots on their nails, which is very common, then they are likely deficient in zinc. If this carries right through to adulthood it can put immunity, menstruation, sex life, and reproduction at risk.

MEN

Nutrition has a direct impact on the potency of a man’s sperm. Research shows that if you eat badly, smoke, and drink too much alcohol, the quality and quantity of your sperm will be lowered, and conception will be more difficult. So here’s where I stand on my soapbox. Men, I am talking to you! Don’t think that infertility is a purely female problem, and that you can continue drinking, smoking, and eating what you like while your partner makes all the lifestyle changes. Did you know nearly half of all fertility problems originate from the man? And in the majority of cases, experts can’t even tell which partner has the problem—it might be both of you. The best way to maximize your chance of a healthy, successful conception and pregnancy, whether you’ve been experiencing problems or not, is for you both to adopt a healthy-eating plan and lifestyle.

Foods to choose

To boost your chances of conceiving a healthy baby, your diet should be balanced, healthy, varied, and as organic and free from additives and preservatives as possible. A healthy diet is low in most of the saturated fats, particularly animal fat, sugar, salt, and refined and processed foods, and high in whole grain products, fruits, and vegetables. In a study of Danish greenhouse workers, an unexpectedly high sperm count was found among organic farmers who grew their products without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Interestingly enough, Danish sperm is one of the most sought after in the world, routinely used to boost sperm supplies at sperm banks. So, ladies, if you can’t find Mr. Right, you now know where to go!

The most important nutrients

Zinc
is vital because it is crucial for the proper development of sperm. Low or no zinc in the man equals low or no sperm count. Food sources include fish, kelp, brown rice, hulled hemp seeds, wheat germ, chicken, pulses, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peas, chicken, whole grains, and eggs.

Manganese
is essential for the maintenance of healthy testicles. A lack of the mineral manganese leads to testicular degeneration, sterility, and loss of libido. Food sources include avocados, oats, bananas, peas, prunes, kale, raspberries, lettuce, nuts, seeds, sea vegetables, whole grains, pulses, and dulse.

Selenium
is needed to raise sperm counts. Food sources include Brazil nuts, barley, broccoli, fish, eggs, asparagus, brown rice, chicken, dulse, garlic, kelp, and wheat germ.

Research suggests that the antioxidant activity of
Vitamin E
may make sperm more fertile. An interesting study looked at men with good sperm counts but low fertilization rates during IVF treatments. These men were given vitamin E each day. One month after starting treatment, the fertility rate increased from 19 percent to 29 percent. Food sources include nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, oats, wheat germ, and cold-pressed oils.

Vitamin C
is needed to increase sperm quality. Food sources include berries (strawberries, blueberries, and goji berries, for example), citrus fruits, kiwi, tomatoes, peppers, black currants, peas, and rose hips.

Essential fatty acids
are crucial because semen is rich in prostaglandins, which require these fatty acids for production. Food sources include flax seeds, shelled hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, avocados, trout, salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and cold-pressed oils.

Vitamin B
₁₂
is also important for cellular sperm production. Food sources include poultry, eggs, dairy products, herring, mackerel, salmon, and cod.

Potassium
is another important mineral for increasing male virility. Food sources include pulses, vegetables, apple cider vinegar, whole grains, apricots, avocados, bananas, brown rice, dates, figs, dulse, nuts, squash, pumpkin, and nettle.

Coenzyme Q10
is a nutrient used in the body for the production of energy, as well as sperm count and motility. Food sources include herring, mackerel, soy products, trout, and pistachio nuts.