Wise Traditions 2009 Part II

On day 2 of the Wise Traditions conference, I attended a very informative presentation by Kaayla Daniel, PhD and CCN. She is on the board of directors for the Weston A. Price foundation and is also the director/founder of The Whole Nutritionist. She discussed the growing problem and reasons for infertility as well as foods that can help to promote fertility.

Unfortunately, as Kaayla Daniel discussed, infertility is a growing problem and cannot be taken lightly. She noted that infertility is not just a problem with the reproductive organs, but with the entire body. Unfortunately, there are many factors which can affect the healthy function the reproductive systems of both men (specifically sperm production and quality) and women (ovulation) including STDs, drugs/alcohol, stress, processed and hormone-ridden foods not containing necessary nutrients.

Kaayla Daniel noted that it is actually rare for her to see normal fertility chart/cycles from women, which should show signs of healthy ovulation. She also stated that being too thin or overweight can cause a failure to ovulate (this is often related to diet and lifestyle). I have to wonder how often medical doctors prescribe changes to diet and exercise before suggesting fertility drugs and in vitro…

Kaayla Daniel also discussed another surprising health problem- loss of libido. This can be due to drugs (such as Prozac– which can not only hurt sexual desire, but reduce sperm count dramatically). For females particularly, thyroid problems and physical pain of reproductive organs during intercourse can also be of influence.

In addition, although Viagra is a profitable and popular product, Kaayla Daniel explained that when used, 30% less eggs become fertilized and worse yet, the eggs are not likely to develop properly if they are fertilized. Kaayla also noted that some specific foods are very bad for fertility such as trans fats, the infamous HFCS (due to the mercury), cytotoxins such as MSG and aspartame, GMOs,  toxic metals (from vaccines, dental work, etc.), too high levels of necessary minerals (copper and maganese), and pesticides.

She also stated that xenoestrogens (environmental estrogens) have an impact on fertility. These include, BPA, DES, BHA (in birth control pills), parabens, DDT, PCBs, red die#3, and perchlorate. In addition, phytoestrogens (dietary estrogens) can not only cause infertility, but endometriosis, masculinization of females, femalization of males, and sexual dysfunction.

Kaayla Daniel also noted that soy foods in particular during pregnancy and for feeding babies are particularly bad. Studies show that this is because phytoestrogens in soy are endocrine disruptor and decrease testosterone. According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, “babies exclusively fed soy formula receive the estrogenic equivalent of at least 5 birth control pills per day“. I think frightening is an understatement in this case….

Near the end of her presentation, Kaayla Daniel discussed foods that do promote fertility and were recognized by traditional cultures. Raw whole milk, butter, eggs (of hens, fish, etc.), chicken giblets and liver, and cod liver oil, are included in these sacred foods for fertility. You will notice that all of these foods are high in cholesterol and that they are not commonly recommended to be included in the modern American diet (but is the American diet really helping with fertility anyway?). She also stated that fermented vegetables are another “fertility food” as they help with gut health and overall wellness of the body. She also suggested maca, ginseng, and horny goat weed as possible fertility supplements.