fertility – Central News Hub

Nutrition and Fertility

Staying hydrated is important for overall health, but it also plays a significant role in fertility. Proper hydration is often overlooked…writes Dr. Sulbha Arora

Proper nutrition serves as a foundation for fertility as the food we consume can have a big impact on our ability to conceive and it drastically influences both male and female reproductive health. With informed dietary choices, individuals can improve their fertility potential and increase their chances of conceiving.

Key Nutrients for Fertility:

When it comes to conceiving, certain nutrients play an important role in supporting reproductive function. These include:

Folic Acid: Critical for fetal development and reducing the risk of birth defects

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Support hormonal balance and promote overall reproductive health

Iron: Important for maintaining healthy blood levels and fertility

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is also crucial as it helps with egg maturation and embryo implantation

Zinc: It is necessary for sperm production in men

Eating a nutrient-rich diet not only boosts fertility but also increases the chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Foods like leafy greens, nuts and seeds, fatty fish, and lean meats prepare the human body for conception.

The Impact of Sugar and Processed Foods

Consuming high levels of sugar and processed foods can hurt fertility. These foods may taste delicious, but they can damage our bodies in the long run. Excessive consumption of sugar has been linked to various health issues like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Processed foods are full of artificial ingredients and preservatives that can trouble our metabolism and gut health. They also tend to be high in unhealthy fats and sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation in the body, disturb hormone levels, and negatively impact reproductive function. By limiting these items intake and focusing on whole, nutrient-rich foods, individuals can make their bodies more fertility-friendly.

The Role of Hydration in Fertility

Staying hydrated is important for overall health, but it also plays a significant role in fertility. Proper hydration is often overlooked. Proper hydration ensures that all bodily functions are working optimally, including reproductive health. Staying hydrated supports the body’s natural functions, including hormone balance and the production of cervical mucus. Dehydration can lead to a decrease in cervical mucus production, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg and implant successfully. In addition, being properly hydrated can help regulate hormone levels, support egg quality, and enhance uterine lining thickness—all factors are important in fertility. It’s recommended to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day, but individual needs may vary depending on factors like activity level and climate.

Creating a Fertility-Focused Meal Plan

Developing a meal plan that is rich in fertility-supporting nutrients foods is key to improving reproductive health. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide the body with the essential nutrients it needs for hormonal balance and optimal fertility. One should focus on maintaining blood sugar levels throughout the day by including complex carbohydrates like quinoa and sweet potatoes. Additionally, prioritize healthy fats from sources like avocado and olive oil to support hormone production and should aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day. And finally, consider consulting with a healthcare provider or nutritionist for personalized guidance for specific needs and goals.

In conclusion, by paying attention to the foods you eat and making conscious choices you can improve your reproductive health and can conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Prioritizing nutrient-rich foods, staying hydrated, and avoiding processed food items can lead to a successful fertility journey.

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India’s total fertility rate drops from 2.2 to 2.0, reveals NFHS-5 report

In Kerala, nearly 100 per cent of the births were institutional births. Only 46 per cent of the births in Nagaland were institutional births, according to PRS…reports Asian Lite News

India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined from 2.2 in 2015-16 to 2.0 in 2019-21, indicating the significant progress of population control measures, revealed the report of the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).

The TFR is the average number of children born to a woman in her lifetime. The governments set targets for TFR for the purpose of population control. TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level fertility rate at which population stability is achieved.

According to the report, India has made significant progress in population control measures in recent times with the TFR, but there are wide inter-regional variations with five states still not having achieved a replacement level of fertility of 2.1. Bihar (2.98), Meghalaya (2.91), Uttar Pradesh (2.35), Jharkhand (2.26) and Manipur (2.17) are the five states, according to the NFHS-5 conducted from 2019-21.

The NFHS-5 survey was conducted in around 6.37 lakh sample households from 707 districts (as on March 2017) of the country from 28 states and 8 UTs, covering 7,24,115 women and 1,01,839 men to provide disaggregated estimates up to the district level.

In seven states, more than 90 per cent of the births in the last five years were institutional births. In Kerala, nearly 100 per cent of the births were institutional births. Only 46 per cent of the births in Nagaland were institutional births, according to PRS.

Institutional births increased by a maximum of 27 percentage points in Arunachal Pradesh, followed by over 10 percentage points in Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Stunting or chronic malnutrition (low height with respect to age) has increased in 11 of the 17 states. Children who are stunted or wasted are more vulnerable to diseases and illness.

As per the survey, stunting is higher among children in rural areas (37 per cent) than in urban areas (30 per cent) in 2019-21. Variation in stunting ranges from the lowest in Puducherry (20 per cent) and highest in Meghalaya (47 per cent).

A notable decrease in stunting was observed in Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim (7 percentage points each), Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh and Manipur (6 percentage points each), and Chandigarh and Bihar (5 percentage points each).

The report also found that the neonatal mortality rate declined from 49 deaths per 1,000 live births in the five years before the 1992-93 NFHS survey to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births in the five years before the 2019-21 NFHS survey.

The neonatal mortality rates in the five years before the 1998-99 survey, 2005-06 survey, and the 2015-16 survey were 43, 39, and 30 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.

The infant mortality rate declined from 79 deaths per 1,000 live births in the five years before the 1992-93 NFHS survey to 35 deaths per 1,000 live births in the five years before the 2019-21 NFHS survey.

During the same period, the under-five mortality rate declined from 109 deaths per 1,000 live births to 42 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Assam has seen one of the largest drops in the infant mortality rate, from 48 deaths (per 1,000 live births) to 32 deaths. The infant mortality rate remains high in Bihar (47 deaths per 1,000 live births).

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