Deep Dive into Reproduction with LIFE by Dr. Pat
Deep dive into reproduction and fertility treatment by LIFE by Dr. Pat Clinic and Dr. Patsama Vichinsartvichai
Deep Dive into Reproduction with LIFE by Dr. Pat
Unlocking Fertility Wellness through Diet and Lifestyle
Exploring the intersection of diet and fertility, this episode emphasizes the importance of proactive health strategies for those looking to conceive. Key topics include specific dietary recommendations, the role of supplements, and individual nutritional needs in supporting reproductive health.
• Discussion on preconception health and the importance of holistic wellness
• Insights shared from fertility specialist Dr. Pat
• Overview of Shakti Plus and Siva Plus supplements
• Importance of CoQ10, L-carnitine, and antioxidants for fertility
• The role of diet in enhancing reproductive health
• Key nutrients to prioritize and avoid for fertility
• Explanation of gut health's influence on hormonal balance
• Details on NAC and bromelain's roles in supporting fertility
• Understanding the types of folic acid and their significance
• Emphasis on individualized care and proactive measures for fertility
Life by Dr Pat, leading innovation in fertility excellence. Deep dive into reproduction with Life by Dr Pat Fertility Diet and Supplements.
Speaker 2:Hey everyone and welcome back. We're doing a deep dive today.
Speaker 1:Fun.
Speaker 2:Into the world of preconception, health and fertility. Okay, but we're're gonna get a little twist on it this time. Okay, because we're gonna be looking at the insights from an actual fertility specialist gotcha so this is dr Pat and he has some articles and research that we are going to dive into today so good hopefully we can get some practical tips yeah, surprises that go beyond just the normal, like eat your vegetables type advice.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know, a lot of people give just really general advice. Exactly this will be good.
Speaker 2:So I'm excited to dive into this with you, yeah.
Speaker 1:This is fascinating stuff.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:Dr Pat really approaches this with a nice blend of holistic wellness, yes, but then also evidence based recommendations.
Speaker 2:Nice.
Speaker 1:So he's got kind of the best of both worlds. I like that. And he has developed his own line of preconception supplements. Okay, one's called Sheepie Plus for Women, oh wow, and then Siva Plus for Men.
Speaker 2:I was going to ask you about that, yeah. So, first of all, the names are super cool, yeah. And then the packaging too, the packaging is like a Zulejo inspired tile.
Speaker 1:It's beautiful.
Speaker 2:It's so pretty, yeah, okay. So beyond that, what is it about these supplements that makes them different, or? Right, you know stand out from the crowd.
Speaker 1:So the names are definitely eye catching.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:And they tie into kind of a deeper concept. Okay, so, in Hindu mythology, shakti represents feminine energy and power, okay, and then Shiva represents masculine energy, oh, so it seems like he is trying to emphasize the importance of both partners on this journey to parenthood.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's cool, which I think is really important.
Speaker 1:Now as far as the formulations themselves, there's a lot to be excited about.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:So, for example, Shakti Plus has CoQ10.
Speaker 2:Oh nice.
Speaker 1:It has choline, okay, and then it also has this comprehensive blend of vitamins and minerals.
Speaker 2:Okay, cool. Yeah, you have me at CoQ10, because I know that's like supposed to be good for your health in general, but what makes it? So good for fertility.
Speaker 1:So think of CoQ10 as kind of like this little powerhouse for your eggs.
Speaker 2:It's a potent antioxidant. Okay.
Speaker 1:So that means it helps protect your cells from damage. Gotcha, and there are studies that have shown.
Speaker 2:So it's not even just about getting pregnant, but also the amount of healthy eggs you have. That's incredible.
Speaker 1:So even if you're concerned about age affecting your fertility, CoQ10 could be a really big help.
Speaker 2:I love these deep dives because I always learn something new.
Speaker 1:I know me too.
Speaker 2:Okay, so then what about SIVA Plus for men?
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:What's in that?
Speaker 1:So that one includes L-carnitine, l-tartrate, okay, which is crucial for sperm health. Gotcha, it can improve sperm motility.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Helping those little swimmers reach their destination. Yes, it also has lycopene.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Vitamin C E and D and zinc, okay.
Speaker 2:So lycopene, yeah, that's the stuff in tomatoes. Right, you got it. That makes them red. Yeah, what does that do for male fertility?
Speaker 1:So lycopene and vitamin E act as antioxidants.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Which protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Speaker 2:So it's protecting the sperm.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's protecting the sperm in the egg from damage.
Speaker 2:I like to think of them like little bodyguards.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Protecting your reproductive cells.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:I love that, so it's cool that they included that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and he's really committed to quality.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:He uses high quality imported ingredients.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And he follows really stringent manufacturing standards.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I noticed that he talked about that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's really reassuring, yes, manufacturing standards yeah, I noticed that he talked about that. Yeah, it's really reassuring, yes, because you want to know that what you're taking is not only effective, but also safe, absolutely. But you know, supplements are just one piece of the puzzle.
Speaker 2:Right, he also talks about the fertility diet.
Speaker 1:I was just going to say because he also has this article about the fertility diet yes, and I thought it was really cool that he addressed both men and women it's a team effort yeah, for sure so what does this fertility diet look like?
Speaker 2:okay, so is it like all kale smoothies?
Speaker 1:not quite. And chia seeds, no, okay, he emphasizes a healthy diet okay as the cornerstone gotcha. So that means lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood okay, it's really just About nourishing your body. Yeah, with nutrient-dense foods, right, that support overall well-being.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And therefore that benefits your reproductive health.
Speaker 2:That makes sense.
Speaker 1:Instead of having you know, your typical bowl of cereal in the morning, right, maybe opt for a power pack smoothie.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:With some spinach and berries and a scoop of protein.
Speaker 2:Okay, I like that idea better than cereal.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a way to get more nutrients in, for sure, yeah.
Speaker 2:Okay, so are there specific things that we should be avoiding that maybe we don't realize?
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Kind of like secret saboteurs.
Speaker 1:He says trans fats are a no-no.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Studies have linked them to ovulation issues in women.
Speaker 2:Wow, so definitely try to steer clear of those. Interesting.
Speaker 1:Yeah, excessive caffeine and alcohol are things to watch out for.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:They can interfere with hormone balance. Makes sense, which is crucial for both men and women.
Speaker 2:So were there any other things in his fertility diet article that kind of stood out to you?
Speaker 1:Yeah, a few things things actually so for one. He recommends that women take more than one milligram of folic acid daily. Okay, now, it's not just about preventing neural tube defects. He says that folic acid also plays a huge role in egg health and maturation. Oh, so even before you conceive, it's important to make sure you're getting enough.
Speaker 2:That's a good reminder because I think a lot of people associate that with pregnancy and pre-pregnancy.
Speaker 1:Yes, and another interesting point he makes is about vitamin D levels in women.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay.
Speaker 1:Low vitamin D has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage. Wow, and it may even affect IVF success rates. Really yeah, so getting your vitamin D levels checked and supplementing if needed.
Speaker 2:Wow Okay, I didn't realize it was that important.
Speaker 1:I think it's a big one.
Speaker 2:Okay, so anything else.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he talks about soy, okay.
Speaker 2:Which is interesting? Yeah, because that's like one of those things where it's like eat it or eat it.
Speaker 1:Don't eat it, Don't eat it. Yes, exactly.
Speaker 2:So he actually cites research showing that soy consumption itself doesn't seem to impact fertility. Wow, so you can enjoy your edamame and tofu.
Speaker 1:That's good to know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I like that yeah.
Speaker 1:So it's interesting that he addresses that directly.
Speaker 2:It's good to have some clarity because, there's so much conflicting information out there.
Speaker 1:You can find anything on the Internet you can To support Any claim Totally.
Speaker 2:So I appreciate that he takes this balanced approach.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm, you know it's not it's about being perfect. It's about being perfect. It's about making healthy choices. Yeah, it's about being perfect, about being perfect. It's about making healthy choices. Yeah, as much, as much as possible.
Speaker 2:Be aware, but not stress out.
Speaker 1:Exactly Okay. So there's a couple more ingredients and topics that he covered that I want to get into. Let's do it. Should we dive into those? Yeah, let's dive in.
Speaker 2:Okay, so one that really piqued my interest was bromelain Okay.
Speaker 1:Now, I know bromelain.
Speaker 2:Okay, now I know, bromelain comes from pineapple.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But like how does eating pineapple help you get pregnant?
Speaker 1:So it's not as simple as just adding some pineapple to your diet.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Dr Pat actually recommends using a specially formulated bromelain supplement. Okay, because if you're just eating it, it's going to get broken down in your stomach before it could really have an effect.
Speaker 2:Okay, so what happens when it does make it into your system?
Speaker 1:Bromelain acts as an anti-inflammatory and an anticoagulant. Okay, so anticoagulant means it like it means it helps prevent blood clots. Oh, okay, yeah.
Speaker 2:But what does that have to do with?
Speaker 1:So think about it this way Okay. If it's thinning your blood, it could be helping to create a smoother pathway for that fertilized egg to implant.
Speaker 2:Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:And he actually compares its effects to aspirin which is often used during embryo transfer.
Speaker 2:Oh wow, I would have never thought about that.
Speaker 1:It's fascinating.
Speaker 2:But it makes so much sense given all the things we've talked about.
Speaker 1:It all ties together. Well, his approach.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it's like you're-.
Speaker 1:Exactly, it's about optimizing the entire system to create the best possible environment. I love it yeah.
Speaker 2:Okay. So, speaking of a good environment, what about the gut microbi, prebiotics and probiotics?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:So I'm always getting those mixed up.
Speaker 1:That's a common one.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so can you remind me what the difference is? Think of it this way, okay.
Speaker 1:Prebiotics are like the fertilizer.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:For your gut garden.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:They nourish the good bacteria Gotcha that live there.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Probiotics are the actual good bacteria.
Speaker 2:So you're adding good bacteria? Okay, I love that analogy. So how does this gut garden impact fertility?
Speaker 1:So Dr Pat says that a healthy gut microbiome is really important for hormonal balance. He cites a study that linked prebiotic and probiotic intake to reduced inflammation, improved egg development and better hormonal balance in women.
Speaker 2:So the health of your gut can really impact.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's incredible your hormones and egg development.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it highlights how interconnected everything is. Yeah, sure yeah. It's not just about digestion Right, it's about your whole system Supporting the entire endocrine system which is responsible for hormones.
Speaker 1:Okay, so the last one on my list of intriguing ingredients is NAC, and I want to know what that is.
Speaker 2:Okay, so NAC stands for N-Acetylcysteine.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's a powerful antioxidant that's actually used medically for things like thinning mucus and treating acetaminophen overdose.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But how does that relate to fertility?
Speaker 2:So research is still kind of emerging in this area.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:But NAC is gaining attention for its potential role in supporting liver health and detoxification processes.
Speaker 1:Okay, so that's the detox.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and your liver is a crucial organ for hormone processing.
Speaker 1:So it's like supporting the liver will do its thing. The hormones.
Speaker 2:And that can then impact fertility. That makes sense, yeah, okay. So speaking of things that can impact how your body processes nutrients, you're not going to believe what Dr Pat has to say about folic acid.
Speaker 1:Oh really.
Speaker 2:Okay, so we've talked about folic acid, but there's more to the story than just taking any old folic acid supplement Right?
Speaker 1:So Dr Pat says there are actually different forms of folic acid.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:You've got the natural form that you find in food, the synthetic form that's in, yeah, the cheaper supplements, yeah.
Speaker 2:and then there's the active form, gotcha, called l5 methyl folate okay, or MTHF, and that's the one that my doctor actually recommended I take interesting so why is that?
Speaker 1:is the active form so important?
Speaker 2:Some people have trouble converting that standard folic acid into the active form that the bodies use.
Speaker 1:And that's especially true for people with the. Mthfr gene variation.
Speaker 2:So that's where that comes in. I've heard so much about that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a common one.
Speaker 2:But I never really understood how it was connected to folic acid.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that's interesting because MTHF is the form Okay, that our bodies actually use, right? He suggests that taking a supplement. Yeah of l5 methylfolate right could be a better approach.
Speaker 2:It's like a shortcut exactly just giving your body.
Speaker 1:Just give it what it needs. Yeah, exactly yeah okay, so Is active folate more expensive.
Speaker 2:It is unfortunately. Yeah, that's a barrier for people.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it can be a barrier.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Something to talk to your doctor about.
Speaker 1:Definitely talk to your doctor.
Speaker 2:Then figure out what's best.
Speaker 1:Figure out what's best for you.
Speaker 2:Okay, well, I think this is a good place to start wrapping up.
Speaker 1:I think so too.
Speaker 2:We've covered so much. We have to start wrapping up. I think so too. We've covered so much we have.
Speaker 1:It's really amazing, it's amazing how much we can do.
Speaker 2:How much we can do.
Speaker 1:To support our fertility.
Speaker 2:Proactively to support our fertility.
Speaker 1:Even before trying to conceive.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm inspired. To make some changes.
Speaker 1:Me too.
Speaker 2:I'm going to swap out my cereal from that smoothie.
Speaker 1:Good idea.
Speaker 2:Let's recap. Okay, cap some key takeaways for everyone.
Speaker 1:So good.
Speaker 2:So, first and foremost, dr Pat is a big advocate for that two pronged approach.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Supplements and a healthy lifestyle.
Speaker 1:It's the best of both worlds.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they work together.
Speaker 1:They do.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:And for supplements. We learned about some game changers. Some big ones CoQ10 for egg quality, l-carnitine for sperm motility.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:Bromelain to help with implantation Right Pre and probiotics.
Speaker 1:For gut health.
Speaker 2:For that gut garden.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Don't forget about NAC.
Speaker 1:Right. Nac For the liver, support, supporting the liver, yeah, yeah so one of the biggest takeaways for me is Individualized care. Yes the biggest takeaways for me is individualized care.
Speaker 2:Yes, not everyone's body processes nutrients exactly, yeah, some people need active folate yeah and some people don't. And some people don't it's about working with your doctor exactly to figure out what's best for you it's about figuring out what works for you it's so cool that we have all these I know it's really these tools at our disposal.
Speaker 1:So before we sign off, Dr Pat says these strategies can improve your chances of conceiving.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:But it's not a magic bullet.
Speaker 2:Right. Fertility is complex. It's not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.
Speaker 1:But we can give ourselves the best chance.
Speaker 2:Yes, we can by taking these steps Exactly and being proactive.
Speaker 1:Knowledge is power.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, that wraps up our deep dive.
Speaker 2:It does, I'm feeling really motivated. Me too. Thank you so much for joining me.
Speaker 1:Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2:And guiding us through all this.
Speaker 1:It was my pleasure.
Speaker 2:And thank you all for listening.
Speaker 1:Yes, thank you everyone for listening.
Speaker 2:We'll catch you on the next one.
Speaker 1:We'll see you next time.
Speaker 2:See, ya, see ya.
Speaker 1:Leading Innovation. Fertility.
Speaker 2:Excellence, fertility Excellence, life by Dr Pat Leading innovation in fertility excellence.
