Tag: pregnancy

4 Supplements for Women’s Health

March 19th, 2013 by Paula Gallagher

I like to keep everything in my life simple, including what supplements I take. Aside from a multivitamin and an essential fatty acid (which almost everyone should take), there are a few more nutrients that are critical, especially for women. Many of these can be achieved through a healthy diet, but sometimes even that is not enough.

Here are some supplements that you might consider.

Iron
Iron deficiency can be very common in women of childbearing age, leading to fatigue. A simple supplemental iron can help to boost energy levels in women with low iron levels. You can ask your health care practitioner if you’d like to get your iron tested. If you decide to take supplemental iron, check for one that has vitamin C to help boost absorption.  Continue reading “4 Supplements for Women’s Health”

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Supplements to Increase Fertility

July 24th, 2012 by Paula Gallagher

After last week’s blog about fertility and diet, I received a number of emails about what else could be done to help boost fertility in women. I spoke to an herbalist and a naturopath about what supplements could safely be taken to help increase the chances of ovulation and conception, and this is what was recommended.

Chaste berry is an herb that helps improve ovulation and progesterone balance.

Vitamins B6 and B12, iron, magnesium, selenium and zinc have all shown to improve fertility. A good prenatal supplement contains all of these important nutrients and can be taken while you are trying to conceive.

L-arginine is an amino acid that helps improve blood circulation to reproductive organs for better egg development and embryo implantation.

Vitamins E and C are particularly important for women with endometriosis. These antioxidants reduce inflammation that may prevent fertilization.  Continue reading “Supplements to Increase Fertility”

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Prenatal Vitamins Linked to Decreased Autism

December 13th, 2011 by Paula Gallagher

Thinking of becoming pregnant? Well, don’t wait until the two pink lines show up on your home pregnancy test to start preparing. It’s important for a woman to start taking a good quality prenatal that contains 800 mg of folic acid as well as iron, calcium and vitamin D3, as soon as she starts trying to conceive (and ideally 3 months before conceiving).

Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated vitamins that help support a woman’s body during pregnancy. The most important reason in the past to take a prenatal was for the increased amount of folic acid. Folic acid combined with a B group vitamin, not only before pregnancy, but during, significantly reduces the possibility of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. This condition can develop in an embryo very early in pregnancy, perhaps even before a woman knows she is carrying a fetus.

However, a recent study has given even more importance to prenatal vitamins. Continue reading “Prenatal Vitamins Linked to Decreased Autism”

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Flossing Can Affect Fertility

November 2nd, 2011 by Paula Gallagher

New research out of the University of Western Australia links oral health to fertility. Flossing, brushing your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly are all important when trying to conceive. The study looked at 3500 women and found that poor oral health causes inflammation and can delay conception by about two months.

If your gums are pale or bleed when you brush you may already have gum disease. Aside from seeing your dentist, brushing and flossing, a mouth wash or rinse can also be very beneficial. Pathway GUM TONIC is an herbal formula that helps strengthen gum tissue with its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. Ingredients include goldenseal root, bayberry root bark, prickly ash, myrrh gum, and coptis root. Mix 1 dropperful in a small amount of water and rinse. Not only is this formula great for gums, but it is also helpful for painful canker sores too.

 

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