Autoimmunity and Fertility: How Inflammation Can Affect Your Ability to Conceive by Functional Nutritionist Nikki Burnett
Nikki Burnett, MS CNTP MNT is a Functional Nutritionist and founder of Taste Life Nutrition. Nikki works with ambitious professionals to help them overcome hidden barriers to health and success. Challenges such as pain, brain fog, low energy, anxiety, and stubborn chronic conditions frequently have their roots in unhealthy foods, lifestyle factors, and unknown inflammatory conditions.
Functional Nutrition is based on the science of functional medicine - find the root cause through functional lab testing, history, and lifestyle then create and individualized program that brings balance to the body, so it can repair. Nikki is trained, in part, by The Institute for Functional Medicine. Throughout her career, she has been in the veterinary, nutrition, and medical fields in various capacities.
Nikki is a speaker, writer, and educator. She is the host of Taste Life Nutrition Radio, streaming live on KUHSDenver.com and host of Taste Life Nutrition Podcast. Nikki also co-hosts Real, Raw Health with Matt Rowe of Parsley Pet, a weekly Facebook Live about canine health and nutrition, as well as Functional Friday, a monthly Facebook Live with her Functional Health Coach, Gabrielle Grandell.
Editor’s Note: This article is for information purposes only. Please check with your medical provider before beginning any treatment.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
Autoimmune diseases are on the rise. It is now estimated that 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease—that's 20% of our population! An autoimmune disease is an inflammatory condition where the immune system malfunctions and attacks its own tissue.
Women have a higher incidence and prevalence than men and 85% of those with multiple autoimmune diseases are women. The incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing year over year by 3-9% depending on the condition.
This is likely due to many factors, including hormonal changes, environmental toxins, food, stress, trauma, lack of exercise (or too much), infection, and many other factors.
The cause of this autoimmune reaction is not yet known, but evidence suggests that it may be related to epigenetic changes in genes involved with immunity and inflammation. Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors can affect gene expression without changing the underlying genetic code.
When a gene is turned on, it produces a protein called an enzyme. These enzymes are responsible for all the chemical reactions in the body. Enzymes can be affected by environmental factors such as stress, diet, and lifestyle choices. When these factors cause changes to the enzyme, it can lead to inflammation in the body. Inflammation can interfere with hormones, implantation of the embryo, and other biochemical processes important in conception.
Autoimmune disease is the third leading cause of infertility in women. Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive after one year of trying. It is important to note that infertility can be a symptom of many other factors besides autoimmune conditions and may be only one piece of the infertility puzzle.
Autoimmunity can impact fertility in less obvious ways, such as having a negative effect on libido. When the body is focused on fighting an autoimmune disease, it can be difficult to get in the mood. This can make it tough to conceive a baby naturally.
There are many different environmental toxins that can impact your fertility. The most common sources of environmental toxins is from our everyday products such as shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics. Chemicals in these products can mimic hormones in the body and disrupt normal hormone function. Look at the ingredients and purchase products that are free from chemicals. If you can pronounce the ingredient or it is recognizable such as herbs, it’s usually safe.
There are many natural ways to improve your fertility and increase your chances of conceiving a baby. If you have an autoimmune condition, there are specific protocols to help manage the symptoms and the condition which can increase chances of becoming pregnant.
Some of these methods include healthy food choices to include plenty of anti-inflammatory foods such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish and fish oil supplements, healthy grass-fed meat, healthy fat, lots of vegetables and some fruit. Organic is always best to help keep down toxin exposure to pesticides and herbicides. Besides creating a toxin burden on the body, they are also hormone disruptors. This fuels the flame of inflammation, autoimmune disease, and infertility.
Lifestyle modification may include a focus on sleep, stress reduction to include a prayer/meditation practice and movement that is suitable to your lifestyle. Acupuncture and herbs may also play an important role.
Depending on your specific situation, certain foods should be eliminated, even though they may seem healthy. Oftentimes foods such as legumes, nuts, seeds, and nightshades are a problem for those with an autoimmune condition and may exacerbate inflammation.
If you are trying to conceive, it is important to make sure that your body is in the best possible shape. The healthier you are, the better chance you have at conceiving a baby—and the better chance your baby will have at a successful life and create healthy future generations.
If you have been diagnosed with infertility or you’re finding getting pregnant is more difficult than expected, it is important to consider all the options. If there’s a possibility of an autoimmune condition, it’s important to find a practitioner who understands how to address the root cause.
Remember, autoimmune conditions are a symptom. Infertility is a symptom. Inflammation is a symptom. Always ask why and keep digging until you can find answers. Autoimmune conditions can often be managed well if done so properly and healthy food is a large part of that. Food is life ~ Taste Life!
Nikki Burnett: @tastelifenutrition // info@tastelifenutrition