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To increase the chances of becoming pregnant, first of all it is important to ensure that the weight of the future pregnant woman is adequate, as obesity or underweight can impair the production of hormones that guarantee fertility and a healthy pregnancy.
Another important factor is to ensure the intake of nutrients necessary for the egg maturing cycle, such as vitamin B6 and B12, found in beans and lentils, for example. It is also recommended to supplement iron and folic acid, to increase blood flow in Organs sexual organs, ensure the quality of oxygen transport to the baby during pregnancy and assist in the initial development, avoiding malformations and spontaneous abortion.
In addition, in men the healthy and balanced diet, rich in selenium present in tuna for example, is related to the formation of healthy sperm and the production of testosterone, which is the main male fertility hormone.
Including some of these foods in daily consumption can help the couple to complete the nutrients necessary for maintaining fertility, increasing the chances of becoming pregnant, such as:
1. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits like orange, lemon, tangerine and pineapple are rich in vitamin C, calcium and potassium, which help to stabilize the menstrual cycle, facilitating the identification of the fertile period, which is the most suitable time to have sex. In addition, the orange has polyamine and folate that help to deactivate free radicals that can damage sperm and eggs.
2. Aged cheese
Aged cheeses such as parmesan and provolone, maintain the good health of eggs and sperm because they are rich in polyamines, preventing free radicals from causing damage to reproductive cells.
3. Beans and lentils
These foods are rich in fiber, iron, zinc and folate, which help in the production and balance of sex hormones. In addition to containing sperm polyamine, which are regulators of healthy sperm development, facilitating egg fertilization.
4. Salmon and tuna
Salmon and tuna are a great source of selenium which is a nutrient involved in the proper formation of the sperm's tail, which is the main responsible for the good performance of the speed to reach the egg. In addition to having omega-3, which is essential for the proper development of the baby's brain in the first weeks of pregnancy.
5. Red fruits
Red fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, cherries and blackberries have lycopene, an antioxidant that reduces the levels of free radicals that can damage sperm and eggs.
6. Green leaves
Dark vegetables such as kale, spinach, romaine and arugula are rich in iron and folate, which can improve the ovulation process and reduce the chances of genetic problems and miscarriage. They still have iron, an important mineral for the transport of oxygen in the body and essential for the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus.
7. Sunflower seed
The roasted sunflower seed is rich in vitamin E, which can help sperm motility, that is, help speed. In addition to being rich in zinc, folate, selenium, omega 3 and 6, essential nutrients for female and male fertility, as they increase blood flow in Organs reproductive organs.
What to avoid to get pregnant faster
Some habits can interfere with the process of starting and taking a pregnancy to the end, and therefore are not recommended, such as:
- Consume fried foods, margarines and processed products: these foods may contain trans fats, which are associated with infertility because they cause defects in the structure of the sperm and in the quality of the egg;
- High consumption of refined carbohydrates: foods such as pasta, bread and white rice when absorbed into the body, increase the level of insulin in the blood, which is chemically similar to ovarian hormones. So the body can reduce the production of these hormones, because it understands that it already has them, and this results in immature eggs;
- Consuming caffeine: caffeine reduces the absorption of calcium and iron in the body, which can impair fertility, in addition, because it is a stimulant with the ability to cross the placenta barrier, in pregnancy, caffeine can alter the heartbeat and the baby's metabolism, increasing the chances of low birth weight and miscarriage;
- Alcoholic beverages: alcohol consumption reduces the level of testosterone in men, decreasing sperm production, and in women it can interrupt the menstrual cycle, which prevents the egg from being available for fertilization;
- Make use of medications without medical advice: self-medication can interfere with fertility by deregulating hormones necessary for the maturation of the egg and sperm.
If the couple within a year has not been able to conceive, it is recommended to seek a doctor who will check through blood, urine and semen samples if there are any STIs or hormonal disorders, which are making conception difficult.
After these tests, if necessary, the couple will be referred to a fertility specialist, who can order an ultrasound, for example, to look at the ovaries and testicles.