ways to improve fertility

There are a few simple things you can do to up your chances of becoming pregnant. First, eat a diet rich in whole foods. I recommend focusing on "foods of color," whole grains, and small quantities of free-range/organic meats. Try to eat organic foods whenever possible to avoid unwanted chemical & hormone intake. Second, take a high-quality multivitamin and mineral combo every day. The vitamin should be high in folic acid, and I highly recommend taking fish oils before and during pregnancy. Third, exercise regularly. Brisk walking or yoga are excellent ways to keep fit before & during pregnancy.

foods to lift moods

There are a number of foods that are really good bad mood busters. They include: (1) leafy greens: spinach, chard, and collards are rich in folate, a B vitamin linked to mood disorders in people with deficiencies. B vitamin deficiency can make you feel irritable, and you need B vitamins to produce mood regulating neurotransmitters like seratonin, the body's feel-good chemical. (2) Nuts: walnuts and flax contain omega 3 fatty acids, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds have magnesium. Omega 3's have been shown to help depression, and magnesium helps relax the body an dsoothe the mind. Magnesium deficiency manifests as fatigue, irritability & mood swings. (3) Fish: Tuna has niacin, which is an anti-anxiety B vitamin. Salmon and sardines are high in Omega 3's, but you will get much more of these anti-depression fatty acids by taking fish oils. (4) Beans: stabilize glucose levels to help prevent mood swings, and are high in magnesium and the B vitamins listed above, which relax the body and mind.

eating fish is safe enough!

Some people have expressed concern with eating fish for their Omega 3 fatty acids, given the levels of dioxins, PCBs & mercury in the oceans & rivers. Well, I am happy to report that a new study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that one to two weekly servings of fish reduced the risk of coronary heart disease death by 36% and all-cause mortality by 1%. The authors concluded that any risks associated with regular fish consumption are far oughtweighed by the benefits. JAMA 2006 Oct 18;296(15):1885-99.