Fertility in Crisis: Exploring the Toxic Threats to Fertility and the Rise in Infertility

Mark Hyman

Apr 26, 2024

Episode description

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Infertility is a significant challenge for many couples, with statistics now showing that one in six couples face difficulties conceiving. What was previously perceived primarily as a woman's issue is now recognized as a shared concern between partners. In today’s episode, we'll explore the factors in our modern environment contributing to this growing problem.

In this episode, we’ll explore what’s driving this infertility epidemic and a step-by-step Functional Medicine protocol for correcting hormonal imbalances and elevating overall health through targeted dietary choices, lifestyle changes, and the strategic use of supplements. Tune in for a comprehensive approach to addressing infertility from the inside out.

In this episode, I discuss:

The fertility crisis (4:03)
Top drivers of the global decline in fertility (7:01)
How sugar can cause hormonal imbalances (7:36)
Chronic inflammation and trouble conceiving (9:46)
The role of the gut microbiome (12:50)
Conventional Medicine fails to get to the root cause of infertility (17:12)
The Functional Medicine approach to infertility (19:33)
The importance of testing and correcting nutrient deficiencies (20:21)
Hormones to test and why (26:59)
Step-by-step protocol to support fertility (34:32)
Choosing the right prenatal supplement (44:59)

This episode is brought to you by AG1, Momentous, and Cymbiotika.

Get your daily serving of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and more with AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hyman and get a year’s worth of D3 and 5 Travel Packs for FREE with your first order.

Head over to LiveMomentous.com/Mark for 20% off creatine, collagen, and all of their best-in-class products.

Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.

Episode description

View the Show Notes From This Episode

Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

In this episode, I discuss:

The fertility crisis (4:03)
Top drivers of the global decline in fertility (7:01)
How sugar can cause hormonal imbalances (7:36)
Chronic inflammation and trouble conceiving (9:46)
The role of the gut microbiome (12:50)
Conventional Medicine fails to get to the root cause of infertility (17:12)
The Functional Medicine approach to infertility (19:33)
The importance of testing and correcting nutrient deficiencies (20:21)
Hormones to test and why (26:59)
Step-by-step protocol to support fertility (34:32)
Choosing the right prenatal supplement (44:59)

This episode is brought to you by AG1, Momentous, and Cymbiotika.

Get your daily serving of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and more with AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hyman and get a year’s worth of D3 and 5 Travel Packs for FREE with your first order.

Head over to LiveMomentous.com/Mark for 20% off creatine, collagen, and all of their best-in-class products.

Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Prioritize prenatal vitamins to enhance sperm quality and volume

Men should also take prenatal vitamins, or at least key nutrients like folate, B12, and antioxidants, to support sperm quality and volume.

#sperm

#supplement

Consider WeNatal prenatal vitamins for men and women

The speaker recommends a specific brand of prenatal vitamins designed for both men and women called WeNatal.

#fertility

#supplement

Reduce stress to enhance conception chances

Women who report being more stressed during their ovulatory window are 45% less likely to conceive.

#fertility

#stress

Avoid plastic water bottles to reduce toxic exposure

A recent study found that a single liter plastic water bottle can contain 240,000 detectable plastic fragments, which is 100 times more than previously estimated.

#plastic

#toxin

Boost sperm health with two handfuls of nuts daily

A study found that men who ate two handfuls of mixed nuts daily for 14 weeks improved their sperm count, motility, and DNA methylation.

#nutrition

#sperm

Boost pregnancy success with dietary antioxidants

Studies show that high levels of dietary antioxidants can increase the chance of a successful pregnancy by up to five times.

#antioxidants

#fertility

Address gut bacteria to prevent estrogen reabsorption and hormone imbalance

Certain bad gut bacteria produce an enzyme that unpacks estrogen your body has already excreted, causing it to be reabsorbed and leading to hormone imbalance.