Download Presentation - Community Acupuncture of St. Louis

Holistic Approaches to
Enhancing Your Fertility
John Schmieder
Community Acupuncture
February 2017
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Topics
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Acupuncture for Fertility
Important Nutritional Choices
Enhancing Male Fertility
Supplementation
Navigating the web of online fertility
information
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About Us
• Established in 2005, We see over 170 clients a week
• In St Louis City, near Botanical Gardens
• Sliding Scale, Clients Pay $25-$40/treatment, you
choose the amount you can afford, no questions asked
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Licensed Acupuncturists
• Master’s Degrees, including 2,000 classroom hours
plus 1,000 supervised clinical hours (3 years total)
• National Certification with NCCAOM
• Licensed by the State of Missouri
• Continuing Education:
At least 15 hours per year
• Chiropractors that are also
acupuncturists-different
requirements
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Our Team
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Five Licensed Acupuncturists
Open Monday-Saturday, evening+weekend hours
Online booking available 24/7
Over 60% of our regular fertility clients
successfully conceive and deliver healthy babies
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About Me
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Licensed in Missouri in 2005, Master’s in Acupuncture
A majority of my clients are fertility related
President Emeritus of Acupuncture Association of MO
Also own Holistic Fitness, providing massage,
reflexology and hydrotherapy in Shrewsbury
• Second career, previously MBA+CPA
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Our clients
• Most of our fertility clients are undergoing IVF or
insemination
• We see clients from all
Saint Louis fertility clinics
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How does acupuncture help fertility?
• Acupuncture improves pregnancy rates in IVF
• Sessions improve blood flow to the uterine
artery (proven with Doppler Ultrasound):
– Aids in ovulation
– Thickens uterine lining
• Acupuncture treatments can stimulate ovulation
• Treatments help regulate hormones
– Clinical improvements in FSH, LH, and progesterone
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Acupuncture & Fertility
So how do acupuncture needles do all of that?
The body reacts to the insertion of needles
• Hormones are released, including endorphins
Estrogen, Progesterone, and FSH are also improved, which
we often see in our clients’ follow up blood work
• Muscles relax, stress response decreases
• Circulation improves
• With greater relaxation, emotional issues are helped,
especially depression and anxiety
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Acupuncture throughout the Cycle
• Days 1-5: Alleviate symptoms of period, help
body replace nutrients lost during period
• Days 5-14: Stimulate ovulation with hormone
regulation, thicken lining for implantation
• Days 14-18: Ensure implantation
• Days 18-28: Encourage early pregnancy. If
not pregnant, prepare for next period
(alleviate PMS, cramping, breast tenderness,
and pain).
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Getting Started with Acupuncture
• Book a “new patient” fertility appointment
• Bring lab results, especially FSH & AMH
• Allow an hour for your session – most
patients rest for 40 minutes during treatment
• Book appointments online at www.acustl.com
or call 314-772-4325
• Most patients love their sessions, feeling
relaxed and refreshed at the same time
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Other Great Acupuncturists
Some can’t come to us in the city, here are
some alternatives. Both clinics have advanced
training in fertility
Chris Kleinschmidt, In Maplewood
www.wellbodyclinic.org
Maureen Fox, In Ballwin
www.maureenfoxacupuncture.org
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Nutrition
Well over half of my clients say that their OB/Gyn or
IVF Doctor has not had an in-depth discussion with
them on nutrition or dietary improvements.
• We are not blaming doctors here
– Physicians have very busy schedules
– Discussions with doctors focus more on hormone
levels, procedures, options & costs
Yet studies show that IVF can be far more successful
if dietary changes are made.
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Nutrition
• Dizzying array of advice online—you need a curator
• Our Favorites:
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Nutrition and Fertility
• No two experts agree 100% on nutrition
• People succeed with very different strategies:
Low Carb, Paleo, Vegan, and more
– Common ingredient is whole, unprocessed foods
• There is broad agreement on these issues:
– Reduce refined carbs to an absolute minimum
Especially pasta, bread, crackers, cookies, chips, pizza
– Vegetables should be organic when possible
– Sugar intake negatively impacts fertility
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What about Fats?
• Experts now believe fats have gotten an
undeserved bad reputation:
– Healthy fats are essential for ovulation
• Women on low fat diets have more issues ovulating
– Healthy Fat Sources include Avocado, Coconut
Oils, Olive Oils, and Omega fatty acids
– Avoid unhealthy fats like ice cream, fried foods,
palm oil, conventional dairy (non-organic)
– Look at how much weight America gained on
“low fat”, Snackwell diets
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Organics
• We know they’re expensive! But well worth it.
• Pesticides target insect’s reproduction, and ours as well
Harvard study: Men eating high pesticide vegetables had :
• HALF as many sperm in their semen
• Only two-thirds as many normal appearing sperm
• Money a factor? Consider less expensive organic sources:
Trader Joes, Costco, Sam's, Even Schnuck’s, Dierberg’s and Aldi are
increasing their organic offerings.
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Organics (Cont’d)
Avoid the “Dirty Dozen”
– If you are eating non-organic produce, avoid
these. They have higher pesticide residues:
Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines,
Strawberries, Cherries, Pears, Grapes (Imported), Spinach,
Lettuce, Potatoes
– Conventional Produce with fewer pesticides:
Not as important to go organic with these: Onions,
Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Mango, Asparagus,
Sweet Peas, Kiwi Fruit, Bananas, Cabbage, Broccoli,
Papaya
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Advanced Nutritional Counseling
Some clients will require advanced nutritional
coaching, advice, and a comprehensive plan (Gluten
intolerant, MTHFR diagnosis, struggles with weight)
Jamila Owens-Todd, Naturopath.
Has helped many of our clients.
In Webster. www.minthealth.org
Jackie Sprague, Health Coach.
Effective Advice, No Judgements.
In Shrewsbury holistichealthstl.com
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Guys:
We Need to Talk
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Guys: Doing Your Part!
Healthy Habits our Female Clients have Implemented
And, Many of the Guys Undergoing Fertility Treatments
Many Times, This Contrast is NOT an Exaggeration!
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Strategies for Men
• Antioxidants very important
– Can be improved through diet and vitamins
• Lose the gut. Belly fat disrupts hormone levels.
Male factor infertility is on the rise!
• Alcohol can be Estrogenic and disrupt
testosterone levels
• Read the research on these issues
– Healthy undergarments & avoiding hot tubs
– Cell phone impact on genital area
– Bicycling impact on sperm
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Tough News, Guys
• Is alcohol turning you into a woman?
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Guys: In Summary
• This is a TOUGH process for women, your
support and encouragement is essential!
• Two most important lifestyle steps
– Adding antioxidants: In food & vitamins
– Avoiding pesticides
• Belly fat and excessive alcohol disrupt male
hormone levels
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Fertility Supplements
Introduction
• Many fertility doctors are skeptical of supplements
– Some are skeptical based on fact, others based on
old data and lack of time to research
• TELL YOUR DOCTOR if taking supplements
– May affect dosing of injectable, oral medications
• Beware the Internet
– Lots of conflicting advice and anecdotal evidence
• Supplement industry still unregulated – Sourcing with
trusted companies still very important. Check this site:
www.consumerlab.com
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Fertility Supplements
Well Researched Fertility Supplements:
Generally, Doctors are aware of their use for
fertility and have seen published studies on them
– Vitamin D
– Coenzyme Q10
– Fish Oil / Omega 3’s
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Vitamin D
Get it Checked EARLY in your Fertility Journey!
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Vitamin D
Low Vitamin D can impact IVF
• Levels over 20 ng/mL raised odds of obtaining 3 or
more high-quality embryos
– Now, holistic practitioners target 30-50 ng/mL
– Don’t go over 100 ng/mL. Taking high doses? Get
regular blood work.
• Successful embryo implantation also improved
• Clinical pregnancy rates were also better
Source: Article published online 8/14/16 regarding an Italian
Study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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Supplementing Vitamin D
• Get healthy levels of sunlight
– Conflicting medical opinions, do research and
find your comfort level (drhyman.com)
– Increase intake of foods with “D” (previous slide)
– Find a safe source of Vitamin D supplements
Resources: Amy Myers, MD website, “The Vitamin D
Solution”, book by Michael Holick and Dr. Andrew Weil
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Coenzyme Q-10
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Coenzyme Q-10 (Ubiquinol)
• Co-Q10 is a fuel source for our cells and an
antioxidant.
• Also found in red meat, poultry, fish & dairy
• If using a supplement pill, take with a fatty meal to
improve absorption
• Research has improved—IVF centers previously
dismissed it and now are recommending its use
• Check with your MD before using during a cycle
• As with any supplement, this takes time to work—
plan to take for at least 12 weeks for maximum
effectiveness
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Coenzyme Q-10 (Continued)
• Some studies have shown improved
reproduction when taking Co-Q10
• Anecdotal evidence shows Co-Q10 helping
egg quality, more widespread studies are
needed
• Some studies have shown Co-Q10 helping
with sperm
• Experts recommend taking for at least three
months to experience results, 200-300mg/day
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Coenzyme Q-10 (Continued)
• Protects ovarian reserve from oxidative stress in
mice
– Ozcan et al, ASRM 2015: P-437
• Improves oocyte metabolism and spindle
alignment
– Boots et al, ASRM 2015:O-15
• Delayed depletion of ovarian reserve, restored
gene expression, activity
– Ben-Meir et al, Aging Cell 2015: 887-895
• Improves sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation
– Gaul-Frau et al, Human Fertility 2015:225-229
– LaFuente et al, J Assist Reprod Genet 2013: 1147-1156
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Helpful during pregnancy and also during
breastfeeding.
• During pregnancy, omega-3s are a critical building
block of the fetal brain, eyes, and nervous system.
• After baby is born, omega-3s support brain
development and immune function, while also
supporting healthy postpartum mood and well being
for moms.
• We cannot produce them on our own, so we must
consume omega-3s through diet or supplementation.
Source: http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/omega-3-fatty-acidsfaqs/
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Cont’d)
For Fertility, Omega-3 Fatty Acids do the following:
• Regulate reproductive hormones
• Increase blood flow to uterus, help uterine lining
• Reduce inflammation, very important for the pelvic area
• Reduce sensitivity to prolactin, which can limit ovulation
• Increase cervical mucus, needed for sperm to reach egg
• Normalize a woman’s cycle
• Help with fetal cognitive development
• Help reduce natural killer cells
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Cont’d)
• Foods which contain Omega-3s
– Wild salmon, sardines, and herring (Mercury-Free
Only!)
– Walnuts, Pumpkin seeds, grass-fed eggs
• Fish Oil Supplements
– Check for DHA & EPA. Most sources suggest 200 to
300 milligrams of DHA a day, & 220 milligrams of EPA
– Find a USP Certified Fish Oil (United States
Pharmacy). Sets standards to reduce mercury and
pesticides. Nordic Naturals is USP certified.
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In Conclusion: Fertility Supplements
• The safest choices with the best clinical
research data:
– Vitamin D
– Coenzyme Q10
– Fish Oil / Omega 3’s
• Notify Your Doctor if Taking Supplements
• High Quality is important---not all suppliers
are reputable.
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Ladies:
We Need to Talk
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Patients Researching
on the Internet
Also known as “Dr. Google”
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Be Careful: It’s a Jungle Out There!
Previously, fertility information was hard to find online.
• Now, there’s too much!
• And much of it isn’t based on research.
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Trustworthy Information Sources
• Many blogs and forums aren’t research based.
• Don’t change diet and supplements based on hearsay.
• Here are some trustworthy websites:
– http://www.reproductivefacts.org/Headlines/ Data
formatted for patients (less medical jargon) by the American
Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
– http://americanpregnancy.org/ Non-Profit American
Pregnancy Association. While they do accept advertising,
their information is well researched, and much more
informed than chat rooms.
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Trustworthy Information Sources
More Good Sources:
• www.cincinnatifertility.com/holistic-treatment/fertility-diet Good
nutritional and lifestyle advice, prepared by medical professionals
• www.pcosnutrition.com. Generally scientifically based, check their
references
• http://www.fertilityafter40.com/vitamins--supplements.html.
Generally scientifically based information, but not all
recommended supplements have research studies
• www.scholar.google.com Look up your particular question here.
Results will tend to be from clinical studies, not from anecdotes or
blogs
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Thanks for Your Interest!
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