Fertility Diet: Is the Ketogenic Diet The Answer?

A well-formulated, very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet seems to be a safe and effective dietary strategy when trying to conceive, especially for those experiencing infertility. Infertility occurs when a woman experiences multiple miscarriages, or cannot get pregnant despite having regular, strategically timed unprotected sex for one year. Infertility is estimated to affect 10-15% of people living in industrialized countries and, specifically, 12% of women of reproductive age (15-44) in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  However, infertility can affect both men and women. Possible Causes of Infertility Pre-Conception Weight Research shows that pre-conception weight is a primary determinant of pregnancy outcomes [1].  Central obesity (excessive adipose tissue partitioned to the abdominal area) negatively affects fertility in both men and women [2].  Women with a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m2, which is classified as clinical obesity, are three times more likely to experience natural menstrual cycle disruptions than women with a normal BMI (a BMI between 18.5-24.9) [3].  Also, overweight or obese women (BMI ? 25 kg/m2) take longer […]…