The benefits of Eating Organic When Trying to Get Pregnant

Organic foods are better for you for so many reasons… including protecting your fertility.

When you choose organic produce, one of the great benefits is that you are limiting your exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals found in pesticides, but there are so many more benefits that have an impact overall health and fertility, increases your chances of conceiving. Here are just a few more important benefits of eating organic food when trying to get pregnant:

1. More Antioxidants In Organic Food = Better Egg and Sperm Health
A recent study, published October 2015 in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that organic foods have higher antioxidant levels and lower heavy metal concentrations, the equivalent to eating 1-2 extra portions of fruit and veggies a day actually!

Antioxidants protect cellular health from free radicals, and since every part of the body is made up of cells, including eggs and sperm, this is great news for fertility! Antioxidants have also been shown to help protect the DNA contained within our cells. Both cellular and DNA integrity are vital for a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby.

2. Avoid Consumption of GMOs By Choosing Organic
Genetically modified (GM) foods are commonly known as GMOs (genetically modified organisms). GM foods are widely prevalent, accounting for our most consumed food crops such as corn, soy, canola, sugar beets, and many others. These GMOs are genetically altered to be resistant to pesticides. GMOs have been linked to a variety of health conditions, including infertility. Not only is the genetic makeup of the plants modified to withstand herbicides and pesticides, they are heavily sprayed with both, giving the human body a double whammy of toxin exposure.

GMO consumption has been shown to indirectly cause hormonal imbalances, sexual dysfunction, lowered immunity, liver and kidney problems, and digestive issues, all of which greatly impact fertility.

3. Protect Your Hormone Health
Pesticide and GMO-laden crops are used to feed conventionally raised meat and dairy. Many chemicals in pesticides are known xenohormones, which mimic and exert a strong hormone-like effect on the body. Xenohormones are known endocrine system disruptors; the endocrine system controls and manufactures hormones. Altering this system in any way can lead to hormonal imbalance.

On top of this, animals farmed for conventional meats are often given synthetic growth hormones in order to “fatten them up”. When you eat the meat or dairy from these animals, you are consuming these synthetic hormones.

When purchasing meat and dairy products, choose organic, grass-fed and cage-free options.

4. Protect Brain and Nervous System Development in Your Baby
A powerful chemical in pesticides, called organophosphorus (OP), has been found in the human body and it is thought that 80% of that organophosphorus comes from pesticide-coated foods. It is a well-known fact that OP is a neurotoxin and people exposed to high levels of OP may experience grave health problems and even death.

A 2011 report showed a correlation between pregnant agriculture workers exposed to OP and the cognitive and behavioural development of their young children. The children of women with higher concentrations of OPs in pregnancy (as measured by dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites in urine) were shown to have poorer intellectual development and a greater incidence of behavioural issues such as ADHD, as they grew up. The results of this research have prompted a request for further research into the effects of OPs from long-term exposure.

Developing babies and young children’s bodies are not yet mature enough to filter out and handle toxin exposure. They are highly sensitive to neurotoxins. Any exposure could potentially be harmful. By choosing to eat organic produce, you are going to be supporting your baby’s brain and nervous system development!