Pregnancy

One of the greatest undertakings in human life is the duty of parents to bring forth the gift of life. The conception and birth of a child can be a cherished dream from childhood, and rightly so, as it is one of the most beautiful experiences in life.  My wish is to increase the likelihood of having pleasant pregnancy by improving fertility, nutrient delivery to the fetus, bile support and bringing light to synthetic nutrients ruining these odds for all. I hope that the tools and practices outlined here can be of assistance to you.

Here are a few important factors that, if implemented six months prior to or at any time during pregnancy, can aid with gestation, nursing and beyond. While beneficial for all stages of life, they are especially relevant for those who are expecting or planning to become pregnant.

The Incredible Importance of Minerals

Due to the impact of industrial farming, our soils no longer provide the minerals required for a robust pregnancy. This and increased omega 6 from oil crops like corn and soy are the two leading contributing factors for the development of disease. Therefore pregnancy is significantly impacted by them. www.livefresh.me/minerals is your cheat sheet for understanding the true power of minerals. www.livefresh.me/food/omega6 is your cheat sheet for understanding the destructive forces of omega 6 overload.

A high quality multi-mineral can be obtained for cheap and effective replenishment of stores.

Magnesium Chloride can be obtained very cheaply and placed in a spray bottle. Spray it in the armpits and soles of the feet where pores are largest. Magnesium Chloride foot baths can be an excellent way to rapidly boost magnesium levels in the body.

Lugols Iodine

Its not a brand, but many brands sell lugols. It provides a mix of elemental iodine and potassium iodide. You've likely heard of iodine and its potential for neuro and cognitive development in babies and children. Little do people know it is actually essential for ALL stages of life and for proper thyroid function. Iodine is a structural component of our thyroid hormones and selenium is a major cofactor in their activation. Iodine has been shown in studies to improve IQ by more than 10% when used during pregnancy. That could be the difference between your baby being the next Einstein or simply having a higher level of intelligence and focus.

The Dangers of Vitamin A

Vitamin A, it can be found both in the form of retinol palmitate, retinol and beta-carotene in prenatal and multivitamin supplements. Under no circumstance is it advisable that a pregnant or preparing to be become pregnant women should take supplemental A. It is already found in huge quantities in plants, added to 1 and 2 % milk, added to butter, added to cereals in the US and also added to some flours in the US. Vitamin A is well known for contributing to birth defects in children. It can also be a major contributing factor towards cradle cap, child eczema, immune issues, excessive spit up and irregular sleep patterns in infancy. Children have very small livers and low capacity to store A, overwhelm this and the body converts retinol to retinoic acid at a very high ratio causing DNA damage (repairable if dealt with early in life). Be aware of the amount of vitamin A you are getting and lower exposure if needed. Consult www.livefresh.me/a for more on this topic.

Difference Between Folic Acid and Methyl Folate

A synthetic ingredient commonly found in prenatal vitamins prescribed by doctors today, unfortunately highlights our limited understanding of the effects of synthetic vitamins present in both the food chain and prenatal supplements. Choosing prenatal vitamins that contain moderate amounts of methyl folate instead of folic acid can greatly benefit you. Folic acid can have detrimental effects on both the mother and fetus as it blocks folate receptors and is poorly processed by the body, leading to significant problems in methylation pathways and more. But what exactly is methylation? It is a biological process that the body utilizes to activate or deactivate genes when necessary. Imagine having malfunctioning light switches throughout your entire house that only work intermittently or have delayed responses. This is analogous to what happens in the body, where certain functions may not be able to operate optimally at the desired time. This can lead to serious complications. Natural folate, on the other hand, can be obtained from sources such as leafy greens, white potatoes, white rice. It's worth mentioning that approximately a quarter of the population possesses genetic variations in the MTHFR gene group, which can significantly affect folate metabolism, particularly towards the slower end. Another quarter of the population has less severe but still problematic variations in the MTHFR gene, which also impacts folate metabolism. It is crucial to note that synthetic folic acid ingestion can affect everyone, regardless of their genetic variations.

Bile Flow and Preventing Cholestasis

Choline, a crucial nutrient during pregnancy and breastfeeding, plays a key role in fetal development. Opting for pasture-raised ruminant animal meat can significantly boost your choline intake, as these animals are the richest source of choline by far. Moreover, the choline found in animal sources is more readily bioavailable to the body compared to plant-based sources. Pastured eggs are another excellent choline source, and it's important to note that most of the choline is concentrated in the yolks, so don't discard them. 

Choline deficiency is prevalent among pregnant and breastfeeding women as it is a nutrient that is high demand in these stages. Deficiencies can lead to developmental delays in various aspects of fetal growth. It can also contribute to mastitis. When choline consumption is insufficient, the body must undergo an energy-intensive process to produce its own phosphatidylcholine, involving multiple genes, enzymes, and nutrients. The expression of the PEMT enzyme, which is influenced by a group of genes, can further complicate choline deficiency. However, even in cases with severe PEMT variations, mastitis can still be prevented by consuming adequate choline and natural folate. Additionally, choline plays a significant role as the primary ingredient used by the liver to produce bile. Cholestasis, a common condition during pregnancy, can be entirely preventable. Vitamin E may also aid functioning of the PEMT enzyme and the prevention of cholestasis.

Best Practices to Support Anti-Oxidant Balance

Glutathione, the often overlooked yet vital master antioxidant of the body, it plays a crucial role in supporting overall health and well-being. Prioritizing our own production of glutathione is of paramount importance. Glutathione is the result of the body combining three nutrients -> glutamic acid, glycine and cysteine. 

These are amino acids --> proteins --> they are found in their most bioavailable forms in animal products. 

• Glutamic acid is found primarily in red meat, fish and poultry. 

• Glycine is found primarily in collagenous tissue, cartilage and bone broth. 

• Cysteine is found primarily in eggs but also meat, dairy and garlic & onions. (cook garlic & onions well)

• Magnesium Chloride baths can be a great way to boost levels, important for more than 3000 enzyme process's including glutathione.

• Riboflavin, Selenium, Molybdenum etc.

Catching Rays

Walking, exposure to nature, pleasant experiences and sun rays are important for maintaining stress, overall mood, glutathione and vitamin D levels. Many studies show a reduction in levels of depression with  exposure to the outdoors and sun light full of infrared spectrum. The same was shown for face to face connection. Sometimes these simplest of things can have the greatest impact on pregnancy outcomes.

Indoor Air Quality

 is important for liver and kidney health, therefore certain air born pathogens like mold can lead nutrient deficiencies. To mitigate these risks, it is important to take steps to detoxify your environment in preparation for pregnancy. This is because the body's natural detoxification processes are regulated differently during pregnancy. To minimize exposure to mold, inspect your home for its presence, maintain humidity levels below 50%, and purchase a HEPA filter for the sleeping quarters. Additionally, certain foods, both natural and processed, can contain high levels of aflatoxin, with peanut butter being a notable example. Mold and other biotoxins found in the air and water of water-damaged buildings can have significant physiological effects on the body, particularly for the 25% of the population that is most susceptible. 

Combining these practices can greatly reduce the risk for cholestasis, mastitis, morning sickness, gestational diabetes, anemia, fatigue and many more common ailments experienced during pregnancy. For those at risk and not at risk of miscarriage these practices are critical for its prevention. Not surprisingly these practices can also massively increase fertility and increase the odds a couple will conceive.

Simplest Supplement and Food Recommendations

See my food guide on the home page by clicking the button below or send me a DM on X for my latest recommendations. Supplement philosophy under nutrition also has some up to date recommendations.