Seasonal Summer Eats- Ravishing Radishes

In my quest to eat local, seasonal produce, I recently found a wonderful resourse I'd like to share with everyone- it is a link through NRDC- Natural Resources Defense Council.  Their website has a great link for discovering what is in season in your area- here is the link.


According to the NRDC, late June in New York brings us this cornucopia of fresh produce:

• Beans
• Broccoli 
• Cabbage
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Rhubarbs
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Summer Squash
• Sweet Cherries

One item on this list that I've never eaten much is the radish- besides salads, what can I use them in?  They seem so appealing this time of the year- cool, crisp, and peppery.  The classic snack of raw radish slices with butter and salt never fails, but I found a few other interesting recipes that I intend to try soon.

First, Quick Radish Pickles- pickling doesn't have to take weeks- these are done in 2 hours! 

Second, try Spring Radishes Braised with Shallots and Vinegar.  I absolutely love braised vegetables- quickly browned then cooked in a little liquid till tender on the inside, crispy outside.

Health Notes:

Radishes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and Potassium.  They benefit the liver and the gallbladder via increasing the flow of bile, thereby improving digestion.  Traditional Chinese Medical wisdom would agree! The Radish Seed is called Lai Fu Zi and is in the category of "herbs that relieve food stagnation."  Food stagnation is pretty much what it sounds like- you eat too much (usually not so healthy) food and feel bloated or otherwise uncomfortable for a few days.  Lai Fu Zi helps eliminate distention and fullness, avid reflux, or abdominal pain.  

How exactly does acupuncture help with IVF success rates?

You may have heard that acupuncture can increase the success rate of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization).  How exactly does it help?  Research has shown that there are several factors.

1)  Increased blood flow to the uterus- this can result in thicker endometrial (uterine) lining as well as a higher quality lining.  Although there is some debate about exact numbers, usually if the lining is less than 6mm it is considered "too thin".  Lining just before ovulation should be about 8-13 mm thick- and will continue to get thicker up until your period begins.  Quantity isn't the only important factor- the quality is also vital. Research has shown that healthy endometrial linings have three distinct layers; without these three layers there can be problems with implantation.  If conception does not take place, the "trilaminar (three layered) appearance" usually disappears within 48 hours of ovulation.

2)  Reduction in stress hormones such as prolactin and cortisol-  when these hormones are present at elevated levels, your normal "healthy" hormones can't function normally.

3)  Decrease in smooth muscle contractions following embryo transfer- small contractions in the uterine musculature could make implantation less likely.  This is the same line of reasoning Reproductive Endocrinologists use when deciding whether to give their patients a low dose of Valium prior to transfer- many times a relaxed mind= relaxed body.

4)  Impact FSH, LH, and Estradiol and Progesterone levels- studies have shown that FSH can be lowered and other hormones are brought closer to normal range after a course of acupuncture.

5)  Increase endorphin production, thereby modulating the release of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)- endorphins are a compound produced by the pituitary gland which act as natural pain relievers as well as produce a feeling of well being.  Research has shown that they have an effect on GnRH- the hormone responsible for production of FSH and LH.

Clinically, I find that women undergoing IVF cycles experience less anxiety and stress overall as well as notice that unpleasant side effects of medications are decreased.  In addition, if women are able to take herbs for 1-3 months prior to an IVF cycle, I have seen more eggs retrieved and thicker endometrium.

If you are interested in getting acupuncture in conjunction with your IVF cycle, please contact me for more information via my website: http://www.susanwallmeyer-acupuncture.com/

Foods That Could Decrease Fertility

Recently I discovered a blog called Nourished Kitchen- if you are trying to eat local, fresh, organic foods this is the best resource I have found!  They have lots of great recipes and articles, but one that caught my attention is regarding what foods to avoid when trying to get pregnant.  These are all foods that aren't ideal at any time, but have been shown to have a specific impact on fertility.  While any one of these foods probably won't be the single determinant in whether or not you are able to get pregnant, they should be considered in your overall plan for a healthier lifestyle.

1)  Gluten- if your digestion is sensitive to gluten (a protein found in wheat, spelt, barley, and rye) this may lead to malabsorbtion of other nutrients essential for reproductive health.  The incidence of gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease is higher in women diagnosed with unexplained infertility than that of the general population.

2)  Low-Fat or Nonfat Dairy Products- in a study of 18,000 women, it was found that skim and low-fat dairy products may actually increase the risk of anovulatory infertility, while full-fat dairy products actually decrease the risk of infertility.*  This seems to run counter to what we've always heard- low fat is always better, right?   Butterfat actually contains nutrients not present in low fat dairy, such as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.  If eaten in moderation, foods such as cream, butter, and full fat milk may be better for your health.

3)  Soy- soy contains xenoestrogens- plant hormones that interfere with your body's normal estrogen balance.  Soy isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein have been shown to interfere with the production of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), the hormone which is produced by a developing embryo.**  It has a vital role in ensuring the health of the fetus early in development.  Avoid foods which list soy, soy lecithin, soy protein, soy flour, and texturized vegetable protein (TVP) as ingredients.  Obviously one should avoid soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes such as tofu.

4)  Refined Sugar- this is a definite food to avoid, especially for women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome- a condition marked by irregular, anovulatory cycles).  Consuming refined sugar creates a temporary spike in blood glucose levels, which then leads to an increase in insulin levels.  Over time, elevated levels of insulin lead to insulin resistance.  I have seen clinically that many women diagnosed with insulin resistant PCOS are able to manage their condition through diet, without neccessarily having to take Metformin (a drug to lower insulin levels).  Even for women without PCOS, following a low-glycemic diet that limits consumption of refined sugars may improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes*.  This includes avoiding not just candy and ice cream, but simple carbohydrates such as white bread, juices, and soda.

5) Coffee and Sodas-  I tell patients that if they must consume caffeine, do so in moderation- try to limit it to one cup per day.  Specifically you should know that caffeine can decrease blood flow to the uterus and may increase the risk of miscarriage.  It increases anxiety levels, which can lead to increased stress hormone production.  These stress hormones (cortisol and prolactin) can have quite an effect on your body's normal hormone levels, which can lead to things like delayed ovulation.  In addition, since caffeine is a diuretic it can lead to decreased production of fertile cervical fluid.

To re-iterate, I encourage everyone to adopt a diet rich in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fruit, and with moderate amounts of meat and dairy (all organic where possible).  Avoid all processed foods (yes even those frozen organic enchiladas from Trader Joe's are processed) and eat foods that are fresh and in season- these are the foods with the most bang for your buck nutrition-wise. 


*Source: Chavarro et al. A prospective study of dairy foods intake and anovulatory infertility. Human Reproduction. 2007. May.
**Source:  Jeschke et al. Effects of phytoestrogens genistein daidzein on production of human chorionc gonadotropin in term trophoblast cells in vitro. Gynecological Endocrinology. 2005. September.