Excess fat effects fertility

BY JULIE SEAMER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

Being overweight impairs fertility and is a common cause of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, toxaemia, low birth weight and premature birth. If you are overweight and struggling to conceive these can be very sobering facts to hear… What better inspiration to get more active this Spring and lose a few kilos for all-round better health?

Although the exact mechanisms of how obesity affects fertility are not well understood, there is an apparent insulin-mediated hyper stimulation of ovarian steroid production and decreased sex hormone. Obesity has also been associated with an increased risk of early pregnancy loss after IVF. Excess weight could exert its effects this way by either acting on the ovaries which produce eggs, or on the endometrium where the fertilized egg implants.

Aiming toward being a healthy weight is really beneficial for improved ovulatory function and your chances of getting pregnant. The "side effects" aren't so bad, either, given that slimming down may improve insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and cholesterol levels etc. Obviously diet will play a keep factor in losing the weight and keeping it off. Aussie Bodies Slim range of whey protein enhanced products provide satiety to keep the hunger pangs at bay while fueling muscles for exercise, recovery from exercise, and an overall reduced body fat level.

As body mass index (BMI) increases, the pregnancy success rate declines. It has been said that the range of BMIs from 20 to 24 are the fertility zone. If you aren't in or near the zone, working to move your BMI in that direction by gaining or losing some weight should increase your chances of conceiving. Relatively small changes are often enough to have the desired effect of healthy ovulation and improved fertility. If you are actually too lean, gaining a few kilos can sometimes be enough to restart ovulation and menstrual periods. Studies show that anovulation is seen in patients with a BMI > 30 due to abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones. Hence being too active or thin also has detriments to hormone balance and conception. Conversely, if overweight, losing 5 percent to 10 percent of your current weight is often enough to improve ovulation.

Some exciting results from the Nurses' Health Study showed that exercise can be a boon for fertility. These important findings are establishing a vital link between activity and getting pregnant. Keep in mind though that the fertility zone is an ideal, not an absolute and it means you aren't over-doing or under-doing exercise. For most women, this means getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

While some would argue that hospital delivery rooms are full of women who rarely or never exercise, not everyone is so lucky. To support your healthy eating plan and maintain a high protein ratio in your diet, you can indulge in a real snack that supports, not sabotages, your weight loss efforts with Aussie Bodies Trim Low-GI Protein Snack bars. They are high in protein to promote appetite satisfaction and low-GI (<55 in approved independent tests) to promote slow-release energy and blood sugar stability. Excess carbohydrate in the diet can elevate blood glucose levels, leading to body fat storage. Low in carbs and calories, Trim bars are a tasty and convenient way to stay satisfied on the run.

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