reproductive health and childbirth Archives

Fertility Smoothie for Men to Increase Sperm Count

How to boost sperm count naturally with a smoothie for male fertility

Having a family can be much harder than expected, but there are many ways now that people can help fulfill their dream of having children. One of the approaches that is great to start with and can be beneficial whether you’re trying for children or just want a healthier life, is to make food choices and diet decisions that are more mindful and aimed at a healthy body and a healthy mind, such as the daily consumption of fertility smoothie for men.

Young man holding fertility smoothie for men in his hands

Including helpful foods such as berries, nuts, fruits, and vegetables in your diet can not only make your general health better but by adding specific foods you can increase fertility. One way to add these foods to your daily diet without a complete overhaul is to add a daily fertility smoothie for men. They are fast and convenient for when you are on the go or when you’re relaxing at home. Completing the prep work ahead of time can make them even easier.

Finding an easy to add protein powder can add a boost of anything that is missing from the other ingredients chosen and is a simple way to be sure all the wanted nutrients are included. These smoothies have such versatility that you can have a different one every day or repeat your favorite as often as you like. To increase the levels of some of the nutrients in your body and maintain them at a level that is helpful to you, consistency matters.

How to store smoothies for later

The body absorbs some amounts of nutrients and minerals from our food every day, and releases the amounts that it can’t or won’t use, but to maintain a proper level of vitamin and nutrients you must replenish every day, and after a few days the levels remaining in your body for use will be higher. To make the consistency easier they can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge until you need them.

Mason jars are great for this purpose, simply add the ingredients that you want in your smoothie for the next day, seal the jar with its lid and ring, and place in the fridge. When you are ready to drink your smoothie just dump it into the blender and it’s ready to go. These can be stored for a few days at a time, to prep for a longer period add the ingredients (with or without the liquid) into a freezer bag or vacuum seal and store in the freezer.

You can remove one each night before bed and put it in the fridge to be thawed and ready for the morning or used right from frozen. Frozen fruits and vegetables maintain their nutrients as though they were fresh, so this solution is viable for prepping for the whole week at one time.

Main ingredients to increase fertility

Ingredients have to be something that you enjoy in order for you to want to keep having them, so there is a balance to be had between ingredients that are beneficial for fertility and that you enjoy eating. You can also add in other ingredients to serve other purposes, such as strong bones and clear skin, or for more energy for the things you love to do.

Studies have shown that antioxidants, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin C all help with male fertility, which makes berries, fruits, citrus, protein powders, and even eggs and dairy great smoothie ingredients.

How to make basic fertility smoothie for men

A lovely basic smoothie that includes many of these is an orange smoothie with

orange juice,
milk (any type of milk including full fat, almond, or coconut),
strawberries,
banana,
and a scoop of your chosen protein powder.

This is fast, tastes great, can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge unblended until you’re ready to drink it, and it can be used as a post work out drink or even a breakfast or snack replacement. A basic fertility smoothie for men like this is great because it can be adjusted to fit your preferences.

Don’t like banana add pineapple instead, don’t want strawberry, leave them out, and absolutely adjustable to what is readily available near you.

Rather than memorize or write out a bunch of recipes and be choosing which one, understanding what ingredients are best and why allows flexibility and options to suit every day.

Smoothie loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals

Antioxidants, that are found in many fruits and some vegetables and leafy greens, helping with the quality and quantity of sperm. These are also beneficial for reducing the effects of stress. Some great sources of antioxidants include dark chocolate (this could be a lovely addition to some smoothies, but will not be a great fit with some of the fruits and greens, but as a great addition to a protein powder), pecans, blueberries, strawberries, artichokes, goji berries, raspberries, kale and red cabbage (which can be added as a powder form of greens, or just tossed in your normal smoothie in small amounts to be mostly unnoticed), beans, beets, and spinach which may be the best fit in a green smoothie rather than a fruit smoothie.
Vitamin C! Both types of smoothies will be beneficial and personal preference for taste and sugar content will decide which you drink the most. Orange juice is still a good addition to a green smoothie for the liquid, bringing its vitamin C content with it. Most of these foods are also high in vitamin C which will help with the same types of concerns as well as helping the body absorb iron and other vitamins. This is important because vitamins that can’t be properly absorbed aren’t doing their best work. Great sources of vitamin C that can easily be included in a smoothie are cantaloupe, orange juice, and kiwi, and greens such as broccoli, even red cabbage can be used to add some thickness and substance along with the vitamin C.
Zinc is a necessary vitamin to help the body function, build the immune system, and help the body to absorb and metabolize the nutrients the body needs. While many of the large sources of zinc aren’t suitable for a smoothie, such as meats, especially red meats, and shellfish, there are some that can go well in a smoothie if it’s adjusted to the purpose. Legumes such as chickpeas and lentils can be blended into a smoothie of either variety, green or fruit, as they add substance without changing the taste too drastically. The versatility of them makes them a good ingredient to have on hand at all times. Seeds such as hemp, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds, or even some nuts like peanuts, cashews, or almonds can be added to a smoothie to increase the zinc content. For an easy addition choose cashew or almond milk as the liquid for your smoothie and it will go with almost any other ingredient you add. Dairy milk will also add zinc, along with protein, and calcium.
Magnesium is the last on our top list of nutrients needed in your fertility smoothie for men and is easily found in some of the foods we have already considered. Cashews, including cashew milk, pumpkin seeds, spinach and greens. It also can be found in soymilk, so adds another alternative to milk in your smoothie, or in addition to another milk source to add flavour and nutrients. Yoghurt is also high in magnesium and can add a thickening and flavour to fruit smoothies especially. With leafy greens and legumes being high in magnesium a green smoothie may be a great choice for post work out to increase many of the nutrients needed to help with fertility. Magnesium can also be found in a greens supplement or many protein powders, preferably a naturally created powder made from fruits and vegetables.

Final thoughts: Fertility smoothie for men

While balanced health may seem like a lot of effort and the food choices may need to be changed and adjusted, luckily a smoothie is a very simple and fast way to add nutrients and minerals to the diet. This can be especially important when tackling certain stages of life such as fertility or health battles.

When planning a family and trying to conceive it can be helpful to add foods that are high in magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Creating smoothies with some of your favorite foods included here can help increase sperm count and help the body absorb the nutrients it needs.

Preparing the smoothie ingredients ahead of time and storing in the fridge or freezer until ready to blend and consume makes them fast, simple, and easily adjustable to your preferences. Smoothies can be used as meal replacements, snacks, or post-workout supplements. Choose your favorite fertility smoothie for men, the best time of day to drink it, and keep all the ingredients ready to go.

Herbal Remedies to Prevent Pregnancy

Natural and herbal methods of birth control

Contraception can often be a catch 22 situation because it can be the smart choice for many people who aren’t interested or prepared in having children, but some methods of birth control can be unnatural and can present negative side effects. This can lead many people to seek other methods of birth control, such as the use of herbal remedies to prevent pregnancy, which are more suitable to existing health conditions or just that are more healthy in general.

Guide on the use of herbal remedies to prevent pregnancy

Side effects of birth control pills

For example, birth control pills can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications, stroke, and heart attack. There are many groups of people who are recommended to avoid birth control pills, including those who are obese, those who are on certain medications, anyone with a history of blood clots, people who are prone to migraines, and more.

Birth control pills have been shown to slightly increase the chances of breast cancer as well and using the pill for extended periods of time is not recommended.

Other birth control methods

Furthermore, other forms of birth control can be either expensive, permanent, or can last longer than some couples would consider ideal. Intrauterine devices and hormonal implants last a minimum of 3 years, which can be too much of a time commitment for some.

And similarly, sterilization is a permanent decision that many couples aren’t in the position to go through with. In addition to the commitment, many medical procedures that prevent pregnancy can be a large financial commitment.

Condoms are always an option but aren’t the most natural form of contraception and some people can have complications with latex allergies. So, as you can see, there are many reasons why a couple could seek more natural and alternative forms of birth control. In addition to using herbal remedies to prevent pregnancy, we’ll cover a few of these methods in this article so that you can get an idea of what method might be best for your situation.

Woman holding a condom in her hand to prevent pregnancy

Without contraception, the chance that couples will get pregnant within a year is 86% and can be even higher for younger couples or those who have conditions that make them more fertile, such as a higher sperm counts, more mobile sperm or having intercourse during a period when the woman is more fertile due to her cycle.

Natural methods of birth control

Withdrawal, or the “pull out” method, is when the penis is pulled out of the vagina prior to ejaculation. This method lowers the risk of pregnancy to 22%. This method can be easier said than done, since timing it right can be difficult for some couples, and even if the withdrawal is successful, it still doesn’t ensure that you won’t get pregnant.

The basal body temperature tactic is when a woman checks her temperature each morning. When a woman’s ovary produces an egg, her body temperature will drop 1-degree Fahrenheit half a day to a day before, so a drop in body temperature could indicate fertility. If you observe this temperature change and don’t want to conceive, then you should avoid intercourse during this time for two to three days.

Herbal methods for birth control

In addition to these natural forms of monitoring fertility, there are herbal methods that can help to naturally lower your risk of pregnancy. Many people view these herbal solutions as being more healthy than hormonal treatments or chemical forms of birth control.

Many who are proponents of natural forms of birth control recommend using these herbal supplements in addition to a lambskin condom to make for the lowest possible chance of pregnancy while maintaining natural methods.

Ginger as one of the herbal remedies for birth control

Stoneseed root

These herbal methods include the stoneseed root, which was used by many Native American tribes, mixed in a cold drink or via smoking to encourage permanent sterilization. The Native Americans that implemented this method would take this root daily for a period of six months, with sterility coming thereafter.

Although there haven’t been any recent studies done on the stoneseed root, in 1945 the US Department of Agriculture, through pharmacological research, confirmed that the plant was useful as a method of birth control. There have been other studies done on animals since then, which all yielded positive contraceptive results, but nothing has been conducted on humans since the USDA study in 1945.

Milk thistle

In addition to the stoneseed root, Native Americans also used thistle to become infertile. Milk thistle was brought to North America by European settlers and was adopted thereafter by the Native Americans. Milk thistle has been used in many different contexts, including for liver and kidney damage, but also for infertility.

There is no recent research to confirm whether milk thistle can be an effective form of contraception, but if you’re interested you should seek testimonials online to determine for yourself if it is a viable option.

Wild carrot

Women in specific regions of India have used wild carrot seed immediately after intercourse to prevent conception. After taking the wild carrot seed immediately after sex, they continue to consume a teaspoon daily for the next week.

A recent study has been conducted on the history and effectiveness of the wild carrot seed as a method of birth control, the contraception qualities of wild carrot seed were confirmed, although the reason behind why conception is prevented is still unknown. Further research is continuing.

Ginger

Those who subscribe to natural healing methods say that drinking one quart of ginger tea daily for up to 5 days can force menstruation. Alternatively, you can also combine a teaspoon of ginger with 6 ounces of boiling water to deliver the same result as ginger tea. Women who are confirmed pregnant are recommended to avoid ginger due to its ability to lead to miscarriages. There are many benefits of ginger tea and preventing pregnancy can be one of these.

Apricot kernels

If you’re tracking your menstrual cycle and are aware that you’ll be ovulating in the near future, apricot kernels can be an option for birth control for you. They can reduce the chances of fertilization immediately after ovulation.

Taking apricot kernels outside of immediately before intercourse or immediately prior to ovulation won’t help you to prevent pregnancy, so you’ll have to make sure to have your timing right for this one.

Rue herb

Rue herb teas have been shown to prevent implantation of sperm by decreasing the capillary permeability in the uterus. The suggested amount of rue tea to successfully keep sperm from swimming to fertility is a cup of boiling water with two tablespoons of rue herb. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to release necessary compounds and drink it two to three times daily in the event of an unplanned pregnancy to induce abortive effects.

Avoid taking too much at once, since over three tablespoons at once can have negative effects on the nervous system and can cause kidney complications.

Buckwheat herb

Similar to the abortive effects of rue herb, buckwheat herb can prevent implantation of the sperm. It does this by creating an adrenaline event where the uterus doesn’t provide essential nutrition to already fertilized eggs. For best results, you should consume the buckwheat herb before and after intercourse.

The best part of buckwheat herb is that there are no known side effects of it, aside from the fact that you should avoid it before any surgeries, which is contrary to many of the other natural remedies that can come with asterisks attached. You can consume buckwheat herb in many meals that you already eat, such as oatmeal. Since there aren’t any negative side effects, it can’t hurt to take buckwheat herb just on the chance that it is a legitimate contraceptive.

Ascorbic acid

Surprisingly, one of the most common vitamins can have contraceptive properties. That vitamin would be vitamin C. That’s right, vitamin C contains ascorbic acid, which can prevent the effectiveness and prevalence of progesterone, which has the main job of maintaining pregnancy.

You shouldn’t consume too much vitamin C, however, since that can have negative implications and can make you sick. Some medical professionals also advise against using vitamin C tablets for contraception, so you should get a second opinion from a gynecologist before taking vitamin C for birth control.

Final thoughts: Herbal Remedies to Prevent Pregnancy

As you can see there are many natural forms of contraception that have been used for a long time, some of them have been used for centuries or longer. However, you might have also noticed that there isn’t a lot of research behind these natural and herbal forms of contraception, although many have been confirmed to have contraceptive effects. But some come with the risk of negative side effects and others have very little information around them altogether.

For this reason, you should consult your doctor before going on any of these herbal remedies to prevent pregnancy to ensure that it will work well for you and to make sure that there aren’t any alternative methods of birth control that are doctor-recommended and possibly more effective, healthier, and maybe just as natural. Medical professionals should have the inside track on what methods work the best and which ones you should avoid. Above all, be safe and research any methods you consider well.

Best Supplements for PCOS Weight Loss

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – best supplements

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease affecting women. From a poorly known origin, it manifests itself by a disorder of the pituitary hypothalamic-pituitary axis whose role is to naturally control our production of sex hormones. Women who suffer from it frequently develop insulin resistance (which can develop into diabetes), gain weight and have virilization symptoms (acne, excessive hair, etc.). Treatments in this disease are only symptomatic and do not always control all aspects of the disease.

what are the best supplements for PCOS weight loss

For this reason, researchers decided to involve 57 women suffering from this syndrome in a study evaluating the benefit of a diet that is very high in protein, high in fat but low in carbohydrates on the body.

The women were therefore divided into 2 groups. Each group consumed the same number of calories per day, but the first group saw its caloric distribution as such: 40% of calories as protein, 30% as fat, 30% as carbohydrates. The second group followed a more traditional diet: 15% of calories as protein, 30% as fat and 55% as carbohydrates.

At the end of the 6-month study, women who received the high-protein diet lost more weight than others and improved their insulin sensitivity. Although the diet has not had a beneficial effect on hormones in this disease, researchers consider it to be a good feeding strategy to better combat this syndrome.

Balancing the liver to naturally treat polycystic ovary syndrome

The liver is the organ that cleanses our blood of toxins. Its function is closely linked to the rest of the organs and, above all, to the hormonal system. This is why, in order to achieve a natural and complete treatment, it will be necessary to facilitate liver function.

For this purpose, you can use liver plants such as milk thistle and consume the best supplements for PCOS weight loss. It is also essential to avoid harmful fats and food additives in order to naturally treat polycystic ovary syndrome.

Regulate the intestine with the best supplements for PCOS weight loss

Let us focus on the proximity of the intestines and ovaries, as well as the links between all the internal organs of our body. You will realize that intestinal congestion can directly affect the health of our reproductive organs.

It is always very important to maintain a healthy intestine. Indeed, if it does not work properly, it can cause many health problems in the long term. That is why, in addition to PCOS, we suffer from constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, parasites and other intestinal disorders. That is why we must naturally treat polycystic ovary syndrome so that it does not worsen the balance of our ovaries.

Thus, to regulate intestinal function, you should try with the best supplements for PCOS weight loss. It is necessary to follow a PCOS diet rich in fruits, vegetables, dried vegetables, whole grains and nuts. If you suffer from constipation, add some laxative foods to your diet. This is the case for linseed (or linseed) or prunes.

Beware of gluten

Gluten allergy or celiac disease is a disease that can be easily detected. Indeed, the body reacts immediately after ingesting food containing gluten. However, there are people who have different degrees of gluten intolerance. This will lead to slight imbalances that, over time, can lead to certain diseases, including PCOS.

If you have a history of intolerance or allergy to gluten, or if you also have digestive problems, we recommend that you take this explanation into account.

The pepper tree to naturally treat polycystic ovary syndrome

The most effective among the best supplements for PCOS weight loss is the medicinal plant for the natural treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome – the pepper tree (Vitex Agnus Castus). It is a remedy that has traditionally been used to regulate hormone levels, avoid irregular periods.

It also helps to restore ovulation in women who suffer from a lack of menstruation. It is particularly effective to take from the tree to pepper when PCOS is accompanied by low levels of progesterone and prolactin. Take 200 mg of pepper tree extract per day for at least 3 or 4 months, before seeing results.

Scabbing

Scab is an Andean root known for its benefits for women’s health. It thus acts as a hormone regulator, regardless of the type of altered hormones. In addition, it is an excellent remedy to fight against the symptoms of menopause. This root can be found in tablets or powder form. However, it is easier to use in powder form because we can control the doses we take.

It is recommended to start with a small amount and increase gradually because it is very energizing and can sometimes cause nervousness. As a shock treatment, we can take 6 to 9 grams per day, which we can maintain for one month. The maintenance dose is 3 grams per day (approximately one level spoon).

Linseed oil

The oil extracted from the cold pressing of flaxseed is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6. These are two nutrients among the best supplements for PCOS weight loss that naturally regulate hormone levels and stimulate ovulation cycles. Linseed oil is ideal for the natural treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

To complete the previous treatment, two tablespoons (30 g) of linseed oil should be taken each day. If its taste seems very unpleasant to you (it may remind you of fish), then mix this oil with your food. Its benefits will be the same and you will avoid being bothered by the taste!

Eat more often!

It sounds strange, but believe me, it works! By eating more frequently, your metabolism is accelerated, your blood sugar levels remain stable and reduce sugar cravings.

The secret is not to eat “more”, but to extend your food intake throughout the day. For example, instead of having a huge craving for lunch, we have half at lunch and the other half two hours later.

Avoid artificial sweeteners!

Are you ever drinking light drinks, thinking they will help you lose weight?

Wrong! Wrong! There is no evidence that drinking light drinks helps you lose more weight, in fact, some artificial sweeteners have been shown to actually slow down your fat loss and can even contribute to weight gain!

Take vitamins!

But not just any vitamins, you must take a high-quality formula containing minerals and vitamins from natural sources. Your vitamin supplement must contain at least 25-50mcg of elemental chromium.

Chromium contributes to the sugar to be used for energy, preventing fluctuations in blood sugar that makes you want candy. Your best supplements for PCOS weight loss must also be rich in B vitamins, which are used to metabolize carbohydrates.

In addition, a magnesium supplement can help with weight loss for polycystic ovary syndromes, as it helps to manage insulin resistance, one of the main problems in women with polycystic ovary syndromes. As you will discover, losing weight is more than just eating less and exercising more. When you have the right knowledge, it is easy to lose body fat when you have SOPK!

Eat supplements with good fats!

You have been taught to eat less fat, and although it is important to reduce your intake of some fatty foods, people who focus only on low-fat foods will not lose more weight than people who do not have it!

You see, some fats are essential elements of our diet, and if you don’t get enough, your metabolism and overall health will suffer. You must have a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil or pure fish oil supplements. Indeed, these fats stimulate your metabolism by creating thermal energy. In addition to fish oils, sesame oil can help to stimulate the metabolism.

Not just exercise, exercises the right way!

Another thing that tells you is to exercise regularly, but what exactly does that mean?

You need to practice smarter, not harder. For example, practicing for 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes will double the benefits, you should not work on it for more than an hour.

You also need to focus more on the “resistance exercise” that builds muscles. Strength training allows your body to burn more fat, even when you sleep. It also helps to reduce insulin resistance and increases SHBG, a hormone-binding protein that is often weak in polycystic ovarian syndromes.

Choose the Best Protein for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Having a baby is indeed a wonderful experience for a woman. But during this time period, a female becomes weak due to certain complications associated with pregnancy. These include stress, lack of energy, digestion problems, unnecessary weight gain and an aversion to meat. So, during these times, rich protein diet is direly necessary. This article explains the characteristics of the best protein powder for pregnancy.

Similarly, the infant is completely dependent upon the mother’s milk after delivery. Mother’s milk is a major source of minerals and proteins for the infant. Great care and guidelines should be followed in this latter case too. So, I will also discuss the best protein diet for breastfeeding.

the best protein for pregnancy and during breastfeeding

Why is protein powder important for women during pregnancy?

This is a very common question in our community. There are many reasons:

Meat is the best protein source, especially chicken and fish. However, during pregnancy period a female is faced with a certain number of digestion problems. Some women also do not like the smell of food, especially meat. They satisfy hunger cravings with vegetables. But loading up solely on vegetables is not suitable for satisfying the nutritional needs of infants. In order to fulfill the baby’s requirements of necessary nutritional factors, protein powder and supplements are the best alternatives to meat.
During pregnancy, the woman is confronted with various factors of weakness due to issues with blood pressure, calcium deficiency and anxiety. In this case, the best protein powder can help to control these problems. Protein supplements are the main source of energy for a woman so she can energetically enjoy this wonderful and exciting life experience.
Proteins don’t get converted into fat. In addition to this, proteins suppress the production of a hormone called Ghrelin (Ghrelin stimulates the appetite). So the woman has no problems with excessive accumulation of fat and unnecessary weight gain.

Characteristics of best protein powder for pregnancy and breastfeeding

There should be no compromise in the selection of protein powder in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because it is about yours and your baby’s health, you need to be alert and well aware of the characteristics of the best protein powder for pregnancy and lactation.

Organic and natural protein elements

If you are looking for the best protein powder for pregnancy and breastfeeding, you must be critical about the protein elements in the protein powder. In a higher proportion, the composition should be natural and organic, since the use of such protein powder is safer and the results are better.

Protein nutrients

The best protein powder for pregnancy always contains high nutrient protein elements including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. These constituents along with other high nutrients are a big plus for you and your baby.

Antioxidants protect your body from harmful radicals and provide protection against cancer. Certain types of infections caused by air pollution, harmful radiations, and smoke can be avoided.

Vitamins like Vitamin-D and Folic Acid help to make your immune system, bones and nerves strong. Scientific studies show that during pregnancy a female requires 600 IU (International Units) each day. Folic Acid has positive effects on the development of the child.

Minerals are really very important during pregnancy, especially Iron and Calcium. Iron enhances blood hemoglobin level and by doing so chances of problems associated with low hemoglobin like deficiency of blood etc are suppressed. Calcium deficiency is often a big problem associated with pregnancy. Calcium helps to strengthen bones and is equally good for both, mother and child.

PRO TIP:

Iodine, another mineral, stimulates the production of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones help to strengthen the digestive system for the use of energy. Otherwise, a large quantity of food energy will result in fats.

Moreover, iodine helps in the proper development of the nervous system of your child before birth. So, when it comes to the selection of best protein powder for pregnancy, you should be looking for powder with iodine contents besides other minerals like calcium and iron.

Plant protein or vegan protein

Women with gastrointestinal disorders face problems with digestion of various types of protein powders, such as Xanthan Gum. It often causes gas problems because it is made of soy or corn. In such cases, you need to look for plant-rich proteins. Plant proteins are mostly vegan proteins.

Some of the best vegetable proteins containing rich protein contents that are very important for you are:

Seitan
Tofu, Tempeh and Edamame
Lentils

Plant Protein	Description	Source	Contents	Precautions
Seitan	^{Best vegan protein contains rich contents (25-gram protein per 100 gram).}	^Gluten^{is the major source of this vegan protein that is found in wheat.}	^Selenium ^Calcium ^Iron	^{People who should avoid using Seitan:} ^{Cardiac problems} ^{Allergies due to Gluten}
Tofu, Tempeh and Edamame	^{These vegan proteins contain 10 to 19 grams protein per 100 grams. These proteins provide many useful minerals and vitamins that are really good for pregnant women and can be used in a variety of recipes.}	^{These proteins are extracted from}^Soybeans^.	^{Amino Acids} ^Calcium	^{You should avoid these proteins if you have allergies associated with the use of Soy.}
Lentils	^{The lentils consists of 18 grams of protein to 240 milliliters of cooked food and helps with weight loss and improves digestion during pregnancy.}	^{These can be obtained from}^Fabaceae^plants	^Fibers ^Antioxidants ^Manganese ^Iron	^{You should avoid lentils if you are allergic to manganese.}

Protein content

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pregnant women should use a protein-rich diet containing balanced protein content. WHO has suggested that the diet with up to 25% protein content of the total energy content is best for protein deficient pregnant woman. As per WHO recommendations, your best protein powder for pregnancy and breastfeeding should not contain more than 25% protein.

Moreover, there are no benefits from high protein intake except weight gain. According to some scientific calculations, the ideal amount of protein intake during pregnancy and childbirth should be between 110 and 137 grams per day.

Protein powder ingredients that should be avoided during pregnancy

When choosing your best protein powder for pregnancy, you should also be aware of the fact that certain ingredients are not good for the pregnant woman. So avoid them and try to find a protein powder that does not contain harmful ingredients. Usually, such ingredients are not as harmful, but during pregnancy, due to certain complications, they become harmful.

Ingredient	Negative side effects
Gluten	^{People with Celiac Disease are severely affected by the small amount of this ingredient. Gluten can cause problems with small intestine lining, abnormal hormone levels and even mood swings.}
Artificial Sweetening Agents	^{Certain protein powder products contain Artificial Sweetening Agents for taste improvement. Such agents can cause various health problems including weight gain, increased blood pressure, cholesterol level, and even diabetes. Trust me, these are really bad during pregnancy.}
Food Additives	^{Various companies add Food Additives in the supplements for enhancing the freshness, smell, color and many other parameters like that. These food additives may cause diarrhea, asthma, itching and insomnia.}
Soy Protein	^{Soy Proteins can cause many health disorders including reduction of other useful nutrients like iron, thyroid hormone production and other hormonal problems.}
Milk Traces	^{Traces of milk in protein powder are another source of protein. But the dangerous fact is that milk traces can contain a lot of milk fat. It is also possible that food additives and artificial sweeteners are added during milk processing.}
Glucose	^{Glucose intake results in enhanced Blood Sugar Levels. The high blood sugar level is extremely dangerous during the early stages of pregnancy, as it causes birth defects. Risk of miscarriage is also tightly associated with glucose.}
Meat Protein	^{Meat, especially chicken and fish, is very rich in protein. Unfortunately, it also contains a certain amount of food additives, soy protein and vegetable oil. As mentioned above, these things are not good for health, as they can cause some serious complications during pregnancy.}

I have clearly mentioned the ingredients that sometimes come as supplements in various protein powders for pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you must be extremely careful when searching for the best protein powder. So, try to find the protein powder that doesn’t contain ingredients listed in the above table.

Top 5 best protein powders for pregnancy and breastfeeding

In this section, I will present you with a list of 5 best protein powders, which can be very effective. In addition to having a good effect on the health of the mother, intake of certain protein powders can also have a positive effect on your child’s health.

COLLAGEN PROTEIN POWDER

Protein collagen powders are easily digestible. Therefore, they do not cause constipation during pregnancy. Collagen is a source of protein-rich in protein ingredients, e.g. 20 grams of protein per meal. A pregnant woman can benefit greatly from its use:

Reduction in weight
Decrease cravings
Reduce muscle and joint pain
Improved skin texture by reducing aging signs. It can also lower the number of face lines.
Increase bones and muscle strength

PEA PROTEIN POWDER

Pea Protein Powder is a type of Vegan Protein. Yellow peas are a source for such protein. It is the best protein powder for pregnant woman due to following reasons:

These proteins are free from any allergens. So these are extremely safe to use.
Pea Protein is a powerful source of essential amino acids.
Extremely helpful in weight control.

EGG WHITE PROTEIN POWDER

Egg White Protein is a source of rich and healthy proteins. It enhances the intake of pure protein in the human body and increases energy in the body. Apart from protein nutrients, there are certainly other benefits:

Egg White Protein Powder does not have a strong taste, so it can be mixed in various dishes.
It has a powerful effect on muscle strength and growth due to the presence of essential amino acids.
There are no milk traces, food additives, glucose, oil and other harmful ingredients mixed in Egg White Protein Powder. It is available in the purest form e.g. Egg. This makes it the best protein powder during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The amount of carbohydrates, fat and glucose in egg white protein are considerably lower as compared to other protein types e.g. Whey Protein Powder. One scoop of whey protein can contain up to 23 grams carbohydrates while the same quantity of egg white protein merely contains more than 1.5 grams of carbs.
This type of protein powder is easily digestible.

WHEY PROTEIN POWDER

Whey Protein Powder is derived from milk and is one of the best protein powders for pregnancy, but it is ranked fourth on this list due to the presence of traces of milk and a large amount of carbohydrates. This protein powder has many benefits including:

Whey Protein Powder doesn’t cause any digestive issues.
It contains all the essential amino acid components. These amino acids are not produced naturally, so the food is the best source to deliver them to the human body. Each of these amino acids has a special effect on the parameters of human health, including muscle mass, tissue strength, energy and immune system.
Whey Protein Powder reduces hunger and appetite and can result in weight loss.
Muscle mass and muscle strength are increased by the use of whey protein powder. Therefore, it is really beneficial for those pregnant women who are skinny and weaker.

HEMP PROTEIN POWDER

Hemp Protein Powder is extracted from the seeds of Hemp Plant and it is another excellent vegan protein. This protein comes with other valuable nutrients. If you have selected Hemp plant seeds as your best protein powder for breastfeeding and pregnancy than you can get benefited from it in the following ways:

This type of protein powder also contains other nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium and potassium. Each of these can affect your body in a positive manner.
Hemp Protein Powder also contains balanced amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 rich diet for a pregnant woman helps in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, hypertension and cardiac disease.

Tips for choosing the best protein powder for breastfeeding and pregnancy

Well, I have tried my best to write this informative article in such a way that anyone reading it can understand the do’s and the don’ts in choosing the best protein powder for pregnancy and breastfeeding. In case of any confusion, I am providing a quick summary here that may help you in understanding the theory behind the selection.

Select those protein powders that contain extracts from natural sources and have nutritional value due to the inclusion of various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Try to find protein powders having vegan protein as an ingredient because of its digestive, absorptive and low-fat features.
The important thing to consider is that the best protein powder should not contain very high protein content. Because the excess of everything is really bad. So, buy only those protein powders in which protein content is 25% at max.
Never buy protein products containing glucose, artificial sweeteners and food additives. These are bad for mother/child health and growth.
Select protein powders containing essential amino acids, folic acid, iron, omega-3, manganese and potassium as ingredients.

Related: Rooibos during pregnancy

Using your selected protein powder

Once you’ve got protein powder, all you need to do is to use it. Due to the powder form, it is easy to mix, so you can use it in various ways. As a pregnant woman, you can make a healthy meal quickly and effortlessly.

Mixing the powder with water or milk is a great option. An excellent and delicious choice for breakfast is also yogurt with protein powder. If you love to bake, you can use it in baking. Coffee or tea (without caffeine) is another good option for taking these powerful nutrients. You can sprinkle it on top of your salad. After your morning or evening exercise, you can make a delicious protein shake.

Bottom line

Protein is not only useful for women, but men can also benefit from it. For a pregnant woman who faces a complication, proteins can really help. Although meat is the best source of protein, for some obvious reasons, women do not like it during pregnancy.

There are various options in this regard, including whey, peas, collagen, cannabis and white eggs. These are the healthiest proteins.

Another important point in choosing the best protein powder for pregnancy is what should be avoided. These include glucose, food additives, artificial sweeteners, traces of milk and much more. Avoid the purchase of protein powders containing these products.

Lastly, you can use the powder-form of protein in a variety of drinks, salads, and recipes for getting a quick and healthy meal.

I hope you like the article and that you have found a lot of useful information. Please give your valuable feedback.

Estrogen Dominance after Menopause and Weight Gain

Estrogen dominance after menopause contributes to weight gain and obesity

As a woman, as you grow older, chances are that maintaining your body weight might prove a little bit difficult. Well, it is not unusual to see such development of symptoms in women between the ages of 40 and 50. Middle-aged women, as it is medically clarified, are known to have reached the menopause stage. And it is the stage that your reproductive hormones will tend to decline, your menstruation (the monthly flow of blood) will tend to stop, and you might also suffer from the symptom of estrogen dominance after menopause.

During this period you will also gain weight with or without regular intake of food and exercise.

estrogen dominance after menopause and how to lose weight

Obviously, there are many factors in the body that affect weight, but the role of hormones cannot be overlooked. Hormones are linked with how our body controls weight gain. As an illustration, your body’s hormones work in a similar way to a carpenter’s saw. When they are well balanced, your body will work as it should. But however, when they are not well balanced, you may begin to encounter difficulties.

Estrogen and progesterone are typical examples of hormones responsible for weight gain in the body. They are classified as female hormones while testosterone is classified as a male hormone. In women, for instance, estrogen helps to initiate sexual development along with progesterone. Also, it is responsible for the growth of sexual organs, skeletal system and control of the menstrual cycle.

What is menopause?

It is a natural decline in reproductive hormones when a woman reaches her 40s to 50s. Menopause has been a major occurrence for every adult woman. It occurs when you stop menstruating. i.e. when a woman stops ovulating. It is usually diagnosed when you have used 12 serial months without a menstrual period. One thing you should know though, it is a natural biological process. So, it is not a disease nor any disorder of any kind.

It is often associated with physical symptoms such as vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood changes, thinning hair, and dry skin, hot flashes, loss of libido, etc. Moreover, during menopause, ovarian follicles deplete in numbers and the ovaries become less active to estrogen and progesterone including other hormones such as Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), thereby making it difficult for LH and FSH to carry out its controlling function.

This period of depletion of estrogen in the body is called perimenopause. And this is associated with so many body disorders including weight gain, brain and nervous system disorder, cardiovascular diseases, reproductive system disorder, etc. It usually occurs in women 40 years of age and older.

Additionally, it encompasses the period during which your hormones are changing. However, during this period, you may still be fertile and still be able to menstruate. Read further to know how this is possible.

What is estrogen?

Estrogens are hormones that are important for sexual and reproductive development, mainly in women.

It has many other important functions, as well, including:

Promoting bone health
Protecting the brain and mood
Helping to control blood cholesterol levels

The ovaries, which are two small glands in the lower pelvis, are sources of estrogen in the body. Estrogen has three main types which include estriol, estradiol, and estrone hormones. They all have different functions respectively.

Estrone or E1 is the main estrogen that persists after menopause and it spreads out to all parts of the body. Estradiol, or E2, is mainly produced by women of childbearing age while Estriol or E3, on the other hand, is produced during pregnancy.

ovaries are sources of estrogen in the body

Risk factors associated with low estrogen level

The risk factors associated with lowered estrogen level in the body include the following:

Age factor
Hereditary
Nutrition intake
Superfluous exercise

Symptoms of estrogen dominance after menopause in women

When your body’s estrogen and testosterone levels aren’t balanced, you may begin to encounter some certain symptoms. In women, potential symptoms include:

Headaches
Bloating
Swelling and tenderness in your breasts
Irregular menstrual periods
Mood swings
Weight gain
Hair loss
Decreased sex drive
Fibrocystic lumps in your breast

How hormones cause weight gain during menopause?

One reason why people often experience weight gain during menopause is changing hormone levels. Menopause has two stages: peri-menopause & post-menopause.

During the former, the peri-menopause stage, the body progesterone decreases quite fast and most times often results in estrogen dominance. While the latter, the post-menopause stage, there is always a decrease in estrogen levels, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. At the peri-menopause stage, estrogen dominance causes you to store more fat around your stomach area.

But how can estrogen cause weight gain if its level decreases during menopause? The level of progesterone decreases to almost 0, while the estrogen level drops to somewhere between 40 and 50%.

While this is true, you can still become estrogen dominant no matter how small they may appear. Thus, no matter how low they may be, if the progesterone level in your body is lower than the estrogen level, you will always experience symptoms of estrogen dominance.

What are other factors responsible for weight gain during menopause?

A lot of factors can cause weight gain during menopause even with the exclusion of hormonal changes. Factors such as lifestyle, genetic factors, and mental health could all play a role.

To begin with, your age is inversely proportional to your metabolism rate. The older you get, the slower your metabolism rate. Therefore, your body will burn calories at a slower rate. If you continue with your regular food intake during menopause without exercising, you are prone to experience weight gain. Similarly, if you reduce the number of hours you spent exercising, you can experience muscle breakdown and therefore can result in your body fat increment.

These are other factors that may contribute to weight gain after menopause:

Family history of obesity
Lowered metabolic rate
Number of children
Reduced physical activity and loss of muscle mass
Chemotherapy
Altered lifestyle
Use of anti-depressant
Use of antipsychotic medications
Age

Maintaining your body weight during menopause

To manage your weight gain during menopause, try the following:

Engage yourself in a regular and aerobic exercise. This will give your metabolism a boost. Aim for nothing less than 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity, daily. Physical activity has a beneficial effect on estrogen levels both for women of childbearing age and for women in menopause.
Try to accept the changes to your body that might have happened or occurred as a result of old age. And additionally, try to work towards fear of taking the risk. This can be done by taking healthy lifestyle measures.
Try to eat a healthy diet that will reduce your weight gain. In other words, try to consume a low-carb diet. For example, the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet or the 5:2 diet, you can try with ProVen formula, enroll in a 14-day fat loss program or Sureslim, etc.
Eat plenty of dietary fiber (cruciferous vegetables and brassicas), which helps to lower excessive estrogen levels. Some of these vegetables are brussels sprouts, broccoli, radish, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, watercress, etc.
The consumption of flax seeds also has a positive effect. Flax seeds contain phytoestrogens, plant-derived xenoestrogens that are particularly recommended in menopause.
Try to build and maintain your muscle mass with strength training such as weight training exercise.
Enroll yourself in Yoga exercises. It will help decrease waist circumference and weight.
Avoid crash diets
Consult your doctor from time to time. Your doctor can help you maintain your body weight gain during menopause.

Final thoughts: Estrogen dominance after menopause and weight gain

There are several factors to consider when setting up a fat loss diet plan during menopause. If you focused too much on weight loss and thereby deprived your body of some essential body nutrients, chances are that you can experience loss in bone mineral density (BMD).

It is not only imperative that you get healthy, the right way, but also important that you put your health first before going for any weight loss program.

Why I’m not Losing Weight while Breastfeeding?

Tips for losing weight while breastfeeding

Not losing weight while breastfeeding? Since pregnancy is synonymous with weight gain, the post-pregnancy period often becomes a long run to lose those accumulated kilos. Did you know that breastfeeding makes it easier for the mother to lose weight?

When you are breastfeeding, you need about 500 more calories a day, but your body burns 940 calories for every liter of milk it produces. Weight loss, about one kilogram per month, will be slow, but continuous. Therefore, it is not recommended to follow a strict diet or to train a lot during the first six weeks after birth.

These first few weeks should be used to rebuild your strength and nutrient reserves, not to mention that breastfeeding and your new mother’s life also require adaptation. In a day, you can expect to give 8 to 12 drinks! So it takes time and energy.

Most of this energy will come directly from the fat reserves you will have accumulated during pregnancy. You didn’t fatten up for nothing, nature that planned everything!

tips for losing weight while breastfeeding

Weight loss will be gradual and perhaps not fast enough for you

So if you decide to reduce your calorie intake to lose weight, make sure you consume at least 1,500 calories a day, otherwise your milk production will suffer. Remember that even without a special diet – but not too much either! – you will lose one kilo per month, so after 5-6 months you will already have lost more than five kilos, which is more than many weight loss diets!

And as your weight loss is gradual, your body will regain its shape without stress and without increased loss of elasticity. Eat your fill with healthy foods, drink plenty of water and exercise starting with walking, cycling and swimming. When exercising, wear a bra that provides good support for your breasts, which are heavier than before.

Physical activity will not affect your milk production or its quality! On the contrary, if you get back in shape, your morale and health will be better! Physical activity should be done after breastfeeding, it will be more comfortable for you.

Preconceived ideas about losing weight while breastfeeding

Women often think that because they are breastfeeding, they need to eat a lot more. Hunger is there, more than usual it is a certainty, but nevertheless it would be wise not to eat twice as much!

Depending on your metabolism (which can change over time), you are either in the category of women who lose all their pregnancy weight after a few months of breastfeeding (me, 1st breastfeeding) or in the category of women who keep the weight even while breastfeeding (again me, 2nd breastfeeding).

According to scientific sources, even if breastfeeding seems to increase the rate of weight loss over a certain period of time, the magnitude of this effect remains… modest! In fact, it depends on the duration, the intensity of breastfeeding, your personal characteristics, the weight gained during pregnancy (especially this!), your age, whether it is a first child or not, smoking and so on… So NO breastfeeding does not necessarily make you lose weight!

Controlling your caloric intake, balancing your meals, will not give you poorer milk. Your milk will always be the most suitable for your child because it is yours. Be careful, however, with very restrictive diets, as this can still influence the amount of milk.

What can be done to lose weight?

Focus on healthy and satisfying foods. If you have a craving, it is likely that your previous meal was not complete enough (vegetables, starchy foods, protein). Think about it! Preferably choose a cottage cheese, tea and fruit for your snack.
Don’t starve yourself, otherwise you will eat at the next meal and that’s when the gaps can arise…
Long live the fruits without restriction! The banana at night is NOT a bad idea, it will calm you down and it is healthier than the chocolate bar (if so!)
Don’t deprive yourself of little pleasures but make them perhaps a little more exceptional…
Don’t set yourself apart at home; the whole family shares the same meal.
Consult a nutritionist: There are many misconceptions about weight loss and breastfeeding, some people believe that weight decreases if you breastfeed while others believe that it is difficult to regain your previous body during the breastfeeding period.

In reality, neither is false, but neither is true either

Breastfeeding burns extra calories, it’s a fact, about 500 calories a day. Losing weight during breastfeeding is rarely given because breastfeeding has this incredible ability to starve the mother! And new hungry and sleep-deprived mothers tend to satisfy their cravings for simple carbohydrates (not really ideal for weight loss).

When normal, healthy adults are deprived of sleep, they usually increase their carbohydrate intake to compensate for this lack.

1) DO NOT PUT YOURSELF UNDER PRESSURE

Sorry, but you won’t be able to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes in the first week after childbirth. Have some patience.

During pregnancy, a woman can gain up to 15 kg, which is perfectly normal. Consider the weight of the child, enlarged breasts, enlarged uterus, placenta, amniotic fluid, increased blood volume, fat stores and increased volume of liquids. It took nine months to gain this weight, so give yourself at least nine months to lose it and recover your previous body.

It is “enough” to ignore excess weight for at least the first two weeks after birth.

You can lose weight with some will and effort. When you are on a diet, be calm, because stress, bad will, and tension affect both the body and the baby.

First of all, the loss of kilograms after delivery must be gradual and slow due to breastfeeding. After birth, the body is very tired of pregnancy and birth and therefore needs sufficient nutrients.

The body needs sufficient amounts of all vitamins, minerals, proteins, essential fats and many other nutrients for health. Take this into account when preparing your meals. Have at least 4-6 moderate meals a day and drink enough water.

2) MAKE JUDICIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS

Think before you snack. Instead of looking for chips, eat an apple, instead of cereal, prepare a bowl of oatmeal with a few berries of Goji. Oatmeal is an excellent breakfast for a breastfeeding mother who is trying to lose weight. It allows you to stay full for a long time and maintain insulin levels at a stable level.

Starchy vegetables, such as baked potatoes and sweet potatoes (even better with their low glycemic index), can also satisfy your thirst for carbohydrates. Brown and wild rice are good side dishes and snack options too.

You can also reduce your fat intake to 20-25% (or less) of your total calories; maintain your protein intake at a level sufficient to prevent muscle mass loss. (The recommended protein intake for breastfeeding mothers is 65 grams per day for the first 6 months and 62 grams per day between 6 and 12 months).

3) PREPARE FOR SUCCESS

A little preparation today can help you maintain your eating habits for the next few days. For example, cut vegetables and fruit to keep them refrigerated, cook and freeze healthy meals to defrost them later quickly. The purpose of this is to avoid sweets.

4) EAT SMALLER, HEALTHIER AND MORE FREQUENT MEALS

If you wait too long between meals, there is a hormonal effect that affects the milk supply, your body begins to draw energy from its reserves, which reduces insulin production and affects thyroid hormone levels. It reduces prolactin, which is the hormone that controls the amount of milk we make.

After birth, most mothers don’t have time to prepare complicated healthy dishes. Therefore, there are no excuses when it comes to a quick, tasty and healthy diet, such as fresh vegetables (fresh carrots), fast-cooked green vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus), fruits, boiled vegetables, and quickly fried chicken.

5) KEEP IT THAT WAY!

Above all, be patient and do not expect extreme results overnight. Be aware that the body has undergone many changes during pregnancy and childbirth, so it takes time to rest.

Final thoughts: Why I’m not losing weight while breastfeeding

However, it is important that you are moderately active because physical activity proven helps not only in the loss of excess pounds but also raises the level of energy, reduces stress and the possibility of postpartum depression.

One study suggested that short-term weight loss of 1 kg per week is not a problem (in this study, mothers were on a diet for 11 days).

The best thing is that you can adapt your plan to your lifestyle and decide whether you want to reduce your calories or exercise more. Just burn more calories than you consume and you will lose weight.