Environmental Causes of Infertility

Infertility Environmental Causes
Can Common Environmental Toxins Affect Your Ability to Conceive?

Infertility - In America today, one in six couples of child-bearing age has trouble conceiving and completing a successful pregnancy.  That's 6.1 million couples! 

Although a lot of focus with infertility is on the female partner, studies show that approximately 40 percent of infertility cases are due to men’s sperm abnormalities such as low sperm count, abnormal sperm shape or decreased sperm motility.

As with most other conditions that have been on the rise, many of today’s infertility cases are attributed to poor nutrition, stress, eating disorders, intense exercise and exposure to environmental toxins.  In this report I am going to focus on a common, but not well understood phenomenon, and that is the toxic effect of environmental chemicals and pollutants, and how they can affect your ability to conceive and to carry a baby to term.

One thing we recommend for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of infertility is to have a hair mineral analysis test done. How can a hair analysis help you achieve better health? If we consider that diet is what we consume and nutrition is what we retain, then we can see that discovering what your body needs when it needs it is a valuable tool in creating health. A hair analysis can detremine which essential minerals your body is needing more of and which toxic elements it needs to eliminate. It also provides valuable insight into your metaoblism and what dietary changes would be most helpful for you.

Hair Analysis Report

For more information on the hair tissue mineral analysis, scoll down the page or click here.

Common causes of infertility in women include:

Endometriosis, a blockage in the fallopian tubes, severe anemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease, long periods of time on birth control pills, nutrient deficiencies, eating disorders (especially anorexia), hormonal problems, chronic illness, overly intense exercise, obesity, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins.

For men the common causes are:

Low sperm production and/or abnormal sperm, low sperm motility, steroid use, zinc deficiency, sexually transmitted diseases, poor nutrition, drug use, and radiation or heavy metal poisoning.

Take Control of Your Environment

If you are experiencing infertility, get all the medical help you can.   Next, check out the common toxins that you may be exposed to, both at home and at work, and take steps to reduce your exposure.  Also, restore and nourish your bodies with good nutrition, therapeutic supplements, and stress management techniques.  And last but not least, detoxify your body of heavy metals, chemicals and other toxins that may be lurking in your body tissues.  By following these steps, you will go a long way in saving your reproductive health.

Toxins in the Work Place

There are several occupations that can be termed as "high risk" when it comes to reproductive health.  The following is a list of occupations and the risks they entail:

 Flight Attendants

Environmental Risk:  Radiation and increased gravitational forces
Observed Effects:  The risk of miscarriage nearly doubles

 Pharmacists, Health Care Workers

Environmental Risk:  Cancer treatment drugs (ie. Methotrexate)
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects

Dry Cleaning Personnel

Environmental Risk:  Solvents used in cleaning (ie. Methylene Chloride)
Observed Effects:  Infertility is three times higher in the dry cleaning industry

Medical Workers

Environmental Risk:  Exposure to ethylene oxide (used to sterilize instruments)
Observed Effects:  May cause birth defects in early pregnancy and miscarriage

X-Ray Technicians

Environmental Risk:  Repeated exposure to radiation
Observed Effects:  Affects sperm production and ovarian function

Agricultural Workers

Environmental Risk:  Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects

Forestry Workers

Environmental Risk:  Pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons
Observed Effects:  Infertility, decreased sperm count, ovarian problems

Factory Workers

Environmental Risk:  Numerous chemical and heavy metal exposures
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, developmental disorders

Firefighters

Environmental Risk:  Solvents used in firefighting

Observed Effects:  Hazardous to the female reproductive system

Pottery Workers

Environmental Risk:  Lead
Observed Effects:  Miscarriages, infertility and stillbirths

Dental Personnel

Environmental Risk:  Mercury vapors, nitrous oxide
Observed Effects: Greater risk for infertility, miscarriage

Operating Room Personnel

Environmental Risk:  Anesthetic gases
Observed Effects:  Reduced fertility and increased rates of pregnancy loss

Garment Workers

Environmental Risk:  Exposure to Carbon disulfide
Observed Effects:  Menstrual cycle changes

Battery Makers, Welders, Solderers

Environmental Risk:  Lead, mercury vapors
Observed Effects:  Infertility, miscarriage, developmental disorders

Home Remodelers, Painters

Environmental Risk:  Solvents (ie. Tuolene) used in paints, glues and varnishes
Observed Effects:  Carcinogens that are harmful to the reproductive system

Office Workers

Environmental Risk: Video display terminals (computers)
Observed Effects:  Women exposed to more than 20 hours per week may be at a higher risk for pregnancy loss because of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

Test for Heavy Metals and Mineral Imbalances using Hair Tissue Analysis

We suggest getting a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) to help you determine accurately what your body needs more of in terms of essential trace minerals and needs to eliminate in terms of toxic heavy metals and toxic mineral ratios.

Hair Analysis Report

Toxic mineral ratios and toxic metal accumulation following long term or acute exposure can contribute greatly to degenerative conditions like infertility.

Essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium and sodium all have important metabolic functions. However, too little or too much of any of these essential minerals can have an adverse affect on the human body and it’s ability to recover.

How can a hair analysis help me achieve better health?

hair analysis test report

If we consider that diet is what we consume and nutrition is what we retain, then we can see that discovering what your body needs when it needs it is a valuable tool in creating health.

The dangers of exposure to toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead and aluminum have been well documented over the years.

Hair Analysis test report

Levels of heavy metals in the body can only be accurately measured using a hair tissue analysis or a chelation challenge test (which can be expensive and have serious side-effects). Blood or urine tests give information about your metal or mineral levels at the time of the test only.

Testing for minerals in the urine measures the minerals that are being excreted from your body - not necessarily what has been absorbed as fuel for your body. So blood and urine tests are like snapshots whereas a hair analysis is the video of your mineral retention.

A hair analysis provides a biological profile of the past 2 – 3 months of intracellular activity revealing a unique metabolic world which cannot be seen through most other tests. The hair mineral analysis gives you or your healthcare professional much-needed information about mineral deficiencies and chemical imbalances in your body, especially if you’re suffering from symptoms of any disease or disorder, including infertility.

For FAQ’s about hair analysis, please click here.

For an overview of what is covered in a comprehensive hair analysis report (by Trace Elements, Inc.), please click here.
To purchase a comprehensive Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (by Trace Elements, Inc.), please click here or call 520-877-2637.
How to Detoxify your Body

If you have already been exposed to any of these toxins, or if you continue to work in a "high risk" profession, what should you do?  First of all, it is necessary to remove the stored toxins and chemicals from your body.

Toxic chemicals, metals and radiation poisons are stored within the tissues and organs of the body, and they are not removed through traditional detoxification methods, such as fasting. 

Infrared Saunas have an excellent reputation for removing both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. They are a wonderful addition to other natural chelators, especially for removing chemicals that one is exposed to on a daily basis. One drawback is that they are expensive ( $3,500 and up), or require visits to a health care practitioner's office.

Another very good and inexpensive way to detoxify is to take a bath in sodium bentonite clay. Sodium bentonite clay can be a very simple and effective way to remove heavy metals and chemical contaminants from the surface tissue of the body.

When you mix bentonite clay with water, it creates a large negatively charged surface area. When the body is in a tub of warm water, the warm water opens up the pores of the skin, and the positively charged toxic particles are drawn through the pores of the skin, to be absorbed by the clay.

Most chemical and metal toxins have a postive charge, whereas the clay has a negative charge. Thus, the toxins cannot resist being drawn towards the clay. Bentonite clay has a great capacity for absorbing many times its own weight in toxins. In other words, clay baths have been shown to literally pull pollutants out through the skin, getting rid of many months and years of toxic accumulations.

It is important that you find a clay that has been purified, so it contains no mold, yeast, bacteria or fungus. Also, it helps to use a clay that mixes well and disperses easily with warm water to get maximum effectiveness. Some clays do not mix well in the tub, leaving you with a cumbersome and messy clean-up.

For more info on an excellent benotinte clay for bathing, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.interstitial-cystitis-alternatives.org/4-step-guide-to-recovery#clay
Introducing The Thermal Life® FAR Infrared (FIR) Sauna
Take Advantage of the Special $500 Discount Offer Mentioned Below!
High Tech Health Sauna

The Infrared Sauna has an excellent reputation for detoxifying both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. It is an excellent therapy on its own or as an adjunct to other natural methods of detoxification.

Proper FAR infrared sauna therapy can be supportive for:

  • Detoxification
  • Enhanced Immune System Health
  • Improved Cardiovascular Health
  • Stress Releif
  • Weight and Cellulite Management
  • Pain Relief
  • Skin Beautification

FAR infrared saunas help to accomplish detoxification in the following manner: A layer of fat and oil exists just below the surface of the skin. The FAR infrared light resonates with the water molecules within these lipid or fat cells.

This vigorous activation of the water molecule stimulates the fat cells to excrete toxins. These toxins will be released through the skin's sweat channels as a result of the high temperature from the sauna. As sweat and oil are secreted, the toxins dissolved in them are secreted as well. By excreting these toxins and then washing them off your body, the toxic load on the body is lowered and cellular health improves.

Oil glands help remove oil-soluble toxins that the body would otherwise have a difficult time eliminating. We have created a world filled with oil-soluble toxins such as gasoline, solvents, pesticides, ingredients in toothpaste, personal care products, etc., which the body is not able to dispose of efficiently. The longer the skin is heated, the more oil-soluble toxins are eliminated.

No other sauna company that we know of knows as much about detoxification as High Tech Health, Inc. Their specialty is providing saunas that detoxify safely and effectively. Their Thermal Life® Sauna is designed to allow anyone to detoxify at a rate that is appropriate for them.

Bio-Resonance™ Heaters

The Thermal Life® Sauna utilizes specially designed Bio-Resonance™ ceramic heaters that provide the optimal level of far infrared exposure no matter where you are in your detoxification process. A special feature of the Bio-Resonance heater is the nature of the far infrared rays that is emits. FAR infrared is a band of electromagnetic energy, just as visible light and ultraviolet light are.

The difference between visible light and far infrared is that we cannot see far infrared. FAR infrared affects the body differently than ultraviolet or near infrared light. Heat lamps emit near infrared which is only absorbed by the surface of the skin. FAR, on the other hand, is absorbed into the body up to a depth of 1 and half inches. It is experienced as a softer heat sensation which is quite enjoyable.

FAR infrared rays also stimulate the production of endorphins, the "happy hormones", and have been prescribed for pain for a long time. Bio-Resonance heating technology ensures an enjoyable, detoxifying experience.

Comparing Ceramic to Carbon Heaters in FIRS

Hight Tech Health (HTH) researched "carbon heater" technology and found it to be significantly inferior to their trademarked BioResonance® emitters because carbon heaters are inefficient and poor emitters of far infrared waves. If the emitters don't produce good far infrared, then the detoxification effect is diminished. HTH emitters are alloy tubes filled with solid ceramic . The ceramic material is warmed to the temperature range where it emits the highest quality and quantity of FIR waves. (between 6-20 microns).

The surgical grade stainless steel reflectors behind the emitters reflect back into the cabin any FIR emitted from the rear of the emitters. This way, the cabin is completely filled with 100% FIR waves and none are lost into the walls of the sauna. Carbon emitters because of their poor design and emission, lose close to 50% of what little far infrared they do emit through the back walls, because there is nothing to reflect the waves back into the center of the sauna cabin.

Carbon emitters are large thin plastic or fiberglass panels with a thin layer of carbon material sandwiched in between, or lined with fabric with carbon fibers woven into the fabric, then laminated onto the panels with a wire grid behind them to heat them up. They are made large to compensate for the extreme inefficiency of far infrared light production. They take 40-45 minutes to warm up to the point where you can even get into the sauna vs. our saunas which are warm and ready to use in 10-15 minutes.

High Tech Health will not put plastic or fiberglass into their saunas because of concerns regarding possible out-gassing of chemical compounds from these panels. These types of saunas are primarily marketed for recreational use. Another downside to carbon heaters is because of their large panel size, they produce fairly strong electromagnetic fields. HTH heaters emit extremely low levels of EMF's, about 2-4 milligauss, which is equivalent to sitting next to a reading lamp.

Carbon heaters are inexpensive to construct. They don't tend to have a long life, and can burn out in 5-6 years. HTH has never had to replace a single heater in the 14 years of selling the Thermal Life saunas. It is by far, the most durable, energy efficient and long lasting technology in the industry.

The most important four points in buying a far infrared sauna in regards to the heater technology used are:

  1. Strength of Infrared – is the heater effective in promoting detoxification?
  2. Energy Efficiency
  3. Durability / Long lasting
  4. Warm-up time

Besides linking to their site in the below-mentioned link, you can call them directly (recommended) at 800-794-5355 or 303-413-8500 and speak to one of their knowledgeable product specialists.

By mentioning our website Evenbetterhealth.com, you will receive the discount when you place the order from them. As well, High Tech Health offers a 30 day money-back satisfaction guarantee, so you can try it risk free. They also offer a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship of the cabin, the heaters, and the electrical components.

For more information and to purchase the Thermal Life® Far Infrared Sauna from High Tech Health, Inc., please click here.

High Tech Health Sauna

Glutathione - An Important Detoxifier

Glutathione is a short string of amino acids called a peptide. It is composed of three amino acids: glycine, glutamine and cysteine.

Glutathione is a major player in detoxifying the body of many toxic pollutants, including toxic metals and chemicals. Glutathione deficiency impairs the body's ability to get rid of toxins whether they are environmental or the by-products of cellular metabolism.

If we have low glutathione levels we slowly become toxic, storing away poisons in our tissues, organs, muscles and brain. We simply cannot detoxify effectively if our glutathione levels are too low, no matter what form of detoxification we undertake.

Glutathione is made by all the cells in the body, and is the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifying agent. In one review, almost 80% of people with chronic ailments were found to be deficient in glutathione. In fact, low levels of glutathione are involved in all disease states.

Why? – because the heavier the cumulative toxic burden on the body, the greater this depletes supplies of glutathione. For example: One molecule of mercury uses up one molecule of glutathione. Since all chronic, degenerative disorders are triggered, in part, by the toxic load, it is small wonder to see why glutathione levels are such an important marker.

Glutathione is a supplement that is extremely difficult to absorb.  Most oral supplements are worthless, because the digestive tract destroys the nutrient before it can be absorbed. 

Supplements such as NAC can help your body make more glutathione, but the effect is mild. This is why intravenous therapy was once considered to be the only therapy that really works.

According to Dr. Marcus Laux, it is important to find an oral glutathione supplement that your body can truly absorb.  It survives the trip through your intestines because the glutathione is contained in microscopic little pouches called liposomes. Thus, the glutathione enters your bloodstream intact.  According to Dr. Laux, liposomes were recently tested in rigorous scientific studies, and were found to have an amazing 90% absorption rate.  That’s comparable to intravenous glutathione therapy, for a fraction of the cost. 

A cell culture study was conducted on glutathione at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by Gail Zeevalk, PhD. The study showed the neuro-protective nature of the glutathione from damage due to the known neuro-toxicants maneb (fungicide) and paraquat (herbicide).

Supportive Supplements for Infertility

Vitamin E and Selenium

Studies have shown that vitamin E is important to fertility for both men and women.  Vitamin E 400 IU with selenium 200 mcg daily shows pregnancies rise by 21%. Selenium is manufactured from plant-derived saccharides and combines an amino acid carrier to ensure absorption.

Buffered Vitamin C 

3000 mg or Vitamin C daily prevents low sperm count and sperm clumping, and is helpful for female infertility as well.

Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage. Vitamin C also helps to strengthen the walls of veins and arteries. It cleanses and flushes out toxins from your body.

Other Sources of Toxic Exposure

There are numerous sources of toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis, both at home and through our lifestyle choices.  The following is a list of exposures that are known to  have a negative effect on fertility and reproductive health:

  • Tap water
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Marijuana
  • Other illicit drugs, including cocaine
  • Alcohol (even moderate drinking can affect fertility)
  • Household cleaners
  • Pesticides and insecticides
  • Second-hand smoke
  • Old microwaves
  • Electric blankets or heating pads
  • Red meats (they may have synthetic hormones that mimic the effects of estrogen)
12 Steps to Ensure Good Reproductive Health
  1. Don't smoke.

  2. Don't use recreational drugs.

  3. Don't drink alcohol.

  4. Avoid caffeine, including coffee, soft drinks, chocolate and black teas.

  5. Use environmentally safe household cleaners and pesticides.

  6. Use protective equipment to reduce exposures to workplace hazards.

  7. Drink purified water to avoid chlorine and other chemicals.

  8. Avoid junk food, fast foods, and chemical-laced food.

  9. Eat organic meats, fruits and vegetables.

  10. Get mild, daily exercise.

  11. Take all reasonable treatments to remove toxins from the body.

  12. Use supportive supplements.

Thank you for visiting our page on Environmental Causes of Infertility!