Milk and fertility?

[Feisty Fidget]

Hi all, I've just taken the plunge into the fertility diet and I'm currently confused about the no milk rule.

Sarah Dobbyn (author of the fertility diet) is pretty clear that she thinks that milk and dairy are large no nos when it comes to eating for pregnancy.

However pretty much every other 'specialist' out there is claiming that dairy is needed for fertility and a healthy pregnancy - they claim it helps.

I'm really confused

Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[BabyDancing13]

Throughout my cycles I have always drank a pint of milk daily as recommended by my consultant. It contains protein which the cells in the eggs need alot of to develop and improve quality.

 

[Feisty Fidget]

See this is exactly what I thought - we switched to organic whole milk a few years ago to help things along.

The author claims that adults can't really process milk, so the body is so busy trying to digest it, that it can't focus on fertility and so as a result fertility suffers. She states that the protein found in plant foods and seeds is a much healthier way of achieving the correct levels and it boosts fertility rather than hindering it.

 

[BabyDancing13]

Hmm... I'm not sure on her thoughts and just go along with what my clinic say I always try have a high protein diet in general i.e.: Plenty of salmon, eggs, milk, high protein yoghurts, 2ltr water daily (milk can count towards fluid intake), a few brazil nuts, chicken, steak, fruits and veg.

 

[messica]

I do think it contributes to many of our health problems.

Humans are the only species that continue to consume the milk of other species, much less into adulthood.


I happen to believe we should follow what nature indicates is the natural order of things. All other mammals wean their young with rare to no exception. You don't see every other animal tipping over from nutritional deficiencies/osteoporosis so the idea that we're going to be unhealthy without it is pretty silly. In fact, studies have proven cows milk actually contains proteins that leech calcium from the bones, making them weaker over time.

I am not a peta freak who is anti animal products, I'm actually an avid hunter and don't mind reaping the benefits of sitting at the top of the food chain *however* I think science has spoken about the negative affect cows milk can and does have on our bodies and immune responses. Combine that with the fact that most pasteurized milk available to us (the pasteurizing process destroys almost all enzymes, vitamins and minerals) is also contaminated with loads of with antibiotics, allergens, pus, fat, cholesterol, chemicals and hormones - there's just no way I can see it as good for anyone, much less couples struggling to conceive!

 

[Feisty Fidget]

Thanks Messica, the author used a lot of the same examples, she also stated that countries that have lower dairy consumption, do not have as many fertility problems as those with a high intake.

I think for now I am going to cut it out almost completely, but still have the odd bit of organic cheese with a meal, and one cup of tea with organic milk a day. Hopefully this will allow me to benefit from both arguments

 

[Hope3]

If staying off milk was the only thing causing infertility I'd have conceived years ago!

I can't stand milk, never have. I might occasionally have it if it's in a sauce and the taste is heavily disguised. The only other dairy I have is yoghurt and cheese occasionally.

I'm counting on my various vitamins to provide my calcium and vitamin D.

There is probably some sense to eliminating anything that plays havoc with your digestion/immune system be that milk, gluten or anything else.

 

[amy8686]

I've read that low-fat and skim dairy products can be a problem for fertility, but that whole milk products were ok. Something about the way the hormones are absorbed?

For me, I've figured out that milk products cause inflammation (my skin suddenly improved when I stopped eating it), so I'm thinking that for me it's best to avoid it. But I think that unless you have a sensitivity, some whole milk / cheese (mmmmmm, cheese) / yogurt in your diet would be fine.

 

[Briss]

I agree with BabyDancing. I also think it depends on where you live, I've heard US milk is pretty bad. UK milk seems to be of reasonably good quality. Also, if your body does not digest it well then probably it's not a good idea to force yourself to drink it. I personally love milk but most recently increased my intake and switched to whole milk to improve egg quality and generally try to have more protein in my diet.

 

[TTC First]

This may not be what you are referring to however I just learned something so I thought I would share.

My doctor mentioned that there was a study done and it looked at dairy and men. They said that men who had little dairy had more fertility issues. She said that they don't have to go overboard, just ensure you have a reasonable amount.

 

[europa59]

I think that it is a very personal thing that depends on how well or poorly your body handles milk and milk products. I think dairy is fine for those whose body's handle it well, and problematic for those of us who have problems digesting it.