“After finding out my AMH levels were low for my age, I wanted the security of knowing I had frozen eggs as a backup option. Gail gave me the tools to really identify ways I could specifically improve my egg quality ahead of this process, giving me the best chance of successful conception in my future.”
What were her symptoms?
Jessica came to me with a clear goal of maximising her diet and lifestyle ahead of freezing her eggs. She had recently done a blood test with her local GP which showed a lower AMH level than is considered normal for her age. This is a marker of her egg reserve, so it naturally caused her some concern around her future fertility. At 36 years old, she wasn’t in a relationship or at a point where she was considering having a child - although this was definitely something she wanted long-term. She had already gone through one round of unsuccessful egg collection, where no eggs had matured to a high enough quality, so she wanted to give herself the best chance at a second collection.
Alongside this, she had also previously experienced low iron levels and symptoms of anaemia, which resulted in low energy. Overall, she was really looking for guidance on a healthy, balanced diet and a supplementation protocol to support the egg freezing process. Her diet was predominantly very healthy and she regularly worked out, although her stress levels from work were extremely high and during these times she would slip into slightly bad habits (eating high sugar snacks).
Core symptoms:
Low AMH and concerns around egg health & quality
Low energy, brain fog and a lack of motivation
Frequently low iron levels, which were confirmed via blood tests
Where did we start?
In order to get a good overview of Jessica’s current eating habits and lifestyle patterns I asked her to complete a comprehensive health questionnaire, 3 day food diary analysis and lifestyle and mood assessment. There were a lot of positives in Jessica’s diet and she had a really good understanding of how to build a healthy plate, food diversity and a fundamental awareness of the importance of nutrition.
My key concern was to make sure the eggs she had were the best possible quality they could be. We started off by increasing her antioxidant intake via an uptake in fruit and vegetable consumption. Whilst she was already eating these daily, increasing the amount would drastically improve her micronutrient status. Jessica had been on the oral contraceptive pill for over 17 yrs and this invariably would have left her depleted in many nutrients needed for hormone balance, cycle regulation and optimal egg health. We focused on an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega 3’s, wholegrains and fibre. I also added in more food sources of iron, with both meat and plant based options, as well as upping her consumption of vitamin C to help aid its absorption. This helped the underlying anaemia and reduced her feelings of low energy.
The main detrimental factor of Jessica’s diet was her regular intake of alcohol. We looked to reduce this gradually across the 3 months we worked together, as it was something she enjoyed doing on a regular basis. The key issue with a higher consumption is that it can cause changes in ovulation, disrupt cycle length and even affect ovarian reserve. It can also be pro-inflammatory, backlog your detoxification processes and promote dehydration and cravings for energy dense foods.
Key areas we targeted:
Reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation to promote egg health
Increasing fertility promoting nutrients in to her day to day diet and reducing refined/processed foods
Supporting detoxification pathways
Targeting the endocrine system to balance hormone levels
What did we do long term?
Over time we began to shift our focus towards Jessica’s lifestyle. Her job was causing her continued periods of stress and to cope with this she was turning to high intensity exercise. Whilst exercise can be extremely beneficial for egg health, over exertion can also have negative impacts. This is due to elevated cortisol levels, a hormone responsible for our stress response.
A key priority was to down regulate Jessica’s nervous system by regulating and encouraging the parasympathetic nervous system - our relaxation state. She began to incorporate a daily mindfulness routine, including yoga and meditation, as well as switching her HIIT workouts for more strength based sessions and adding in recovery days. We also adapted her eating environment to encourage slower eating, away from distractions to make sure she was sufficiently digesting her food.
Supplements to promote Egg Health
In conjunction with her diet and lifestyle changes, I also recommended a bespoke supplements plan designed to target Jessica’s specific needs. Some of these included a high potency anti-inflammatory complex to boost the quality of her egg health, alongside a prenatal supplement and a sustainable omega 3. An egg takes approximately 3 months to mature and then ovulate. Having this time to work on diet and supplementation to ensure it has the right nutrients and environment to thrive can be crucial to improving the overall quality and chances of successful conception down the line.
On top of this to help reduce her stress levels and work on her mental health, we incorporated some adaptogens. These plant-based extracts have been shown to reduce the negative effects of stress on the body by modulating certain tissues and organs to reduce the stress response and restore the natural balance.
What changes did Jessica see?
Jessica instantly began to feel more energised and had a distinct improvement in her concentration levels and overall mood. The reduction in alcohol per week meant she had far less groggy days, which allowed her liver to focus on detoxifying excess hormones and toxins. She felt she was able to manage work stress more effectively and could adapt much more efficiently. When it came to the egg stimulation process, Jessica found the hormone treatment much less gruelling and intense on her body than the first round she had been through. She ended up getting 8 healthy eggs in total, which was a marked improvement and a fantastic result. Her iron levels had also improved and she became much more aware of how much and which foods to consume to get the right amount.
Here is what Jessica had to say...
“I found out I had a low egg reserve and immediately panicked about my future fertility options. At this point I began researching egg freezing and decided it was the right choice for me. I went through one round, which was unsuccessful as I didn’t respond well to the stimulation treatment. I felt a bit lost at this point and started to think children weren’t going to be an option for me. This is when I began looking into nutrition and lifestyle factors to improve my odds. I found Gail online and we immediately clicked. She had gone through her own fertility journey and I knew she understood the lows that came with that. I always thought of myself as pretty healthy, but I didn’t realise how many factors can play into egg health and ultimately affect their quality. Gail gave me the knowledge to make lasting changes to my diet. She was so adaptable in her approach and continually modified my plan to suit me and make me more compliant.
I had also consistently suffered with low iron levels and a subsequent lack of energy since my childhood. Gail ensured I was eating enough across my daily meals by regularly reviewing my food intake and giving me tips on ways to get more into my diet and improve its absorption. I started to feel a difference almost straight away, which really gave me confidence the diet plan was working. On top of this, I learnt how to support my body through exercise. Instead of doing more damage with repetitive gruelling exercises that were elevating my stress levels, I began to listen to what my body was telling me and started to take care of my mind, which was transformational.
When it came to the egg collection, I felt prepared and empowered by my knowledge and armed with questions to get the correct advice from my healthcare provider. The treatment was successful and they managed to retrieve 8 healthy eggs, which I was so happy with given the past failed round. I am due to go through a final egg collection early this year and Gail continues to support me in preparation. She has been such a beneficial resource and I’m so grateful for all the advice she has shared”.
If you're struggling with infertility, working with our fertility specialist can help you develop a nutrition plan that is tailored to your individual needs. Whether you're trying to conceive or simply looking to improve your health, eating a diet that is rich in fibre and other essential nutrients can provide important nutrition for fertility and pregnancy and support optimal hormonal balance.
Gail Madalena
Registered Nutritional Therapist, Fertility & Pregnancy Specialist
Gail Madalena is a registered nutritional therapist specialising in fertility, pregnancy and women’s health. Her expertise lies in hormonal imbalances, such as irregular cycles, debilitating PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid issues and sub-optimal fertility. Her goal is to reduce hormonal side effects and symptoms by addressing the root cause of the issue. Gail helps couples optimise your nutrition and lifestyle choices, supporting you on your journey to achieving a healthy pregnancy.
Comments