A US study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has found that 200mg of caffeine a day - approximately 3 cups of coffee - doubles the risk of miscarriage compared to women who avoid caffeinated products while pregnant. This is in line with other studies which have previously highlighted the risks of caffeine intake.
However, at present the current Food Standards Agency recommendation is an upper limit during pregnancy of 300mg - or four cups of coffee a day.
“As miscarriage is most likely to occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy”, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, who specialises in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, “I would advise giving up caffeine completely if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. Fortunately, as I know from experience, many women go off the taste of caffeine, so giving up caffeine may not seem as hard as you think. However, as caffeine is present in so many foods and drink sources (see table below), if you have trouble giving up or cutting down on caffeinated products seeing a Nutritionist may help. This is particularly relevant if you have a history of miscarriage.”
According to the Foods Standards Agency, 300mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to:
Four average cups or three average mugs of instant coffee
Three average cups of brewed coffee
Six average cups of tea
Eight cans of regular cola drinks
Four cans of so-called "energy" drinks
400g (eight standard 50g bars) of normal chocolate
Please note that caffeine content in a cup of tea or coffee varies by different brands and brewing methods
To find out more about Nutritional support during or before your pregnancy, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2. I have also written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy, which can be obtained by clicking on my link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7195500.stm
Monday, 21 January 2008
Consumption of caffeine increases risk of miscarriage
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Infertility risks high among cancer patients
A new report by experts from the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Radiologists, and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists state that the NHS does not have a universal policy to maximise fertility among cancer sufferers.
The four main treatments for cancer — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy — can all affect fertility and most doctors advise women not to become pregnant until at least two years after chemotherapy because of the likelihood of the cancer coming back.
What many people do not realise is that cancer in many instances can be avoided, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy. Incredibly, the World Cancer Research Fund has estimated that 30-40% of cancers could be prevented through correct dietary choices.
Making adjustments to your diet can therefore help your body to work properly and to ward off or reverse ill-health. This is especially important if there is a history of cancer in your family, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.
Consequently, seeking professional dietary advice may help considerably to minimise your risk of getting cancer, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown.
To find out more, contact Melody Mackeown
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Nutritional Intervention helps endometriosis pain control
A research study published in the Fertility and Sterility Journal, December 2007 published on reuters, supports the use of dietary therapy intervention for women suffering from endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects approximately 2 million women in the UK, most of which are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40. Endometriosis can occur in several places in the body, most commonly including the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the bladder, the bowel, the intestines, the vagina, and the rectum. As a result, endometriosis can cause infertility in some women. In addition, many women with the condition are often thought to have lower immunity to other conditions.
The study looked at women who took hormone suppression, dietary therapy or a placebo. The researchers stated that the latter two groups reported less menstrual pain, non-menstrual pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse at 12 months' follow-up than did women who received the placebo. Women in all treatment groups also experienced significant improvements in quality of life measures.
Consequently, seeking professional dietary advice may help considerably with this debilitating condition, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy.
To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION
SOURCE: Fertility and Sterility, December 2007.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSLAU88369420080108
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
More Evidence that Breast is Best
More evidence has emerged (Pediatrics, 2008) that breastfeeding for at least 4 months, compared with feeding formula made with intact cow milk protein, prevents or delays the occurrence of atopic dermatitis, cow milk allergy, and wheezing in early childhood.
There are a vast array of other reasons why breast is best for your baby says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy, including having a higher IQ, developing fewer colds, ear infections, gastric infections and pneumonia. Breastfeeding is also best for you as it can help you lose weight more easily – breastfeeding uses up 500 calories a day! It also promotes greater bonding between mum and baby.
Sadly, less than a third of mums in the UK are still breastfeeding at 4 months. One of the key reasons appears to be insufficient milk and that new mums find it too exhausting.
However, optimising your diet during your pregnancy and while breastfeeding may help ensure you have the correct nutrients to provide a plentiful supply of milk and give you enough energy to keep going while your breastmilk flow is established and you and your baby learn how best to breastfeed – this takes around 6 weeks!
I have written a free e-book on how you can improve your diet during your pregnancy. To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.
Friday, 4 January 2008
Being overweight reduces your chances of becoming pregnant
It is well known that if you are overweight it affects your fertility and chances of becoming pregnant naturally and another study published last year by researchers at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam have again drawn the same conclusion.
It is known that obesity disrupts ovulation and many women who are overweight do not ovulate regularly. However, what was not known for certain is it that fertility also declines among overweight women who are ovulating regularly.
After following over 3,000 couples, the study found that women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (which is considered obese) had a significantly lower probability of becoming pregnant naturally than women with BMIs between 21 and 29 (which is considered normal weight).
Further, the more obese the woman was, the harder time she had with conception. Compared with normal weight women, women with a BMI of 35 had a 26 percent lower chance of getting pregnant naturally, while women with a BMI of 40 had a 43 percent lower chance. This means that the more overweight you are, the harder it becomes to get pregnant.
Obese women may have disturbed hormone levels, which decrease their chances of successful fertilization, researchers said.
Fortunately, there was also recent review into the most effective diet to lose weight and it was concluded that you lose more weight on a low glycaemic diet, which is the diet (or healthy eating pattern) that I promote to all my clients whether or not they are overweight.
To find out more, contact UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown Dip.ION (mBANT), specialist in pre-conceptual care, fertility and pregnancy care in the city of London, EC2.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
Having an older brother may decrease Fertility
Research looking at historical data by The University of Sheffield has concluded that having boys takes more out of a mother and may reduce her lifespan. One theory is that male fetuses produce more of the sex hormone testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol. Both these hormones may make a mother’s immune system weaker, thereby making her more vulnerable to illnesses and disease.
Surprisingly, it was also found that offspring to mothers whose first child was a boy were likely to have fewer children, than those in families where the first child was a girl. This was true regardless of the gender of your second or subsequent child (i.e. whether you have a boy or girl). This may also be a result of the mother having a weaker immune after first having a boy. It may also be due to the first born boy depleting more nutrients from the mother’s stores. Consequently, younger siblings may not receive the same nutrients throughout pregnancy.
“What this suggests”, says UrBod Nutritionist Melody Mackeown, “is that optimizing your diet before and during all pregnancies is vital for a mother’s immune system (especially if you are having a boy) and then for your children for their reproductive health later in life (especially it would seem for younger siblings).
The best way to do this is to eat a good, balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day) and protein sources such as meat, poultry and fish. Meat is a good source of animal protein and important minerals such as iron and zinc, with zinc being especially important for male fertility. Fatty fish is a very good source of essential fats, which are important in the development of the foetus.
Welcome to Nutrition, Fertility & Pregnancy in the City Of London
Who are we?
Our company is called UrBod, we are a team of qualified nutritionists. All of the team are fully insured and members of the British Association of Nutritional Therapists.
Kenny Tranquille Nutritional Therapist & NLP Coach, in Canary Wharf and the City of London.
Melody Mackeown, Nutritional Therapist & Foresight Practitioner, City of London.
Amanda Michie, Nutritional Therapist & Foresight Practitioner, City of London.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Free Healthy Bump' Tasters City of London EC2
Melody Mackeown, UrBod Nutritionist & Foresight Practitioner, City of London is offering free fertility sessions.
By choosing a Free 'Healthy Bump' Taster you'll learn all about the possible underlying causes to your health issue, which foods will be beneficial and you should increase and which foods to cut down on. To book or find out more click here