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Nutrition and Endometriosis

May 2, 2017 by Dr Julie Vecera

dr julie vecera, acupuncture, fertility, nutrition, lifestyle program

Aetiology – Endometriosis affects an estimate of 176 million women of a reproductive age worldwide, it is an inflammatory condition that targets the endometrial tissue outside the uterus associated with lesions, pelvic pain and infertility (Mills, D, S. 2016).

There are four stages of endometriomas according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

  • Stage I – small spots of endometriosis, filmy adhesions.
  • Stage II – Small spots of endometriosis, filmy adhesions, and small cysts.
  • Stage III – Larger implants for endometriosis over a more extensive area, approximately 3cm thick, organs stick together with these type of adhesions.
  • Stage IV – The womb, ovaries, bowel and bladder are covered with implants, and the abdomen also maybe filled with blood from implants, organs adhere together this is known as frozen pelvis (The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 1992).

Signs & Symptoms

  • Infertility
  • Acute pain before menses
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fainting
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Back pain radiating down the leg
  • Pain with urination and bowel movement
  • Fatigue 


Preferred dietary approaches: Foods to include:

  • High fibre foods
  • Organic vegetarian diet
  • Emphasize phase 2 liver support with carrots, beets, artichokes, lemons, dandelions greens, watercress, burdock root, cabbage family,
  • Indole-3-carbinol in broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
  • Onions, garlic, leek
  • Soy isoflavones and flaxseed lignans
  • Turmeric
  • Milk thistle seeds soaked and ground
  • Increase omega 3 fatty acids (wild fish, flax)

Foods to avoid:

less meat protein, soy, nut butters, decrease sugar and caffeine, dairy, red meat and alcohol, decrease omega 6 fatty acids (red meat).

Possible nutritional supplements and why they are recommended:

Vitamin C to increase cellular immunity
Beta-cartene enhances immunity and increases T-helper cells
Vitamin E helps to correct abnormal progesterone/estradiol ratios which increases cell growth of the endometeriomas, also prevents the release of inflammatory chemicals
Essential Fatty Acids gamma lionenic acid in borage, black seed and evening primrose oil and alpha-linenic acid in flax seed, canola, pumpkin, soy, walnuts helps to decrease tissue inflammation
Vitamin B complex helps the liver inactivate estrogen
Selenium aids in synthesis of liver detoxification antioxidant enzymes and stimulates WBC and thymus function
Lipotropics enhance liver function and detoxification reactions, promotes bile flow and facilitates excretion of estrogen metabolites

Lifestyle changes:

  • Increase exercise – 10-40 minutes per day
  • Avoid smoking and drinking

Natasha Dunn – Embryologist, nutritionist, yoga teacher and contributor to the Fertility Lifestyle Program

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Dr Julie Vecera, endometriosis, fertility, Fertility Lifestyle Program, nutrition

Vitamin D deficiency and its relation to infertility

November 21, 2016 by Dr Julie Vecera

dr julie vecera, acupuncture, fertility, nutrition, lifestyle program, Vitamin D deficiency

Over the last decade we seem to hear so much about Vitamin D deficiency and infertility.  In fact, it’s so spoken about that people are staring to disregard it as if it’s just an over-diagnosis.

When it comes to Vit D’s role in the body and its relation to infertility we need to understand how important and how much it actually does.  The role it’s most known for is helping the body absorb calcium which keeps bones strong.  However, new research shows us that a deficiency in Vit D can affect many other aspects of our health which may surprise you.  Many chronic diseases such as, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and even cancer can be associated with Vit D deficiency.  You see, we knew that Vit D affected cells within the bones but now we know that it also affects cells within different organs of the body.  How does it do this?  Well, it is able to to turn a cell ‘on and off’ which means it can affect the way a cell operates, or carries out its function.  So, that’s pretty huge that Vit D can totally control whether a cell continues to grow or die.  This is why Vit D deficiency is said to increase the risk of some cancers, such as prostate, breast and colon cancers by between 30-50%.  So, infertility is just one possible side affect to Vitamin D deficiency.

So, what about our fertility health?  A deficiency of Vit D can lead to underdevelopment of the uterus and an inability to form mature eggs.  A study showed that mice with Vit D deficiency once pregnant had problems with the growth of their fetus.  The good news in these studies is that with Vit D supplementation reproductive health was normalized in the mice.

Vit D is important in so many ways when we look at female reproduction.  Firstly, the active form of Vit D (calcitriol) is able to control the genes which make estrogen.  Also, the role of Vit D, or calcitriol, plays a huge role in implantation because the lining of the uterus produces calcitriol once it realizes the embryo has entered the uterine cavity just before implantation is due to take place.  Then once a woman is pregnant the placenta and the uterus continue to produce calcitriol to protect the fetus from infection.

A study was done with women undergoing IVF.  It found that women with higher levels of Vit D significantly more likely to become pregnant compared to those with lower levels.  Another study even showed that women who were undergoing embryo transfer with a donor egg were less likely to have a successful pregnancy result with Vit D deficiency.  This shows us how ever important the role of Vit D is within the uterus.

So, do take Vit D seriously if your blood results are showing you may have a deficiency.  Get sunshine in healthy doses (without getting burnt), because the majority of our Vit D is naturally made in the skin after UVB exposure.  Even if you take a supplement (which you should if you have a deficiency) the body will still require UVB form.  In fact, just increasing your supplement dosage can actually be harmful to your health.  Remember to step outside, even if it’s cloudy, during your lunch break to support your fertility health.  The team behind the Fertility Lifestyle Program go out daily for at least 20 minutes.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Bump Acupuncture & Nutrition, Dr Julie Vecera, Fertility Lifestyle Program, infertility, Vitamin D

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    Welcome to The Fertility Pod


    IVF Support and Natural Fertility – Melbourne

    At The Fertility Pod (formerly Bump Acupuncture & Nutrition), our focus is on the physical and emotional state of the person as a whole.  This means looking at being in optimum health to maximize the chances of fertility and the ability to bounce back after the pregnancy.  Whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally, or are needing that extra bit of IVF support, we are there with you.  For this reason we have created the Fertility Lifestyle Program to help guide you through the journey of becoming pregnant.

    All treatments are designed specifically for your particular needs through a combination of IVF acupuncture, nutritional advice, herbal medicine and massage. Our clinic provides a place to relax between appointments both before and after your embryo transfer.  We want to fill the voids we have experienced throughout the IVF process. Pre/Post embryo transfer acupuncture is done at our Monash IVF locations in Brighton East, Hawthorn and Clayton as well as our Carlton Wellness Centre.

    We are pleased to now be treating in Brighton East at the Melbourne Fertility & Endosurgery Centre.

    We collaborate with Monash IVF

    About The Fertility Pod Acupuncture & Nutrition
    The Fertility Pod @
    The Carlton Wellness Centre
    23a/255 Drummond St
    Carlton, Vic 3053
    Also seeing patients in Brighton East, Hawthorn and Clayton.
    (03) 9348 2867
    0433 784 843
    info@thefertilitypod.com.au
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