Natural Detoxification for Fertility and Fetal Health
Preparing her body for conception and pregnancy is one of the most important things a woman can do for her health and the health of her baby. This is especially true today, when according to the Centers for Disease Control a growing number of women have difficulty getting pregnant, and more than 9 million of those women seek fertility services each year.
While experts agree that eating well, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep are essential to a healthy pregnancy, they may not always be enough. That's because women today must contend with an overwhelming number of harmful toxins that have the potential to interfere with successful conception and pregnancy. The answer, many natural health practitioners say, begins with herbal internal cleansing prior to conception. Practiced by myriad cultures throughout history, herbal cleansing supports the body's natural ability to filter and eliminate hazardous toxins and waste, and research indicates that it may even help women prime their bodies for a healthy pregnancy.
More Toxins, More Risk
Currently there are more than 80,000 chemicals in use in the United States alone, with roughly 1,000 more being produced each year scores of which have been shown to cause everything from mild allergies to birth defects and chronic disease.
Research shows that certain environmental toxins, including widely-used pesticides and insecticides such as DDT (banned in the U.S. since the 1970s) mimic female sex hormones known as estrogens. In doing so, they can adversely affect the levels of both estrogen and progesterone in the body. Progesterone is another hormone that is critical to healthy reproduction, as it helps secure the fertilized egg to the uterine wall and prevent infertility and miscarriage.
Published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, one study examined the effects of toxic metals such as lead and mercury on fertility and found that "reduction of an increased heavy metal body load improved the spontaneous conception chances of infertile women." For this reason, many targeted cleansing formulas focus on drawing out toxic metals from deep within the cells and tissues and removing them from the body.
A Mother's Womb: Safe No More?
In the past, a mother's womb was considered a safe haven. It was therethat the developing fetus received everything necessary for optimal growth andwas shielded from the harsh exterior world until the moment of birth. Today,science has proven otherwise. Growing research reveals that the womb is no longer the sanctuary it once was. Rather, if a mother is exposed even to trace amounts of hazardous chemicals, those toxins will be passed along to her baby through the roughly 300 quarts of blood that are circulated daily through the umbilical cord and into the placenta.
In a recent study conducted by the non-profit organizations Environmental Working Group and Commonweal, researchers found that in addition to supplying the fetus with vital nutrients, the umbilical cord also carries "a steady stream of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides that cross the placenta as readily as residues from cigarettes and alcohol". Of the 287 chemicals detected in the umbilical cord blood of each participant, "180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development." (http://archive.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2)
Herbal Cleansing for Mother and Baby
As early as a year before conceiving, natural health practitioners recommend that women embark a personal detoxification journey that includes regular internal cleansing. One reason why cleansing prior to conception is so important is because it helps to strengthen and tone the detoxification organs which will eventually experience increased stress during pregnancy.
Research indicates that herbal detoxification may also support proper circulation and help cleanse the uterine wall, both of which help provide a healthy environment for the developing embryo. Further, several studies have made a connection between herbal cleansing and an increase in the number of readily available egg cells, as well as improving the overall health of a woman's eggs.
When choosing an herbal cleanse, look for a formula with ingredients such as burdock root, dandelion leaf and root, milk thistle seed, turmeric, red clover, nettle, and yellow dock, all of which have been used traditionally to help purify the blood and provide cleansing and nutritive support for the entire body. Natural digestive aids such as ginger root, fennel, cumin, spearmint and peppermint may also be added to enhance absorption and promote healthy bowel function.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Beyond
The benefits of herbal cleansing go beyond just supporting healthy conception. Experts agree that an excess amount of toxins in the body may be the cause of some of the more unpleasant side effects of pregnancy, including nausea, heartburn, constipation, mood swings and low energy, so detoxifying the body prior to becoming pregnant may help alleviate these symptoms and ensure a healthier, happier nine months. Finally, just as the umbilical cord can carry toxins to a developing fetus in the womb, a mother's breast milk can transfer harmful contaminants to the newborn baby. For this reason, cleansing prior to pregnancy can help rid the body of toxins that may otherwise be circulated through the bloodstream and into the breast milk.
Important Note: Consult your health practitioner before beginning any cleansing program. Women who are currently pregnant or trying to conceive should NOT use any herbal internal cleansing formula.
Source: www.BrendaWatson.com