Is Infertility Linked To Digestive Problems?

Heavy Metals - Make Getting Pregnant Harder

Did you know, heavy metals contribute to lowered fertility in both men and women? if you are trying to conceive and want to get pregnant faster, testing for heavy metals is a great place to start. It could be the missing link to why you can't get pregnant - read more ...



Heavy metals make getting pregnant harder as they affect both both male and female fertility. Unfortunately, heavy metals are rarely tested as part of a fertility treatment plan. Heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, nickel, lead, molybdenum and copper (to name a few) can interfere with the production or action of hormones, sperm production and health and oocyte quality and decrease fertility. Research also indicates heavy metals to play a role in Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOS) and Premature Ovarian Failure (an inability to ovulate). These are common causes of infertility in women. The good news is testing is available at BUMP

What most people don't realize is you don’t need to work in an industrial environment to be exposed to heavy metals, they are far more commonly present that you’d think; and if your body has trouble eliminating them, they can easily accumulate and interfere with your hormones and contribute to

Mercury, Dental Fillings and Getting Pregnant

Mercury and dental fillings can make getting pregnant difficult as they lower your fertility.
Mercury is a nasty heavy metal that a lot of people are exposed to through dental fillings. Women with 4-10 amalgam fillings were estimated to uptake 8-30 mcg mercury daily through their saliva, women with over 10 fillings were estimated to uptake 163 mcg (4,6), with this amount more than doubling if they were chewing (for instance on gum). To put this in perspective, the World Health Organisation puts the upper limit at 1 mcg per day (4).

Significantly higher levels of mercury were found in women with PCOS, possibly because mercury lowers progesterone levels but increases oestrogen (4,6), impairs ovulation and lowers thyroid function (4,6) – which are all causes for infertility.

Copper, water pipes and Fertility

Copper levels are significantly higher in women with PCOS than without (1,2). A main source of copper is drinking water piped through copper pipes or that has had copper added to it – copper can be added to water reservoirs to reduce algae growth. The Oral Contraceptive Pill and a copper IUD can also contribute to higher copper levels. (7)

Copper has an affinity for oestrogen: when the one rises, so does the other; but it also is an antagonist for zinc which as an affinity for progesterone. This means that high copper levels increase oestrogen but decrease progesterone levels. Add to this that is also impairs thyroid function, and it is clear how it contributes to infertility.

Lead, paint and irregular periods

Lead was commonly used in house paint until the 1970’s. An estimated 30-50% of the population lives in houses built before then. If you belong to this group, you are at greater risk of inhaling of miniscule paint chips containing lead, and this can lead to lead toxicity.
Other sources include soil contaminated with sediment of industrial or car exhausts, especially in densely populated areas. Growing your own vegetables under those circumstances is not recommended. Water pipes used to be made of lead and many are still in use. They can leak lead into drinking water and contribute to toxicity that way. Cosmetics, finally, can also contain lead.(8)

Lead has been shown to inhibit progesterone and impair prolactin production, thus creating irregular periods (4,5,6). Low levels of lead increase production of oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol, but high levels inhibit them. (5) These imbalances can all lead to irregular periods and infertility.
Interestingly, one study showed that intrauterine exposure (exposure in the mother’s womb) lead to irregular cycles and infertility of the offspring (4). This means you could have inherited lead toxicity from your mother, and that you can pass it on to your children.

Cadmium, pesticides and Fertility

Cadmium is found in pesticides and animal fodder, and thus in non-organic animal products. The nasty thing about cadmium is that one of the places it is stored is the pituitary gland – the master gland that signals to your thyroid, adrenals and ovaries - and that it is excreted through breast milk amongst other things. Even low level-exposure to cadmium can interfere with hormone production, while it can take up to 20 years before it is completely metabolized. (4,5) This means you only need to be exposed to a tiny bit for it to have long-lasting consequences.

Cadmium can affect thyroid function and interrupt signalling to the ovaries. It has been linked to low progesterone and prolactin levels but more potent androgens (3-5). It potentially plays a role in PCOS because of this.

Cadmium levels were found to be elevated in women with endometriosis, uterine fibroids and those who had miscarriages. (3-5)  It has also been shown to increase the number of NK (Natural Killer) immune cells. NK cells need to be low during pregnancy to allow for a baby to grow in the mother’s body; if they are high this can cause recurrent miscarriages. (6)

Nickel, margarine, tea and PCOS

Nickel is found everywhere: in the air, soil and foods. Margarine is one of the foods highest in nickel, because nickel is used in process that solidifies fat. Tea is also high in nickel – high nickel levels are often food in people who drink large amounts of tea.(8)

A study published this year showed that women with endometriosis had significantly higher levels of nickel than others: 2.6 mcg/L compared to 0.8 mcg/L (3). This is possibly because nickel acts as an oestrogen (3) and creates an oestrogen-dominant environment. It is noteworthy that these levels are still deemed to be non-toxic.(3)

Nickel also decreases iodine uptake by the thyroid, inhibits the release of prolactin and growth hormone, and can induce insulin resistance (5). It has the potential to play a role in PCOS this way.

How can you test for heavy metals?

Heavy metals are quickly deposited in body tissues. Therefore blood tests are poor indicators for heavy metal load. (4) Urinary excretion tests give an indication on how much is eliminated through urine, but if your body is not yet excreting it but keeping it in storage it still isn’t a good indicator. Urine tests are useful once you have started a monitored heavy metal detoxification program.
The best way to assess storage levels is through a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis – provided you haven’t coloured or dyed your hair in the last 12 weeks. Otherwise nail clippings can also give a reliable reading.

Reduce heavy metal load to improve fertility

If tests show that you have elevated levels of heavy metals, the next step is to plan elimination carefully. Various studies have shown that the toxic effects of heavy metals can be reduced by taking zinc, calcium or vitamin C (6). However, it is recommended to consult your BUMP health care practitioner for the best approach. Firstly because taking one mineral to counteract another can create imbalances amongst other minerals and do more harm than good; and secondly because once mobilized from their storage, the heavy metals become more toxic. You need a practitioner who is trained in this area to guide you safely through this process.

One final word: heavy metal elimination is a lengthy process that can easily take 12 months or more to complete. It needs to be considered well before trying to conceive.

This research was brought to you by Narelle Stegehuis, a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 20 years clinical experience. She is an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the media. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles and can be contacted at, www.bumpfertility.com.au <http://www.bumpfertility.com.au/>

References:
1. Chakraborty P, Ghosh S, Goswami SK, Kabir SN, Chakravarty B, Jana K, “Altered trace mineral milieu might play an aetiological role in the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Synddrome” – Biol Trace Elem Res, 2013 Jan 16.
2. Kurdoglu ZZ, Kordoglu MM, Demir HH, Sahin HH, “Serum trace elements and heavy metals in polycystic ovary syndrome” – Hum Exp Toxicol 31(5):452-6, 2012
3. Silva N, Senanayake H, Waduge V, “Elevated levels of whole blood nickel in a group of Sri Lankan women with endometriosis” – Biomed Central Notes, 2013;6:13
4. Gerhard I, Monga B, Waldbrenner A, Runnebaum B, “Heavy metals and fertility” – Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Feb 1998
5. Georgescu B, Georgescu C, Daraban S, Bouaru A, Pascalau S, “Heavy metals acting as endocrine disrupters” – An Science of Biotechnologies, 2011, 44(2)
6. Gerhard I, Waibel S, Daniel V, Runnebaum B, “Impact of heavy metals on hormonal and immunological factors in women with repeated miscarriages” – Human reproduction Update 1998, vol 4, no 3, p 301-309
7. Wilson L, “Copper Toxicity Syndrome”, Centre for Development, revised July 2011
8. Watts DL, “Elements and other essential nutrients, clinical