by Anne StClair

Created on: September 15, 2009   Last Updated: December 02, 2010

Around one in six Americans have fertility problems, often because of problems with sperm production or viability,  or problems with egg production or viability, such as blocked fallopian tubes. Happily, there are many simple ways of improving fertility and most couples can conceive quite naturally, with just a little help. Factors such as poor health, poor diet, chemicals in the food or environment, age, and exposure to chemicals in the home can also cause poor fertility.

1. Increase Exercise

Moderate exercise combined with a balanced diet helps maintain a healthy weight and improve fertility. In women, excess body fat can increase estrogen levels and disrupt fertility cycles, and exercise helps to burn off the excess. It also brings hormone levels back into balance in both men and women.

A warning though: do not overdo the exercise because this can reduce fertility, and in women too much exercise can stop periods altogether. Prefer natural exercises such as walking, cycling, swimming, and stair climbing.

2. Reduce Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is known to reduce fertility and can lower sperm count and increase the chances of the man producing abnormal sperm. Some people believe that drinking can relax you and help you conceive more readily, but this has never been proven, and there are other relaxation methods that do not reduce fertility.

3. Reduce Caffeine

Some studies have shown that caffeine can reduce fertility in men and women to the extent that even one cup of coffee per day can cut fertility by 50%. Other studies are not so clear and more research is needed, but if you are trying to maximize your fertility it makes sense to limit caffeine intake.

The major sources of caffeine in the western diet are coffee, tea, chocolate, and many sodas. If you don't want to give up caffeine altogether, simply reduce the number of cups of coffee you drink, or choose decaffeinated coffee or lower caffeine drinks. As a guide, brewed coffee contains around 120 mg of caffeine, decaffeinated 5 mg, black tea 45 mg, green tea 20 mg, dark chocolate 20 mg, milk chocolate 6 mg, and colas around 35 mg, depending on the brand.

4. Boost Your Immune System

Your immune system is your body's best friend because it wards off diseases and keeps you healthy. If you are trying to conceive, boost your chances by boosting your immune system by including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Vitamin C and selenium are among the best additions to your diet to improve your immune

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