From the Material to the Mystical

In an effort to combat the tragedy of infertility, more and more individuals are turning to science for such unnatural methods of procreation and conception as in vitro fertilization and fertility drugs. These procedures, along with poor sperm and egg quality, increase the likelihood of birth defects, further exacerbating personal suffering.

The dietary histories of persons suffering from reproductive disorders generally reflect a pattern of extremism. The ingestion of highly refined foods is often implicated in such male reproductive disorders as impotence, low sperm count, and low levels of male hormones. In contrast, a diet composed largely of fatty, animal-quality, and salty foods can excessively contract and constrict the male reproductive system, eventually leading to such problems as testicular blockages and prostate inflammation. In women, a diet high in fatty animal foods and hard, dried, baked goods will also generate fat accumulations in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. This condition can lead to blockage of the tubes, the formation of cysts and tumors, and shortened, painful menstruation or, in the extreme, amenorrhea, or the total cessation of menstruation.

Guidelines for adjusting one’s diet for particular disorders.

Whole Cereal Grains:

In all cases of reproductive disorders, male and female, the primary grains to be emphasized are short-grain brown rice, millet, and barley. If any surgery has occurred within a year, or in cases of lack of ovulation or fallopian adhesions, all buckwheat products, including kasha and soba noodles, should be strictly avoided.

In the case of testicular blockages, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, and cysts, grains should be cooked with kombu sea vegetable (a one-inch piece per cup of grain) rather than with sea salt. Brown rice cooked with adzuki beans is especially recommended for male hormonal deficiencies and male genitourinary tract infections. Softer cooking of grains is recommended for lack of ovulation.

Soups:

For all disorders, soup should be limited to one or two small bowls per day, with miso soup taken daily. For testicular blockages, male hormonal deficiencies, genitourinary tract infections, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, and fallopian adhesions, the soup should emphasize the use of green leafy vegetables, in a ratio of approximately two-thirds leafy greens to one-third other vegetables. As much as possible, and especially in cases of problems with cervical mucus, soups should include a small amount of wakame or kombu sea vegetable as frequently as possible. Daikon radish should be used in miso soup two to three times per week for persons suffering from testicular blockages, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, and female hormonal blockages.

Vegetables:

For low sperm count or motility, oil-sauteed vegetables may be eaten two to three times per week. For male hormonal deficiencies, once a week. For problems with cervical mucus and failure to ovulate, once a week. For all other conditions, after at least one month on a healing diet, oil may be used once a week, in small amounts.

All vegetables recommended for the standard macrobiotic diet may be eaten. For persons suffering from endometriosis, emphasize daikon, carrots, turnips, and dandelions, all with their greens whenever possible. These vegetables should be consumed three to four times per week.

Beans and Bean Products:

For all reproductive disorders, it is better to avoid the use of fresh tofu for several months, substituting instead dried tofu, which can be purchased in natural or Asian food stores. Soak dried tofu and use it just like regular, fresh tofu.

For cases of low sperm count, male hormonal deficiencies, genitourinary tract infections, problems with cervical mucus, fallopian adhesions, failure to ovulate, and sexually transmitted diseases, limit the use of "occasional use" beans to once or twice a month. For all other disorders, avoid these beans entirely for the first month, then limit their use to once or twice a month. All "regular use" beans may be eaten regularly in small amounts.

Seeds, Nuts, and Snacks:

Avoid nuts and seeds in cases of testicular blockages, male hormonal deficiencies, genitourinary tract infections, endometriosis, fibroids, problems with cervical mucus, fallopian adhesions, failure to ovulate, and female hormonal problems. For persons suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, nuts should be avoided, but pumpkin or sesame seeds, lightly toasted without sea salt or tamari soy sauce, may be taken occasionally as a condiment. For cases of low sperm count, a small volume of nuts or seeds may be eaten infrequently.

Seafood:

For persons suffering from low sperm count, a small volume of white-meat fish can be eaten twice a week, preferably in soup, boiled, or steamed. Koi koku (carp soup) and salmon head cooked with soybeans are two dishes especially recommended for this condition.

Condiments:

For all conditions, sea salt, miso, and tamari soy sauce may be used regularly, taking care that the food prepared with them does not have a markedly salty taste. Tamari soy sauce should be used only in cooking, and not applied at the table.

Gomashio should contain a ratio of sixteen parts sesame seeds to one part sea salt, and if possible, should be made with good quality black sesame seeds in cases of low sperm count, male hormonal deficiencies, and endometriosis.

For persons suffering from low sperm count, testicular blockages, and genitourinary tract infections, half an umeboshi plum may be eaten daily for about one month, after which time the frequency should be reduced to two to three times per week. For all female disorders, half an umeboshi plum, along with the shiso leaves in which the plums come packed, may be eaten two to three times per week.

For low sperm count or motility, shio kombu and dried fish condiment are recommended two to three times per week.

For persons suffering from testicular blockages, brown rice vinegar or umeboshi vinegar may be used often as seasoning on vegetables.

Ginger may be used as a seasoning in all cases with the exception of sexually transmitted diseases, in which case it should be strictly avoided.

Beverages:

All beverages included in the standard macrobiotic diet, including bancha twig tea, and grain teas and coffees, may be used regularly. It is best to avoid the use of coffee and commercial and herbal teas. Ume-sho-kuzu may be taken once or twice a week for a few weeks in cases of low sperm count, male hormonal deficiencies, genitourinary tract infections, problems with cervical mucus, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Sweet vegetable broth is especially recommended for testicular blockages, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, problems with cervical mucus, failure to ovulate, female hormonal problems, and sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, the following specific drinks are recommended:

1. For Testicular Blockages: Carrot-daikon drink (once a day for ten days); carrot-daikon drink with nori and umeboshi.
2. For Endometriosis: Carrot-daikon drink (once a day for ten days); carrot-daikon drink with nori and umeboshi; kombu tea (two to three times per week).
3. For Fibroid Tumors: Kombu tea (two to three times per week); cooking liquid from leafy green vegetables boiled together with a small piece of wakame or kombu sea vegetable (one cup daily for two to three weeks); liquid from daikon and kombu cooked together for about fifteen minutes (one-half to one cup every other day for two to three weeks).
4. For Adhesions in the Fallopian Tubes: Carrot-daikon drink (one cup daily for ten days); liquid from leafy green vegetables boiled with wakame or kombu sea vegetable, as above; carrot-daikon drink with nori and umeboshi.
5. For Failure to Ovulate: Carrot or celery juice, two to three times per week; liquid from leafy green vegetables boiled two to three minutes (one cup daily for a week).
6. For Female Hormonal Problems: Carrot-daikon Drink (several times a week for two to three weeks); carrot-daikon drink with nori and umeboshi.
7. For Sexually Transmitted Diseases: One-half cup of carrot juice may be taken two times per week.

Eat more oysters, advises Julian Whitaker, M.D., founder and president of the Whitaker Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California. While there's no evidence that this much-ballyhooed "aphrodisiac" can increase libido, there is proof that the high zinc content of oysters may strengthen sperm count and motility, increasing chances for conception, according to Dr. Whitaker. He says you'll get nearly the entire Recommended Daily Allowance of zinc from just one oyster. He suggests lean red meats and crab as other good sources of zinc.

"It's also good to eat more fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants," says Dr. Whitaker. "A lot of male infertility is due to oxidation, which can weaken or kill sperm."