The effects of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, Cola and drugs on conception.

I was continually astounded by the number of couples who came to me seeking assistance in bringing their bodies to the peak of health in readiness for conception, yet one or both of them were smoking, and often the wife was on synthetic hormones as well. Apart from this chemical cocktail, the would-be parents were more often than not consuming excessive amounts of coffee, alcohol and/or Cola drinks, all of which have been proven to affect cell development and ultimately their chances of a successful conception.

Of course, I am more than happy to pass on all the knowledge I have accumulated from researching the causes of infertility, but the final responsibility for their own health remains with the individual. I was not prepared to stand behind each patient with a big stick!

Ask any parent and they will tell you that parenthood is all about sacrifice; once baby arrives sleep patterns are disrupted and lifestyles are irreversibly changed. So please, if you know of any couples that are having difficulty with conception, quietly explain to them that they will need to get unwanted chemicals out of their system to enable their bodies to produce new cells to grow into healthy eggs and sperm.

To help couples understand the various factors that can delay conception, I have put together the following breakdown of common causes.

Alcohol should be reduced to no more than six units per week; any more than this will reduce sperm quality and count and increase the number of abnormal sperm. Alcohol causes liver problems, affecting the body's ability to produce the amino acids necessary for cell development. I suggest you seek out the better brands that are traditionally or naturally brewed to further reduce the chemical content of the drink. No one is asked to quit drinking - just having alcohol in all drinks (there are plenty of lovely non-alcoholic drinks available). If this is impossible they may need to admit to being more than a social drinker and seek help for addiction.

Caffeine and the other chemicals found in coffee, as apposed to the caffeine in tea, affects the absorption of iron and calcium. The diuretic effect causes a loss of potassium, magnesium, zinc and B vitamins. Some women have shown an increase in fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cancer, and pancreas cancer when drinking coffee. Caffeine has been proven to cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, and there is evidence to prove a link with neural tube defects and caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal gland, so a person who is constantly stressed and consuming coffee could be suffering adrenal exhaustion. Without help this could lead to chronic fatigue. Prostate and kidney problems have a direct relationship to coffee intake. Scientists are now exploring the use of caffeine as a cancer treatment, as they have found caffeine and theophylline found in coffee, Cola drinks and chocolate stop human growth, and the movement and division of cells. Great results for cancer treatmen - but not for conception! Caffeine also affects intrauterine blood flow, affecting endometrial development.

Cola drinks, including the diet ones, are high in phosphoric acid and have been linked to an imbalance in insulin production (polycystic ovary syndrome). They also affect the phospholipid production and alter the calcium phosphorus ratio of the thyroid, leading to bone weakness and poor skeletal development in embryos.

Most fumes are toxic. Painters are found to have a higher than average number of abnormal sperm and low sperm counts. Some solvents have even caused testicular atrophy. Remember, when spraying bugs, painting or using any potent substances, wear a mask. Adults can cope with chemicals, but small children, babies, developing embryos and sperm can't!

Medical drugs can affect reproduction. Tranquillisers, cholesterol and blood pressure tablets in particular affect sperm counts and hormone levels. Antihistamines inhibit ejaculation and female orgasm. Asthma drugs are often made from steroids. If in doubt ask your chemist for a printout of ALL the side effects. Anabolic drug users have low sperm counts and low levels of FSH and LH. These drugs can also cause testicular and breast tissue atrophy.

Mineral Imbalances

Copper, for instance, is used in all hot water pipes and in swimming pools to control algae; it is also a component of some contraceptives. Copper is needed by the brain to regulate male and female fertility, too much causes tumour growth and miscarriage. Calcium and copper regulate the thyroid and adrenal glands. Zinc helps regulate testosterone levels; low levels affect sperm count and motility.

Smoking leads to a lack of Vitamin B12, underweight and sickly babies, miscarriage, and birth defects. I recently saw on ABC television (7th May 2002) that girls under the age of twelve who are exposed to parents who smoke are more likely to develop breast cancer and heart disease. Only two cigarettes a day opens them to the risk. Another study from Denmark (ABC TV 17th August 2002) confirmed women are more at risk than men, as smoking adversely affects oestrogen production. In males tobacco decreases testosterone levels, affecting sperm quality, count, motility and morphology. It also lowers the egg-binding capacity, increasing the risk of miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, cot death and childhood cancer originating from the male factor. Male smokers with a varicocele exacerbates the problem, as cadmium from cigarettes will thicken the seminal plasma, adding to the blockage. Smoking also increases the production of free radicals, increasing the risk of cancer. Free radicals are carried via the blood, so it stands to reason there will be high levels in the endometrium, as this is pure blood. Women on the pill who smoke increase the risk of serious cardiovascular disease and thrombosis. Is it any wonder cigarette smokers take thirty per cent longer to conceive? Marijuana decreases sperm quality and count and inhibits the sperm's ability to penetrate the egg. Long-term users have high numbers of abnormal sperm.

Eating too much sugar causes a calcium imbalance, affecting the thyroid and pancreas and leading to poly- cystic ovary syndrome (insulin resistance or excess production of insulin).

Vitamin Overdose

Vitamin C, if it is not utilised, is passed out of the body as oxalic acid, which will kill sperm. Vitamin C taken in excess has been proven to cause birth defects. Folic acid is essential for the manufacture of DNA and for providing normal function in cell development; a lack leads to anaemia and spina bifida. Gluten intolerant people can't absorb folic acid. The symptoms of a folic acid deficiency are similar to a lack of Vitamin B12 - anaemia, poor cell growth in males and females, and a breakdown in DNA synthesis leading to infertility.

All the above and much more are discussed in greater detail in Ruth's books.

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