What Does Protein Have To Do With Your Fertility?

First of all, most of us know that proteins are a macronutrient that comes in the form of meat or other non animal forms like beans or legumes. Proteins are broken down in amino acids which are the building blocks of all life. 

But did you know that hormones are also proteins? Such critical hormones like melatonin needed for sleep and balanced moods. Then there is the Thyroid stimulating hormone for regulating your thyroid as well as Insulin for balancing your blood sugar.  Prostaglandins are proteins  which cause uterine contractions while on your period or when pregnant, and steroid hormones like testosterone, cortisol, estrogen and progesterone are all made of proteins and are critical for anyone on their fertility journey. 

Proteins are also what enzymes are made of. Every living creature has enzymes which are like the lock and key for turning on different mechanisms in the body. We need enzymes to properly break down and absorb our food, we need enzymes to help build up substances and then break others down. They are the catalyst that creates changes in all of our trillions of cells. Without protein we would not have enzymes and then our cells would not be able to function.

What does protein do for us physically? It helps to build muscle. Protein aids in the building and structure of bones, ligaments, teeth, hair as the collagen in protein is needed for all of these functions. Protein creates chemical reactions through enzymes and hormones throughout the entire body. Protein aids in balancing metabolism. Protein helps our digestive enzymes break down our food so that it is properly absorbed in our body. It helps our antibodies support our immune functions, regulates the expression of our DNA and RNA, moves molecules around in the body, supports muscle contraction and movement. Can you see how critical protein is now?

When people hear about needing more protein they will reach for the protein bar, or add some chocolate flavored protein powder to their smoothie. This can backfire in many ways. Remember when we said quality protein, well our bodies really prefer real protein and not synthetically made. Oftentimes the protein bars will be loaded with sugar and vegetarian forms of protein like soy isolate which is not easily absorbed by the body. Amongst the added sugars and fake proteins are often added preservatives, thickening agents and stabilizers, none of which are healthy for your body and fertility. Read the fine print on all protein bars and powders. You want to get real protein in the form of meat sticks or jerky. Look for quality meat from grass fed and pasture raised animals. Companies that are doing a great job are Paleovalley 100% Grass Fed Beef Sticks and Zora’s Meat Sticks – Zoe's Meats (zoesmeats.com). Quality protein powders would be gelatins and collagens that are not flavored with synthetic ingredients such as Primal Kitchen Collagen or Great Lakes Gelatin. These can be added to your warm lattes for an afternoon drink or midmorning soothing tea. You can also sip on quality bone broths in the morning which is not only an added source of protein but also beneficial for your gut lining, try Kettle and Fire bone broth or making your own. 

So if you are on the fertility journey and are trying to create an entirely new human life while also maintaining the health of your own body you can see how critical protein is. The key is getting in enough for your body and also the best quality. Most women do not get enough good quality protein on a daily basis. So therefore your body will not have enough building blocks to help your own body function properly let alone create an entirely one.

Most of the time I see clients who are already very knowledgeable about eating a clean, whole food diet. Oftentimes, these women have tried a multitude of diets, everything from Low Carb to Keto, Intermittent Fasting to the AIP, (autoimmune protocol) and none of them have worked at getting them pregnant. They might even know the basis of a nutrient dense diet, which is having plenty of protein, quality fat and enough fiber and yet they still are not pregnant. But what if they were just not getting in and absorbing the proper amounts of protein? Now of course, being on the fertility journey and struggling to conceive it is not normally just one thing that needs to be tweaked but often many small things that add up to the big picture. Getting enough protein and properly absorbing that nutrients is a small thing that makes up a huge part of the picture for overall health, vitality and fertility. So how much is the proper amount? Aim for the amount of body weight in grams. So for instance if you weigh 125 pounds, aim for 125 grams of protein throughout the day. If you are an active person, this amount might even increase. This sounds like a lot of protein and often it can be hard adjustment, but your body will thank you in the long run as it will actually have the nutrients to optimize your body and create that new life that you have long waited for.