The IVF Diet

I have seen a lot of advances in the field of IVF since I first started doing it almost 30 years ago. The art and science have improved immensely, but I have come to realise that IVF is not just a matter of eggs, sperm and embryos. It takes two factors for a successful pregnancy – healthy embryos and a healthy implantation – and adequate preparation of a couple ahead of treatment is vital in order to optimise the outcome.

Our integrated approach to IVF at the Zita West Fertility Clinic involves looking at every aspect of a couple’s lives, including preparation of the mind, body and spirit, stress levels and micronutrition, and diet is a huge element of that. It takes about three months for eggs and sperm to develop properly and ensuring that they develop under optimum conditions improves the quality of the eggs, the sperm and, subsequently, the embryos. Healthy eggs and sperm equate to healthy embryos.

One of the greatest obstacles to successful implantation of the embryos and the reason why IVF fails in some women is an inflammatory environment, which can be caused by autoimmune and other pro-inflammatory conditions of the immune system. If there is inflammation in the body, it could damage embryos and prevent successful implantation. At the Zita West Fertility Clinic we do specialist blood tests to see if this is the case or not. If inflammation is detected, we don’t simply rely on medication to reduce this; the internal environment can also be optimised through appropriate nutrition and improvement in lifestyle. It is also extremely important to reduce the effect of stress, which can impact the immune system, and we use other, holistic treatments – such as acupuncture and hypnotherapy – to help with that.
Throughout my career, I have dreamed of being able to offer all these elements of successful fertility treatment under one roof, and this dream is now realised. I am proud to see it reflected in the wonderful outcomes and results we are getting at the Zita West Fertility Clinic.

Dr George Ndukwe, Medical Director,
The Zita West Fertility Clinic

More and more couples are turning to IVF each year to help them conceive, and yet there are still many questions to be answered. “What makes IVF successful?” and “what else can we do to support our treatment?” are two of the most important queries couples can have, and here, Zita West offers solutions.

Packed with 60 brand new recipes that support fertility, as well as fertility-focussed nutrition and lifestyle advice, the book also looks at the important roles that the right psychological and emotional support and a positive mindset can play in helping couples to conceive. Zita not only advises you on how to prepare for IVF, but also explains why this can be so important, perhaps even making the difference between a successful and unsuccessful outcome.