Can Detoxing Help with Fertility?

The Truth About Cleanses

One of the hot button topics I get asked about ALL. THE. TIME. by my fertility nutrition clients is if detoxes are worth it, safe, and could help increase their chances to conceive?

Here is the super boring but true answer: Our bodies are naturally equipped with sophisticated systems to neutralize and eliminate toxins. Key organs involved in these detoxification pathways include the skin, kidneys, liver, and large intestine.

Understanding how these systems work can empower you to support them effectively through diet and lifestyle choices, not some crazy juice cleanse or one that costs you $1000 in random pills!

Skin: The First Line of Defense

The skin serves as a barrier against environmental toxins and plays a role in excreting some waste products through sweat. While sweating does contribute to the elimination of certain substances, like alcohol, its role in detoxification is very minor compared to other organs.

That being said, maintaining skin health through proper hygiene, hydration, and nutrition supports your skin’s protective functions to keep bad stuff out. ​

Kidneys and Urine: Filtering the Blood

The kidneys are vital in filtering blood to remove waste products and excess substances, which are then excreted in your urine. This process is crucial for maintaining the body's internal balance and preventing the accumulation of harmful compounds.

Adequate hydration is essential to support kidney function, as it facilitates the efficient removal of water soluble waste.​

Liver: The Central Detoxification Hub

The liver is the primary organ responsible for detoxification as it processes both substances that your body makes as well as what comes in through your breath, food, and water.

Supporting liver function through diet (again, no crazy cleanses here) can enhance these detoxification pathways. Consuming foods rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as cruciferous vegetables, colorful fruits and berries, leafy greens and garlic, can all support your liver in doing its job!

Large Intestine and Feces: Eliminating Waste

The large intestine plays a crucial role in eliminating waste products and harmful substances via feces AKA your poop.

A diet high enough in dietary fiber has a two-fold benefit. Eating enough fiber (25 g/day for women and 38 g/day for men) supports regular bowel movements, reducing the time substances remain in the digestive tract and can help minimize their reabsorption. Secondly, fiber containing foods provide prebiotics, which help keep the “good” bacteria in your gut happy and healthy.

Nutritional Strategies to Support Detoxification

Incorporating specific nutrients and foods into your diet can bolster the body's natural detoxification systems, no cleanses or $100 supplements required:

• Sulfur-Containing Foods: Garlic, onions, and vegetables in the cruciferous family (think broccoli, kale, and cabbage) contain sulfur compounds that support liver detoxification enzymes.​

• Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, dark chocolate and even some spices, like turmeric and ginger all provide antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress during detoxification.​

• Hydration: Adequate water intake is essential for kidney function and the elimination of waste products through urine.​

• Probiotics: Fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi introduce beneficial bacteria to the gut, supporting intestinal health and toxin elimination.​

• Adequate Fiber: As I mentioned earlier, getting in the right amount of fiber can help support bowel health and regularity. Notice how I don’t recommend going overboard? Eating a diet that's TOO high in fiber can cause tummy troubles, constipation, and can actually lead to undereating if you fill up on low calorie/high fiber foods.

By understanding and supporting these natural detoxification pathways, we can enhance our body's ability to manage and eliminate toxins, contributing to overall health and well-being.

Fertility-Supportive Detox Recipe

Here is a recipe for a powerhouse detox meal that is fertility friendly, delicious, AND won’t break the bank thanks to the humble lentil, a VERY underappreciated source of protein and fiber.

Cauliflower & Curry Daal

• 1 head cauliflower, torn into small pieces

• 2 TB coconut or avocado oil

• 1-2 TB Thai curry paste (Yellow is the mildest, red moderately spicy, green is spiciest. Curry paste can be found in the international section of most grocery stores, at specialty stores, or online.)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 cloves minced garlic (about 2 TB)

• 1 can full fat coconut milk (not a coconut milk beverage)

• 1 can of diced tomatoes (pick fire roasted for an extra layer of flavor)

• 1 cup red lentils

• 1 cup of vegetable or chicken broth

• ½ bunch of cilantro. Roughly tear the leaves and chop the stems (keep them separate).

Directions:

Saute onions and garlic in coconut oil for 2-3 minutes, then add the curry paste. Stir until well combined and warmed through. Stir in the cilantro stems.

Add lentils, canned tomatoes, coconut milk, and broth. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in the cauliflower, cover, and let simmer for another 5-10 minutes, until the cauliflower are just tender and the lentils are soft.

Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice or with Naan.