Arch Androl. 1997 Sep-Oct;39(2):155-61.
Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Zabludovsky N, Bartoov B.
Institute of Chinese Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective controlled study was to assess the effect of acupuncture on the sperm quality of males suffering from subfertility related to sperm impairment.
METHODS: Semen samples of 16 acupuncture-treated subfertile patients were analyzed before and 1 month after treatment (twice a week for 5 weeks). In parallel, semen samples of 16 control untreated subfertile males were examined. Two specimens were taken from the control group at an interval of 2-8 months. The expanded semen analysis included routine and ultramorphological observations.
RESULTS: The fertility index increased significantly (p < or = .05) following improvement in total functional sperm fraction, percentage of viability, total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate, and integrity of the axonema (p < or = .05), which occurred upon treatment. The intactness of axonema and sperm motility were highly correlated (corr. = .50, p < or = .05).
CONLCUSIONS: Thus, patients exhibiting a low fertility potential due to reduced sperm activity may benefit from acupuncture treatment.
PMID: 9272232 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Andrologia. 2000 Jan;32(1):31-9.
Siterman S, Eltes F, Wolfson V, Lederman H, Bartoov B.
Institute of Chinese Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.
OBJECTIVE: Classic therapies are usually ineffective in the treatment of patients with very poor sperm density. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acupuncture on these males.
METHODS: Semen samples of 20 patients with a history of azoospermia were examined by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), with which a microsearch for spermatozoa was carried out. These examinations were performed before and 1 month after acupuncture treatment and revealed that the study group originally contained three severely oligoteratoasthenozoospermic (OTA), two pseudoazoospermic and 15 azoospermic patients. The control group was comprised of 20 untreated males who underwent two semen examinations within a period of 2-4 months and had initial andrological profiles similar to those of the experimental group. No changes in any of the parameters examined were observed in the control group.
RESULTS: There was a marked but not significant improvement in the sperm counts of severely OTA males following acupuncture treatment (average = 0.7 +/- 1.1 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate before treatment vs. 4.3 +/- 3.2 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate after treatment). A definite increase in sperm count was detected in the ejaculates of 10 (67%) of the 15 azoospermic patients. Seven of these males exhibited post-treatment spermatozoa that were detected even by LM. The sperm production of these seven males increased significantly, from 0 to an average of 1.5 +/- 2.4 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate (Z = -2.8, P < or = 0.01). Males with genital tract inflammation exhibited the most remarkable improvement in sperm density (on average from 0.3 +/- 0.6 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate to 3.3 +/- 3.2 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate; Z = -2.4, P < or = 0.02). Two pregnancies were achieved by the IVF-ICSI procedure.
CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.
PMID: 10702864 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
]]>Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4.
Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K.
Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, Germany. paulus@reprotox.de
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy (ART) by comparing a group of patients receiving acupuncture treatment shortly before and after embryo transfer with a control group receiving no acupuncture.
DESIGN: Prospective randomized study.
SETTING: Fertility center.
PATIENT(S): After giving informed consent, 160 patients who were undergoing ART and who had good quality embryos were divided into the following two groups through random selection: embryo transfer with acupuncture (n = 80) and embryo transfer without acupuncture (n = 80).
INTERVENTION(S): Acupuncture was performed in 80 patients 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer. In the control group, embryos were transferred without any supportive therapy.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy was defined as the presence of a fetal sac during an ultrasound examination 6 weeks after embryo transfer.
RESULT(S): Clinical pregnancies were documented in 34 of 80 patients (42.5%) in the acupuncture group, whereas pregnancy rate was only 26.3% (21 out of 80 patients) in the control group.
CONCLUSION(S): Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART.
PMID: 11937123 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 Aug;16(3):154-7. Epub 2009 Dec 24.
Balk J, Catov J, Horn B, Gecsi K, Wakim A.
University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Hospital, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. jbalk@magee.edu
The aim of this paper was to determine the effect of acupuncture on perceived stress levels in women on the day of embryo transfer (ET), and to determine if perceived stress levels at embryo transfer correlated with pregnancy rates. The study was an observational, prospective, cohort study based at the University IVF center.
PATIENT(S): 57 infertile patients undergoing IVF or IVF/ICSI. INTERVENTIONS(S): Patients were undergoing Embryo Transfer with or without acupuncture as part of their standard clinical care.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Perceive Stress Scale scores, pregnancy rates.
RESULT(S): women who received this acupuncture regimen achieved pregnancy 64.7%, whereas those without acupuncture achieved pregnancy 42.5%. When stratified by donor recipient status, only non-donor recipients potentially had an improvement with acupuncture (35.5% without acupuncture vs. 55.6% with acupuncture). Those who received this acupuncture regimen had lower stress scores both pre-ET and post-ET compared to those who did not. Those with decreased their perceived stress scores compared to baseline had higher pregnancy rates than those who did not demonstrate this decrease, regardless of acupuncture status.
CONCLUSIONS(S): The acupuncture regimen was associated with less stress both before and after embryo transfer, and it possibly improved pregnancy rates. Lower perceived stress at the time of embryo transfer may play a role in an improved pregnancy rate.
Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1870-9. Epub 2008 Dec 31.
Magarelli PC, Cridennda DK, Cohen M.
Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Centers, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910, USA. info@475-baby.com
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in serum cortisol (CORT) and PRL are affected by acupuncture (Ac) in Ac-treated IVF patients.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort clinical study.
SETTING: Private practice reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic and private practice acupuncture consortium.
PATIENT(S): Sixty-seven reproductive-age infertile women undergoing IVF.
INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples were obtained from all consenting new infertility patients and serum CORT and serum PRL were obtained prospectively. Patients were grouped as controls (IVF with no Ac) and treated (IVF with Ac) according to acupuncture protocols derived from randomized controlled trials.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum levels of CORT and PRL were measured and synchronized with medication stimulation days of the IVF cycle (e.g., day 2 of stimulation, day 3, etc.). Reproductive outcomes were collected according to Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology protocols, and results were compared between controls and those patients treated with Ac.
RESULT(S): CORT levels in Ac group were significantly higher on IVF medication days 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 compared with controls. PRL levels in the Ac group were significantly higher on IVF medication days 5, 6, 7, and 8 compared with controls.
CONCLUSION(S): In this study, there appears to be a beneficial regulation of CORT and PRL in the Ac group during the medication phase of the IVF treatment with a trend toward more normal fertile cycle dynamics.
Zhang Mingmin , Huang Guangying, LuFu’er, et al.
(Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Hubei Wuhan 430030, China)
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction therapy such as in-vitro-fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmatic spermatozoen injection (ICSI), and mechanisms.
METHODS: 210 cases undergoing IVF or ICSI were divided randomly into three groups: acupuncture treatment group, placebo group and control group. The acupuncture treatment group and the placebo group were treated respectively with body acupuncture and placebo acupuncture before and after embryo transfer, and in the control group embryos were transferred without any supportive therapy. Contraction frequency of the uterine junctional zone and the pregnancy rate were observed.
RESULTS: The contraction frequency before embryo transfer was not significantly different among the three groups, but after embryo transfer in the acupuncture treatment group was lower than that in the placebo group and the control group, respectively. The pregnancy rate was 44.3% (31/70) in the acupuncture treatment group, and 27.1% (19/70) in the placebo group and 24.3% (17/70) in the control group. The pregnancy rate in the acupuncture treatment group was significantly higher than that in the placebo acupuncture group and the control group (P0.05).
CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is a powerful tool for improving pregnancy rate
after assisted reproduction therapy.
BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):545-9. Epub 2008 Feb 7.
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, Haramati A, Langenberg P, Berman BM, Bouter LM.
Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 2200 Kernan Drive, Kernan Hospital Mansion, Baltimore, MD 21207, USA. emanheimer@compmed.umm.edu
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether acupuncture improves rates of pregnancy and live birth when used as an adjuvant treatment to embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES: Medline, Cochrane Central, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Database, hand searched abstracts, and reference lists. Review methods Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials that compared needle acupuncture administered within one day of embryo transfer with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment, with reported outcomes of at least one of clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, or live birth. Two reviewers independently agreed on eligibility; assessed methodological quality; and extracted outcome data. For all trials, investigators contributed additional data not included in the original publication (such as live births). Meta-analyses included all randomised patients.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Seven trials with 1366 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation were included in the meta-analyses. There was little clinical heterogeneity. Trials with sham acupuncture and no adjuvant treatment as controls were pooled for the primary analysis. Complementing the embryo transfer process with acupuncture was associated with significant and clinically relevant improvements in clinical pregnancy (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.14; number needed to treat (NNT) 10 (7 to 17); seven trials), ongoing pregnancy (1.87, 1.40 to 2.49; NNT 9 (6 to 15); five trials), and live birth (1.91, 1.39 to 2.64; NNT 9 (6 to 17); four trials). Because we were unable to obtain outcome data on live births for three of the included trials, the pooled odds ratio for clinical pregnancy more accurately represents the true combined effect from these trials rather than the odds ratio for live birth. The results were robust to sensitivity analyses on study validity variables. A prespecified subgroup analysis restricted to the three trials with the higher rates of clinical pregnancy in the control group, however, suggested a smaller non-significant benefit of acupuncture (odds ratio 1.24, 0.86 to 1.77).
CONCLUSIONS: Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.
PMID: 18258932 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1347-51. Epub 2006 Apr 17.
Dieterle S, Ying G, Hatzmann W, Neuer A.
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany. Dieterle@IVF-Dortmund.de
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of luteal-phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study.
SETTING: University IVF center.
PATIENT(S): Two hundred twenty-five infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.
INTERVENTION(S): In group I, 116 patients received luteal-phase acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. In group II, 109 patients received placebo acupuncture.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.
RESULT(S): In group I, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than in group II (15.6% and 13.8%).
CONCLUSION(S): Luteal-phase acupuncture has a positive effect on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.
PMID: 16616748 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Keep warm and eat with the seasons with this delicious, naturopath-approved root veggie soup.
Makes 6 servings:
Ingredients
2 cups diced parsnips, peeled
2 cups diced rutabagas, peeled
2 cups diced turnips
3 cups diced carrots
3 cups diced sweet potatoes
4 tsp olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1/2 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp red pepper flakes for extra heat, if desired
2 bay leaves
8-10 cups vegetable stock
1 can of lentils
Instructions
Whether it’s an office party, school event, or the candy your kids picked up trick-or-treating, Halloween treats are everywhere this month, and are difficult to resist for kids and adults alike. If you’re looking for a healthier Halloween alternative to leave both you and your kids feeling more satisfied, or just for a festive fall treat, try these no bake pumpkin energy balls.
Featuring pumpkin puree, this treat is both festive and a source of vitamins and minerals. With the protein and fibre content from oats, flax, and chia seeds, you’ll actually feel full after indulging in this halloween snack. Best of all, no bake required!
Ingredients
Instructions:
Ingredients
1/2 cup raw honey
2/3 cup raw cashew butter
2 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
4 cups organic puffed brown rice cereal
Directions:
Combine raw honey, cashew butter, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Stir well. Add the brown rice cereal and mix with a spatula until combined.
Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper and pour mixture into the dish. Press down with the spatula to smooth everything out, then place the dish in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until the bars have hardened, then remove and cut into bars. Best kept in the fridge.
Makes 9-12 rice crispy treats. Enjoy!
]]>With kids headed back to school, consider some of our favourite lunch essentials. What makes our list? Eco-friendly, plastic-free and non-toxic items to store food and liquids. Why? Harmful plastics can leach into foods over time and create unnecessary ecological waste.
Here are our favourite back to school essentials:
Pura bottle – Their bottles are durable and look great. It withstands a beating and does not leak. The best part is that it is completely plastic free. It is made from food-grade stainless steel and medical-grade silicone. Unique feature? Bottle tops can be interchanged for different stages of growth from sippy cups to straw bottles and then sports bottles.
Eco line home design bento boxes – This bento box is perfect for creating a healthy lunch. It is made of wheatgrass and resin and will degrade 90% after disposal. It contains 5 separate components. The best part is it comes with its own fork and spoon which attach to the lid. A bonus so utensils wont be lost! The box is also dishwasher safe.
LunchBots – The original stainless steel bento box. Made from stainless steel making it dishwasher safe and durable. Unique feature? There are different sized boxes from 1 compartment for just a sandwich to 2 compartments for a sandwich and snack and so on up to 5 compartments. Lunches and snacks on the go make this brand consumer friendly.
Stasher reusable bags – These high quality reusable bags are wonderful for packing snacks or putting a sandwich in. They’re made of silicone and have a special leak-free seal (but don’t worry, your kids can still open them!). Best part? They are multipurpose – not only can you send a snack to school in them, you can also use them to store food items.
Cink Bamboo Spoon and Fork set – An easy to use spoon and fork set is perfect for when kids are eating out of the house. The natural bamboo material makes it durable, sustainable and also odour resistant. Toss it in the dishwasher to clean and off you go. Easy to pack into your kids lunch bags and send with them to school.
Deep Immune Kids – A balanced immune system is the strongest immune system. Deep Immune for Kids is a product that we use not only for kids but also for adults. It supports our health by rebalancing the body’s innate immune system. It’s a top choice when looking to prevent against any potential invading forces. While it’s not the tastiest, it’s powerful herbs will help if you or your family is prone to catching illnesses.
Probiotics for Immunity – Did you know that roughly 70-80% of your immune system is found within your gut. This means that the gut is the body’s primary defense. Supporting our gut with healthy microorganisms like probiotics help to reduce the frequency of respiratory tract infections and ultimately decrease the number of days home sick from school. What to take? Well, products like HMF Immune or HMF Fit for School are great probiotics for adults and kids as they combine probiotics with immune supporting nutrients. For more info, read here.
Vitamin D – We can’t say this enough; make sure you and your family are getting their daily dose of vitamin D. If you’ve had your levels checked and they are normal, then whatever you take for maintenance is likely fine to continue. However, if you do not know your levels, then you will want to test with your ND to determine your individual dose of vitamin D. Even with supplementation, we continuously see our patients deficient in this important vitamin.
Aspire Health Immune Tincture – This is our “go-to” herbal formula when the body is fighting an infection. If you’ve ever used our in-house immune tincture, then you can agree that it’s a go-to when anyone in the house is sick. Best part? We use this formula for both adults and kids (we adjust the dose accordingly). We are officially stocked up so please get in touch with your ND if you’re looking to refill your cabinets.
]]>I love to use a bento box for lunches because it allows your child to open only one container and easily go back and forth between all their food choices.
A FEW TIPS WHEN PACKING LUNCH ..
BENTO BOX IDEAS
Here are 7 bento box lunch ideas (all gluten-free friendly and most vegan friendly!) that you can mix and match. These lunches contain 4 compartments, but if you have a bento box with more dividers – by all means add more. Always portion out your servings according to your child’s growing appetite at that time.
BENTO BOX 1 (GF, V)
Chickpea pasta with marinara sauce and hemp hearts
Apple Slices
Peppers
Veggie Puffs
BENTO BOX 2 (GF, V)
Hummus
Sweet Potato / Lentil Crackers / Rice Cake
Cucumber
Strawberries
BENTO BOX 3 (GF, V)
Chicken in a tortilla wrap or lentils in a tortilla wrap – keep it simple think grilled chicken or cooked lentils, with a spread and tortilla. You don’t need to worry about doing more than that!
Strawberries
Yogurt with chia seeds
Carrot Sticks
BENTO BOX 4 (GF)
Hard Boiled Egg
Berries
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Granola or Fig Bar
BENTO BOX 5 (GF)
Protein Pancakes
Grapes
Cheese
Celery
BENTO BOX 6 (GF)
Quesadilla (for GF use a brown rice or corn wrap)
Guacamole
Bell Peppers
Bunny Crackers (such as Annie’s)
BENTO BOX 7 (GF, V)
Falafel
Hummus or Tahini Dip
Dried Fruit (no added sugar)
Cucumber
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Summer is here! Along with the warmer temperatures and longer days comes fresh Ontario produce. In addition to being better tasting, local produce from your farmer’s market is far more nutritious. Eating with the seasons is also environmentally friendly, with reduced transit times producing a smaller ecological footprint, and faster farm-to-table time. This minimizes the loss of vitamins and minerals that comes with removal from the soil and sunlight exposure.
Here are five highly nutritious in-season produce items, beginning the month of July:
Blueberries: July and August
Blueberries have a reputation for being one of the most brain-healthy foods, and rightfully so. Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanin, responsible for the deep blue pigment, which reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, which are implicated in virtually every chronic disease, ranging from cardiovascular disease, to cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Blueberries also have a low glycemic index and load, meaning they don’t spike blood sugars, making them a great fruit option for those monitoring blood glucose.
Garlic: July to October
Garlic’s health benefits largely come from allicin, a compound which promotes cardiovascular health by lowering lipids and preventing clotting, and supports immunity through anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity. To enjoy the health benefits of allicin, garlic should be crushed or minced and added to food when it’s nearly done being prepared.
Tomatoes: July to October
Look for vine-ripened tomatoes. Why? Vine-ripened tomatoes grown locally have twice as much vitamin C in comparison to hot-house tomatoes! Vitamin C supports the immune system, functioning as an anti-histamine and reducing cellular damage by acting as an anti-oxidant. When cooked, tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, a carotenoid with anti-oxidant activity that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Cabbage: July to October
As a member of the brassica family, cabbage contain numerous anti-cancer phytochemicals, some of which are responsible for its’ characteristic odour. Cabbage is also a great low calorie source of fibre, which is important for maintaining digestive health and regularity, and regulating appetite. Cabbage is also a great source of vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting.
Okra: July to October
Okra is another great source of fibre, and interestingly, is one of few foods containing the essential anti-oxidant, glutathione, which is essential for immune function and liver detoxification. Okra’s texture is due to its high mucilage content, which helps to reduce and soothe irritated membranes in the digestive tract.
These are only a small selection of some of the produce that becomes available in Ontario beginning in July! Although nutrient dense, not all foods are suitable for everyone – talk to your naturopathic doctor to determine what foods are best for you, and whenever possible, support the local economy, the environment and your health by choosing local in-season produce this summer!
]]>Summer is finally here and that means it’s time to start talking about sunscreen! When it comes to your little babe, you want to make sure to protect their skin (which is extremely sensitive to the sun!). Since we know that their deliciously soft skin is ultra sensitive, you want to be cautious about what you put onto their skin as well. This means avoiding harsh and unnecessary chemicals/toxic ingredients where possible. Here are some tips on applying sunscreen on your little one.
Tip 1: You can start applying sunscreen on your little one once they reach 6 months of age. Once your babe reaches 6 months old, consider applying sunscreen so they get used to this new sensation sooner than later! If they have sensitive skin, consider starting out by testing a patch on their arm or leg to make sure they don’t react before applying to the rest of their bodies.
Tip 2: Aim to apply sunscreen before going outside. This way you’ll be ready for fun in the sun prior to exposure (and won’t risk accidentally getting sunscreen in their eyes!).
Tip 3: Choose a mineral-based sunscreen rather than a chemical one. The trick will be to find one that doesn’t turn your little one ghostly white (unless you’re into this look!). The ones that I have tried on my little babe and like are Think Sport Baby Lotion, Think Sport Baby Stick and Baby Bum Stick. They rub in nicely and haven’t irritated his skin. Another mineral-based brand (that is on my list but I haven’t had a chance to try yet!) is Green Beaver.
Tip 4: Use a mineral-based sunscreen with an SPF of 30-50. Remember: higher than 50 SPF doesn’t necessarily translate into extra coverage.
Tip 5: Consider purchasing a face stick along with a cream. The sticks are great to put on their faces and much easier to apply than the cream (let’s be real: it almost always gets in their eyes! And then you’re on soothing-duty until you can get it out. Best to have a cloth handy in case this happens!).
Ultimately, avoid direct sun as much as possible. Cover baby up when you can (without overheating them). Consider a sun outfit, bathing suits that cover their legs and arms, and a brimmed hat. And be sure to enjoy the summer days while they’re here!
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