The prevalence of infertility in India is 15% which means that one out of every six couples has to deal with it. There has been a 50% increase in various fertility issues in the last decade.
What Might Be The Reason For It?
We are moving away from nature.
As simple as that.
What Is The Solution Then?
My patients ask.
My opinion – go back to the advice of your elders. Follow their instructions.
In this article, I am going to justify a few scientific bases of our ancient Indian practice that may prevent fertility-related problems.
Age And Chances Of Conception
In our culture, the early 20s are considered a reasonable marriage age. The reason is that a woman’s fertility index is at the peak at 23 and decreases with the years. Once she is past 30 years, the quality & quantity of eggs diminishes, in turn increasing the risks of infertility or producing a chromosomally abnormal baby.
Ozone And Reproductive Health
“During the Dhanurmasam, walking around the peepal tree can help with conception”, you may have heard this popular saying. We have studied in school that Oxygen (O2) is produced during Photosynthesis. Some of these Oxygen molecules high in the atmosphere absorb the UV rays from the sun and turn into Ozone (O3).
The relation between Ozone production and walking around trees in the solar month of Dhanus which coincides with the winter season may have some link if you consider the evidence found in studies on the role of ozone therapy in the field of female infertility, especially in the recanalization of the Fallopian Tube and preventing reproductive tract inflammation.
Food And Fertility
Experts recommend food plans that draw parallels between our traditional Banana leaf meal, an age-old custom in India, and the WHO platter meal to improve fertility health.
Let’s look at a balanced meal served on a banana leaf. Raw vegetables can be offered as salads. Cooked vegetables can follow, making way for protein. The meal can be concluded by sweet as carb similar order of serving in WHO meal (Raw veggies—> boiled Veggies—> protein —> carbs).
Another concept is the 2 meals concept followed by our farmer community. We call this intermittent fasting. Besides the meal habit, the physical activity they go through every day keeps them healthy.
It’s time we get back to nature. We follow the advice of our elders who maintained the ideal lifestyle. These practices may help us improve our gamete quality and help in natural conception.
Authored by Dr Sowparnika S, Visiting Consultant, OB-GYN & Reproductive Medicine, RxDx CHANDY, Siddapura
Edited by Ms Anindita CSG, Assistant Manager, Communications, RxDx Healthcare
