It may be hard to believe that eating carbohydrates can impact on your fertility levels! When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into sugars. These sugars are absorbed into your blood stream causing the pancreas to release more insulin in response.

How Does Insulin Affect Fertility?
One of the side effects of high insulin is that it increases the production of male hormones by the ovaries and therefore increases the hormone levels in the blood. This hormonal imbalance can affect the balance that is necessary for reproduction and ovulation and results in ovulatory infertility.

Carbohydrates may be out of the dietary doghouse, but that doesn’t mean you should eat them with abandon. Lots of refined carbohydrates, like white bread, pasta, and white rice, won’t directly lower your likelihood of getting pregnant but they will shortchange your body.

The refining process strips key nutrients from grains. Among those lost are several that boost fertility, such as antioxidants, B vitamins, and iron. A woman trying to conceive should pack her diet with as many nutrient-rich foods as possible and whole grains are a great place to start.

What Is The Connection To Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS is a condition that affects 5-10% of women of child bearing age, and can cause infertility. Research has found that many sufferers of PCOS have insulin resistance. . The main culprits behind big insulin spikes are refined carbohydrates. When women with PCOS eat too many refined carbohydrates, insulin flows into the blood, feeds back to the ovaries, and can lead to irregular ovulation. A low carb diet can help to regulate insulin levels and in doing so, lead to improved fertility.