By Dr. Alana Shaw, ND – Naturopathic Doctor in Port Moody
The birth rate for women in the 40-44 range doubled between 1988 and 2008. There are many reasons for the trend in delayed child bearing: more women are pursuing higher education and career advancement; many don’t find love until later in life; and, some don’t decide to add to their family until later in life.
Age & Egg Quality
Regardless of the reason, women find it particularly distressing to hear there is no cure for old eggs when their advancing age is listed as a cause of their infertility. It is well documented that increasing age results in a decline in response to ovarian stimulation, reduced embryo quality and pregnancy rates, and an increased incidence of miscarriages and chromosomal disorders.
Traditionally, the leading explanation regarding age-related decline in egg quality has been that the highest quality eggs are selected first during early reproductive years, leaving the poorer quality eggs for more advanced age. However, recent research suggests an alternative theory that provides hope that our fertility potential is not determined solely by our chronological age. It suggests that the process of aging itself may exert an unfavourable influence on the eggs that remain dormant in the ovary before being selected for ovulation.
Mitochrondria: The Key to Anti-Aging
Aging and age-related diseases are frequently associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. This is thought to be the same process that ages the ovaries.
Mitochondria can be thought of the battery pack found in all of the cells of the body and are concentrated in oocytes. As women and their ovaries age and oocyte mitochondrial energy production decreases, many of the normal processes of the oocyte become impaired.
Improving Egg Quality with Naturopathic Treatments
So what does this mean?
It means that dietary interventions and supplementation that support mitochondrial function may have a positive impact on pregnancy outcome for older women that have been diagnosed with either low ovarian reserve, high FSH or been told they are poor responders. Several promising studies published in recent years suggest an important role for these new supplemental therapies when used in conjunction with conventional assisted reproductive technologies.
There is no doubt that chronological age matters; however, it is becoming increasingly evident that our biological age (determined by diet and lifestyle factors) matters too.
Contact us at 604-949-0077 for more information and stay tuned for future blogs on how you can maximize your fertility potential through simple diet and lifestyle modifications!
