Nutrition and fertility are closely linked. Diets high in saturated fats and red meats can negatively impact fertility. Consuming foods rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates may increase insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, adversely affecting ovarian function in women and semen quality in men.

Tet holiday foods are diverse, with some containing ingredients detrimental to fertility, such as: bacon, cold cuts, sausage, cured meat, and other sugary snacks like jams, candies, and soft drinks. Consuming these foods throughout the Tet period can affect a couple's sexual activity and ability to conceive.

Alcohol also negatively impacts conception, reducing gonadotropin release, leading to testicular atrophy, and decreasing testosterone and sperm production. Irregular eating habits during Tet can also cause nutritional imbalance and fatigue, affecting male sex hormones and disrupting menstrual cycles in women, making timely conception difficult. Late bedtimes, frequent travel, and increased activities during Tet also contribute to fatigue, reducing libido in both men and women.

Couples should prioritize balanced eating and sleeping, and avoid alcohol, tobacco, and soft drinks. Limit the aforementioned foods, opting instead for green vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fresh foods. Aim to sleep before 11 PM to prevent fatigue, illness, and stress.

Men can supplement with natural essences such as: eurycoma longifolia, French maritime pine extract, and ocean oysters, which help activate endogenous testosterone production and enhance reproductive health. Women can supplement with natural essences extracted from the South American herb Lepidium Meyenii, which may protect and maintain the activity of the brain-pituitary-ovarian axis. This, in turn, promotes increased production of estrogen and progesterone as needed, improving overall health, female physiology, and conception rates.

Doctor Doan Vinh Binh

Medical Information Center

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM