Even in our humble urban house with virtually no yard, I've been so proud of being able to raise some sugar snap peas in a pot, using chopsticks as supports for their little tendrily vines. But Fern Reiss, in The Infertility Diet, her well researched and thoroughly annotated book, says that peas
have been linked to infertility; they seem to contain a national contraceptive (m-xylohydroquinine) which interferes with estrogen and progestrone: In a study of rats fed 20% of their diet in peas, litter sizes were reduced and 30% had no offspring.Sometimes when I eat peas, I get a weird scratchy feeling in my mouth--this happens to my mom, too. Maybe it's just my body telling me to avoid these kinds of things altogether...
6 comments:
Your blog is a great resource to keep on top of health issues. However, where infertility is concerned, I'd like to bring to your attention another "green" way to deal with infertility: Accept it and learn to live happily without children.
I'm lucky; I never wanted to have kids to begin with, so my marginal fertility was never put to severe test. (I was told early on that having children would be difficult to impossible for me) Others have gone from wanting kids desperately to realizing that life can be full and fun without raising children.
Living childfree is always an option worth considering when dealing with infertility. Say no to the tests, the worries, the meds, the diets, the calendars, and find peace with your body and life the way they are.
Well said, Anonymous. Again, cultural spin: child-less, oh no! But like you said, you can be childFREE.
Oh yeah, we have plenty o' kids to go around, it's totally environmental to abstain. I actually used to use this argument with my husband (he was the one who really wanted kids, now look at me). Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Dear Marie Lee,
I read about the anti-fertility substance m-xylohydroquinine. I am 36 years old and infertile with a history of miscarriages. I would like to see more documentation about this study. I understand the research was done on mice. How does this apply to clinical studies? In other words, if I want to have a fertility advantage, thinking reverse of your book, should I avoid peas of all kinds and how much peas would cause the effect.
Please e-mail me an answer.
Thanks,
LLPier
Dear Marie Lee,
I am curious about the research linked between the consumptions of peas and infertility. Although I do not doubt the accuracy of the information, I would like to know the specifics. For example, should I be avoiding all types of peas (i.e. sugar snap, sweet, pigeon peas) or just the green pea? Have there been studies done on humans? Where can I go for more info.?
Hi, you might want to check out THE INFERTILITY DIET.
Interesting article, great tips and very helpful to those who are having hard time in their fertility problem.
For more information about fertility foods, we have articles that can be helpful too.
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