In Part1, I ignored the majority of the book, focusing on a few themes that were critical to me. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the book is uninteresting or unimportant. It’s all worth considering, but I’m not going to delve into these other topics in depth as, frankly, I don’t have a strong opinion about these topics at this time. You probably can’t avoid them completely but limit regular exposure as much as reasonably possible.

Reduce overall carbohydrate intake and increase overall protein intake, but do not do "low carb" ideally 40% carb, 30% fat, 30% proteinBeyond the prenatal vitamins, “if you are going to add just one other supplement, make it Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)” to support egg health, advises Rebecca. Studies have suggested that CoQ10 levels decline with age, after peaking at around age 20. For women over 40, Rebecca’s recommendation is CoQ10 in the ubiquinol form at 200 to 400 mg per day. It’s nearly impossible to entirely avoid phthalates, also known as “the everywhere chemical.” They are present in many beauty, home, and personal care products. The problem is that phthalates decrease the production of estrogen by your follicles, which has a powerful impact on follicle growth and egg development. Researchers have found that phthalates significantly interfere with the growth of ovarian follicles in eggs. The author recommends choosing products that are “phthalate free” when possible. #2 Choose the right supplements

Zinc oxide 15%. Lightweight formula that applies easily and without leaving a white layer or heavy/waxy feeling. Preferred option for daily use under makeup. did you manage to avoid phthalates and BPA? If so, how? (Our biggest take away was not reheating plastic/Tupperware in the microwave) Was jede Frau und jedes Paar wissen sollte und selbst tun kann, wenn es mit dem Babywunsch nicht klapptHowever, women in their 40s do face particular challenges when it comes to reproductive health. Studies show that it becomes progressively harder for women to get pregnant after about age 35, and once pregnant, complications become more common with age. As high-achieving planners, many women who pursue a pregnancy in their 40s do everything they can to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. Although the science behind DHEA and ovarian health still remains controversial, based on a review of scientific literature, Rebecca concludes that DHEA is “one of the most powerful tools we have” to support reproductive health for women after 40. Since DHEA is a hormone and have a potential for side effects in some women, Rebecca’s first recommendation is to have your DHEA-S and testosterone levels tested, then discuss adding DHEA to your preconception routine with your doctor if you are below the lower half of the normal range. (Here’s our explanation on why doctors test DHEA-S, not DHEA, when women take DHEA for reproductive health.)

the odds of pregnancy were four times higher for women with high vitamin D levels compared to those with a vitamin D Rebecca went through fertility challenges at a young age, which ultimately pushed her to help others by sharing the knowledge she accumulated as she pored over hundreds of medical research articles to understand - and overcome - her own challenges. In Part 1 of this book review, I shared what I found most impactful to me in terms of its larger ramifications on prospects for improving fertility, particularly in a woman’s later reproductive years. I was thrilled about how the book was research-based and well-referenced. Much to my delight, it cited research that indicated it is possible to influence egg quality though supplements, diet, and avoiding environmental toxins. And even more significant to me, I was able to draw some conclusions about ways to influence egg quality beyond what was presented in the book. I went through the egg freezing process a while later, and although my ovarian reserve wasn’t where I wanted it to be, I was able to freeze enough eggs to give me a good chance of having my own kids down the road.The common theme amongst all of these “poor” performing sunscreens is that they either used zinc or titanium dioxide along (rather than a combination) OR if they did contain a combination of both, the concentration was too low (often below 5%). Let’s talk about the book, and hear from an Ovaterra community member who shares her "It Starts with the Egg" success story. Over the years of trying just about every fragrance-free mineral sunscreen available (since I live in Miami), these are the ones I use most often on myself and my eczema-prone little boy: She also discussed supplements to take. I particularly appreciated the section on what supplements to avoid, because I have tried just about everything out there. Like, if someone once said in passing from an obscure or even totally made up source, I’ve probably tried it.