Welcome to Our Store
If you are visiting the web sites of Boston IVF or the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health, it is likely you are trying to improve your health in some way. You may want to improve your chances of conceiving a healthy baby, you might be looking to decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, you might be seeking out integrative services and products to decrease the side effects of medical treatment, or you could simply be looking to feel and be healthier.
For the past 25 years, Boston IVF has been one of the most successful infertility centers in the United States; ten years ago it added mind/body services for women- the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health. The Domar Center now offers acupuncture, yoga, nutritional counseling, mind/body groups, and individual and couples counseling.
In our online store we have gathered a selection of items that we feel are the best available products for women who are seeking out supplements and products to enhance their health and lives. For women who are trying to conceive, whether trying "naturally" or using medical means like in vitro fertilization (IVF), you will find what you need in our array of yoga for fertility DVDs, fertility books and many nutritional products - all chosen to support the fertility journey.
You may also want to visit our website at www.domarcenter.com to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists in acupuncture, counseling, nutrition, or yoga. Some of these sessions can be carried out over the phone and many of our services are covered by insurance.
Learning Center
Nutrition Is Key for Fertility – A Tale of Two Diets
By Beth Heller, M.S.
So, you think you eat healthy? Read on and you might be surprised. The low-fat dietary pattern that is generally touted as healthy is actually low in nutrients that have been shown to be important for fertility. To illustrate this point, we charged Pulling Down the Moon nutritionist Margaret Wertheim, R.D. to run a nutritional comparison of two diets 1) a typical low-fat diet taken directly from the practice manual of the American Dietetic Association and 2) a fertility-friendly meal plan based on Pulling Down the Moon’s nutrition program. The results were striking.
Here’s the low-fat diet based on recommendations from the American Dietetic Association:
Typical Low Fat Diet - Click to Enlarge
And here's the fertility-friendly eating plan per Margaret's recommendations:
Fertility friendly Diet - Click to EnlargeAt first glance, both diets look pretty healthy. The calorie content is the same – just around 1830 calories. Yet, a nutrient comparison reveals a different story. Head-to-head the Pulling Down the Moon plan blows the typical low fat diet pattern away in key fertility nutrients. The low fat diet proved deficient in iron, vitamin E, vitamin D and very low in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA – all nutrients that are linked to optimal fertility and healthy ovulation. The difference? The fertility-friendly diet derives about 10% more of its calories from healthy fats at the expense of carbohydrates. Foods in the fertility-friendly diet are also less processed – note the absence of ”diet” dressings, as well as”low fat” and “sugar free” foods.
Dietary Comparison LF vs. FF - Click to enlarge
This exercise illustrates a central concept of Pulling Down the Moon fertility-friendly eating that we call “nourishing up.” In short, nourishing up means that even at your perfect body weight you may still be getting insufficient nutrients for optimal health and fertility (read more about nourishing up in a previous post here). Remember that current dietary guidelines are based on the idea of preventing deficiency (helping us survive), rather than promoting wellness (helping us thrive). Even ”healthy” diets such as the low fat diet above are missing the mark. Note that this low fat diet doesn’t even include guilty pleasures and convenience foods like McDonalds, Starbucks and Lean Cuisine. Also note that the fertility-friendly diet is rich and satisfying, and doesn’t feel like “diet food.” Our belief is that many women end up starving themselves of important nutrients in order to lose or even maintain their weight.
For this reason we recommend that women who are trying to conceive seek out a nutritionist who specializes in fertility to learn important steps they can take to optimize their diets for fertility. In addition, we also offer the Pulling Down the Moon Nutritional Program: a three part program of nutritional supplementation that includes a Supplement Packet with Prenatal Vitamin - a prenatal vitamin that has been optimized to include nutrients like CoQ10, extra B-vitamins, omega-3’s and choline; Probiotic Powder to support digestion, elimination and the immune system; and our PhytoNutrient Powder - a 100% certified organic fruit and vegetable drink to provide antioxidants in their most effective form – that of whole food.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.