Fertility challenges are on the rise, and the truth is, our modern lifestyle has made conception harder than ever. Processed foods, stress, environmental toxins, it all takes a toll and now many people are looking for natural, nutrient dense solutions to support their reproductive health.
For both men and women, fertility is not just about reproductive organs, it’s about the whole body being in a state of health an vitality. Fertility is the product of a body in balance, hormones working harmoniously, nutrient levels optimised, and systems functioning at their peak. The good news is, even when thrown off balance, the body is designed to recalibrate.
And when you give it the right fuel, the kind that generations before us relied on, things start falling into place naturally.
Let's dive into 3 of the most fertility nourishing foods, as well as some lifestyle balances to complement them.
Why nutrition matters for fertility
Fertility is more than just the ability to conceive, it’s a reflection of your entire body’s health. Every system plays a role:
- The gut: If digestion is compromised, nutrient absorption is reduced, affecting egg and sperm health.
- The liver: Detoxifies excess estrogen and supports hormone balance.
- The thyroid: Regulates metabolism and is essential for ovulation and sperm production.
- The adrenals: Chronic stress depletes progesterone, a key fertility hormone.
- The mitochondria: Fuel egg and sperm quality, directly affecting conception and pregnancy outcomes.
The modern diet, full of processed foods, seed oils, synthetic additives, and mineral-depleted produce, fails to support these critical functions.
The ancestral approach
Before modern prenatal vitamins, our ancestors relied on these three foods for their unparalleled ability to nourish the body and support reproductive health:
1. Organ meats
- Liver was traditionally given to women trying to conceive because it’s loaded with nutrients that support healthy hormones, ovulation, and egg quality. It’s packed with vitamin A, iron, B vitamins, and CoQ10, which are all essential for egg and sperm health.
- Heart, whether that's beef or lamb, is loaded with CoQ10, which helps improve mitochondrial function in eggs and sperm. There’s also kidney, which is high in selenium, a key mineral for reproductive health and thyroid function, which directly impacts fertility.
- Less common but rich in iron and enzymes that support digestion, spleen & pancreas improve nutrient absorption which is critical for fertility.
- If you’re new to eating organs, start with liver, it’s the most nutrient dense and easiest to incorporate into meals and you can easily find it in most supermarkets and butchers.
2. Colostrum
- Colostrum is one of those foods that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but it should. It’s what mothers produce in the first few days after giving birth, packed with everything needed to build a strong immune system and heal the gut.
- And here’s the thing: fertility and gut health are deeply connected. If your gut is inflamed, your body struggles to absorb nutrients, regulate hormones, and sustain a healthy pregnancy. Colostrum helps repair that, supporting your body from the inside out.
3. Collagen
- Collagen is often talked about in terms of skin, hair, and nails, but when it comes to fertility, it plays an even bigger role. It strengthens connective tissue, supports a healthy uterine lining, and provides key amino acids that help with hormone production and pregnancy support.
- Your body expands, shifts, and adapts in ways you never expected. Keeping collagen levels high helps with joint strength, skin elasticity, and overall recovery. Plus, it pairs perfectly with colostrum to support digestion and gut health, a major win for anyone dealing with bloating, sluggish metabolism, or post-pill hormone imbalances.
Lifestyle practices to boost fertility
It’s not just about what you eat, fertility is a reflection of your overall health and lifestyle. Here are some simple, ancestrally aligned practices to incorporate into your daily routine:
- Get morning sunlight: Natural light first thing in the morning regulates circadian rhythms, supports hormone production, and helps balance cortisol (stress hormones can mess with fertility).
- Grounding: Walking barefoot on grass or a sandy beach reduces inflammation, supports hormone balance, and improves sleep, which are all essential for conception.
- Prioritise deep sleep: Your body does the majority of its hormone regulation and repair at night. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep in total darkness, away from blue light.
- Reduce endocrine disruptors: Swap out plastic water bottles, toxic beauty products, and household cleaners for natural, non-toxic alternatives to reduce exposure to chemicals that disrupt hormones. If you're curious, we wrote a blog on the '5 personal hygiene products that are messing with your fertility' as well as 'A guidemap to reducing toxins in your daily life'
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress is one of the biggest fertility blockers. Incorporate breathwork, meditation, or even simple daily walks to keep stress in check.
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Cycle syncing for women: Understanding your cycle and adjusting your training, eating, and lifestyle habits to match each phase can dramatically improve fertility and hormone balance.
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Testosterone & fertility support for men: Men need to be lifting heavy, eating enough protein & fats, and getting sunlight to support optimal testosterone levels and sperm health.
When you fuel your body with the right nutrients, support it with ancestral wisdom, and remove modern day stressors, you create the best possible environment for fertility, hormone balance, and overall wellness.
Your body already knows what to do, you just have to give it the right tools. Let’s bring back the wisdom of ancestral nutrition and create the next generation of thriving, nourished humans.
