Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly found in plastics and the majority of us are exposed to this hormone disruptor multiple times daily. We previously introduced BPA and the negative health impacts here. We know that BPA exposure when trying to conceive can negatively impact multiple aspects of your health, including your fertility and the likelihood of your children having health problems.
New data suggests that something as simple as getting enough folate through your diet can help protect you from the damaging effects of BPA. This study looked at the dietary habits of couples with infertility who were going through IVF treatment. They found that women with high urinary BPA concentrations had lower pregnancy rates and live birth rates if they didn’t consume enough folic acid (<400μg/day of food folate) compared to similar women with high BPA exposure but adequate folic acid intake. They found that women who ate enough folate in their food had higher pregnancy rates, despite the fact that they had high BPA exposure. This suggests that folate intake may somehow protect women from the negative impact of BPA on fertility.
Take home points:
- Avoid BPA as much as possible
- Make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet to get adequate folate intake while trying to conceive
Enhancing Fertility 