A Holistic Approach to Improving Fertility in Both Men and Women with The Fertility Expert

This episode of Conversations for Health features The Fertility Expert Dr. Marc Sklar. Dr. Marc is a natural fertility expert who has been helping couples get pregnant for 20 years and his mission is to help couples feel confident about their fertility journey. Reproductive Wellness is his clinic in San Diego and he also offers online fertility coaching as the creator of Fertility TV on YouTube.  Marc is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, trained at the Harvard Medical School Mind/Body Medical Institute, and is a Fellow of the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine.   In our conversation, Dr. Marc addresses the challenges of infertility for both women and men, including the environmental and internal factors that are increasingly impacting fertility. He highlights his standard testing and nutrient recommendations as well as the importance of focusing on gut health and improved diet and movement as a complement to all treatments. Dr. Marc shares the hope of turning every unique infertility story into a successful pregnancy and offers his encouraging advice for anyone who has been facing the frustrations of infertility.   I'm your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.   Key Takeaways:   [2:18] Dr. Marc reflects on the first pregnancy that he helped make possible. [4:30] Key reasons for the rise in today's increasing numbers of infertility issues. [8:22] First steps in assessing female infertility, including lab tests and individualized first treatments. [13:22] Common toxins that Dr. Marc finds in environmental and toxin panels. [15:30] Next steps in addressing the findings from a health history workup. [19:45] The value of focusing on gut health and detox in working toward a successful pregnancy. [21:50] Male factors in attempted pregnancy account for 50% of infertility issues. [25:58] Changing male parameters of sperm count limits, DNA fragmentation, and age limits. [32:27] Dr. Marc's generalized advice for men to help increase sperm count. [36:12] Nutrient recommendations from Dr. Marc to help enhance male fertility. [39:20] Diet and lifestyle are essential first conversations before Dr. Marc recommends supplements. [40:12] Research findings surrounding NAD, NMN, FSH, and AMH for older women. [47:03] The hope that Dr. Marc sees in each of his fertility stories regardless of the specifics. [51:52] Recommendations for high-quality female supplements and hormones. [53:33] The impact of glucose metabolism as it impacts fertility. [55:20] Dr. Marc's personal supplement favorites, health practices, and the misconceptions that he has changed his mind about.   Episode Resources:   Dr. Marc Sklar   Fertility TV   The Fertility Expert on TikTok   Design for Health Resources:   Designs for Health   Blog: Fertility Facts   Blog: Lifestyle, A Factor in Fertility?   Blog: How Environmental Toxins Affect Offspring   Blog: Endocrine Disruptors in Infertility   Clinical Protocol: Female Fertility   Clinical Protocol: Male Fertility Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.