S1E14 IVF x Infertility x Nutrition with Neema Savvides

Fertility is about more than just an egg count or a sperm sample. It’s a whole-body process. And we often overlook one basic question when trying to conceive (TTC): Are you giving your body the things it needs to thrive outside of your fertility?In this episode, fertility nutritionist Neema Savvides breaks down how nutrition and other commonly-overlooked health factors impact fertility, why diet culture complicates fertility advice, and what you can do to take control of your reproductive health (instead of feeling at the mercy of your lab results). We discuss:* What “unexplained infertility” really means* Why IVF is not a fail-safe or magic fix* How diet culture has infiltrated our understanding of fertility nutrition* How underlying conditions like nutrient deficiency, restrictive dieting, and thyroid issues can impact fertility (and can be managed)The TabooFertility struggles and TTC are deeply personal, and using interventions like IVF (in vitro fertilization) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) require us to put a lot of trust in clinicians and the fertility industry. But what if you’re diagnosed with “unexplained infertility,” and the imperfect system that’s supposed to help you get pregnant is also somewhat to blame?This episode challenges the unspoken truth that fertility clinics are businesses and sometimes prioritize efficiency — and, potentially, profit — over comprehensive testing or whole-body health, while there are things you can do before or during intervention to support your body and improve chances of success.The Guest ExpertNeema Savvides is a fertility nutritionist with over twelve years of clinical experience. She specializes in treating clients with PCOS, endometriosis, and using IVF.* 📍 London, UK* 📱 neemasavvides_fertility* 🍓 5-Day Habit Challenge: Reset and RebootLinks + ResourcesKey Takeaways* What we call “unexplained infertility” is often un-investigated infertility. Many fertility clinics skip addressing thyroid health, inflammation, and nutrient levels, which could explain why conception isn’t happening.* Fertility nutrition is really about nutrient adequacy, not restriction. Diet culture often pushes “clean eating,” but eating enough and focusing on key nutrients (rather than eliminating foods) is recommended.* IVF is not a guarantee of pregnancy, and prepping your body matters, because interventions like IVF and IUI don’t fix poor egg or sperm quality. Optimizing your nutrition, reducing inflammation, and getting the right tests before starting treatment can improve success rates.Time Stamps:* 04:31 | The reality of “unexplained infertility” (and why it’s often more un-investigated than unexplained)* 07:16 | What fertility clinics may not test for, but should* 14:51 | How diet culture warps our ideas about fertility nutrition* 18:31 | Key tests for understanding your fertility* 22:01 | The truth about IVF success rates and what most people don’t know before starting treatment* 25:41 | How nutrition really affects fertility; what to focus on (without food fear)* 30:01 | “Toxins” and fertility* 34:16 | Managing the emotional side of fertility struggles* 38:31 | Action items ✅ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit micahlarsen.substack.com