I want to talk about infertility. No matter where you are on your journey, I want you to know that I am thinking about you! All of your emotions are real, normal, and valid. It is hard. It flat out SUCKS! This topic hit home for me and my family personally, and with that experience I got to observe, first hand, what infertility treatment looks like.
I am not here to say I have THE solution or to say what you are doing is bad. It's not bad. In fact, infertility treatment is very good. However, I think there are some simple researched based items that are overlooked. My goal is to offer researched based ideas that may better the odds of becoming pregnant.
There are 3 items that I want to address and that I believe are overlooked in conventional infertility treatment alone:
The Health of the Nervous System that runs the Ovaries and Uterus.
Mitochondrial Health of the Ovaries and Maturing Follicle
Tissue Health of the Uterus and Surrounding Tissue
The Nervous System and the Nerves that Run the Ovaries and Uterus
Nerves can be compared to the wiring that runs from a light switch to the bulb that creates light. We will experience flickering or no light emitting from the bulb if the electricity flowing from the light switch is not a smooth current. The same metaphor can be applied from the information being sent from the Brain to the Uterine and Ovarian Organs and back.
The Importance of the Central Nervous System
Let’s start with the brain (light switch). The brain is the foundation of the Central Nervous System and works with the Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerves (wires) to carry the knowledge needed to help organs function. The brain output will send information to the Ovaries and Uterus, while also interpreting feedback from these organs. With this information, the brain will work to create an environment that harbors the ability for the organs to function and carry out its intended process - such as reproduction.
It is very important to understand that the brain REACTS to the environment or stimulation it RECEIVES from outside of the brain.
Why is this important? To start, there is evidence that stimulation of the brain/spinal cord has helped increase fertility in women categorized as "severely infertile.” This clinical trial states:
In the first trial, there were “74 women of an average age of 39.28 years old categorized to have severe infertility in whom assisted reproductive technology (ART) had been unsuccessful (average of 9.13 yr) participated in the first part of a study..”
“.. LLLT (Low Level Light Therapy) was applied (830 nm, CW, GaAlAs 60 mW diode LLLT) in Ohshiro's proximal priority technique (average 21.08 sessions) with or without other ART approaches..”
“.. Pregnancy was achieved in the first part of the trial in 16 patients (21.7% of 74) of whom 11 (68%) achieved successful live delivery.. “
“.. Based on successful outcomes, the study was then extended to March 2012, amassing a final total of 701 patients.. In the extended trial, pregnancy was achieved in 156 (22.3% of 701) with 79 live deliveries (50.1%)."
Another direct link of Uterine health and the Central Nervous System, is its direct link to the Vagus Nerve. This study states “..the vagus nerves serve as connections between the uterus and CNS (Central Nervous System)..”
This is important information as the Vagus Nerve is also a direct link to the Enteric Nervous System. The Enteric Nervous System runs several organs such as “..esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, gallbladder and biliary tree, the nerve fibers that connect these ganglia, and nerve fibers that supply the muscle of the gut wall, the mucosal epithelium, arterioles and other effector tissues.”
In other words, if you are having digestive issues, it can cause issues with fertility. We will not talk about possible digestion strategies in this article.
These case studies are encouraging, showing that direct and indirect treatment of the Central Nervous System have positive affects of reproductive organs. We will explore, later, why LLLT was likely very effective in the study above.
The Ovaries, Uterus, and the Peripheral Nervous System
The Peripheral Nervous System (wires that carry electricity to the light bulb), or nerves outside of the Central Nervous System is the next item we need to understand. It is important because we can search for break downs that may lead to lower functioning nerves. For example, I see a lot of people that have tingling in their fingers, and many times the issue is occurring in the shoulder, which is causing the neurological symptom. Symptoms from neurological short falls can look different for everyone!
In regard to the Uterus, the spinal nerves (the level at which nerves leave the spine) at the spinal levels T10 - L2 are called Hypogastric nerves.
When talking about the Ovaries, it is worth noting that there are a few different nerves that help with ovarian function. The two nerves of interest are the Superior Ovarian Nerve (SON) and the Ovarian Nerve Plexus (OPN). These Nerves come from the Splanchnic Nerve. The Splanchnic Nerve comes from the Vagus Nerve. These nerves can also be found leaving the lower part of the spine.
Are you seeing the importance of neurological health? Are you noticing that there may be a lot of areas of potential break down? Remember how we just talked about the importance of the Vagal Nerve Health? A good general concept in regards to nerves that are closely related is - you cannot affect one nerve without affecting the other. For example, if you are having gut issues causing vagal nerve issues, this can lead to ovarian health issues.
Mitochondrial Health of the Ovaries and Maturing Follicle
Mitochondria and its role in neurological and organ health, as well as Maturing Follicles may be an important factor that is overlooked, when talking about infertility.
What is Mitochondria?
Mitochondria is a cellular organelle that generates the vast majority of a cell's energy, also known as ATP. ATP energy is required for cellular growth.
Where does Mitochondria Come From?
Mitochondria are formed through our developmental DNA. In general, “..mitochondrial DNA is exclusively maternally inherited..”, or inherited from the mother.
What are the different roles of Mitochondria during oocyte Development?
An “oocyte’s mitochondrial DNA level is crucial to provide sufficient ATP content for the developing embryo until the blastocyst stage of development.”
“Human preimplantation development and embryo implantation is an energy-demanding process that involves a range of energetic cellular processes, requiring significant quantities of ATP. Therefore, mitochondria must play a crucial role in proper fertilization and embryogenesis.”
"With decreasing numbers of mitochondria, the proportion of mutant/wild type mtDNA in the oocyte may be increased to not allow the proper embryo development."
Are there any options to help maximize Mitochondrial function?
Research found “Pyruvate was found to be rapidly metabolized by mitochondria, whereas glucose was not." This makes sense as Pyruvate has the ability to cross the Mitochondrial Membrane (wall). From a nutritional standpoint, some supplemental forms of Pyruvate are: Dihydroxyacetone pyruvate (DHAP), calcium pyruvate, magnesium pyruvate, potassium pyruvate, sodium pyruvate, pyruvic acid. Many of these ingredients can be found in Apples, Cheese, and Red wine.
What happens to Pyruvate when it enters the Mitochondria?
Pyruvate changes form through Oxidation and becomes Acetyl CoA.
From there, the Krebs Cycle is born. The Krebs Cycle is important because there is a conversion where "NADH" is made. From a chemical stand point, this is important because NADH can lose the "H+" which ultimately allows the mitochondria to create a large amount of ATP.
What is the Role of NAD+ and NADH and how can it affect the Mitochondria?
NAD+ is short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. Some interesting facts about NAD+ is that the production of NAD+ decreases as we age. We see a significant decrease in NAD+ production around the age of 60. It has been suggested, as the body ages, more enzymatic processes occur in the aging body, such as DNA repair, which requires more use of NAD+.
NADH is short for "Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide + Hydrogen". How you get NADH are reactions that convert NAD+ to NADH. And you can see where some of those reactions occur in the picture provided.
In normal cells, ratios of NAD+ to NADH can range anywhere from 500:1 to 2000:1. This suggests that there needs to be readily available NAD+ so normal biochemical reactions can take place within a cell.
Here is a short list as to what NAD+ has been associated with:
Increased cellular energy (ATP)
Improved DNA Repair
Reduced Oxidative Stress - aka "Toxins"
Greater ability to fight inflammation
Reduced Cellular Senescence or the gradual deterioration of biological functions and processes in a cell.
Better immune health
Improved glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity
Improved blood plasma lipid profiles
Improved nerve-tissue generation
In general, NAD+ is a very important ingredient needed for Mitochondria to create as much ATP as possible.
Low Level Light Therapy and Mitochondria
Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is known for its ability to induce mitochondrial photobiomodulation (PBM). The primary goals of PBM is to reduce pain, inflammation, edema, and to regenerate damaged tissues such as wounds, bones and tendons. During the PBM Process, “The primary site of light absorption in mammalian cells has been identified as the mitochondria.” PBM has been shown to stimulate ATP Production - the energy of the cell - in several studies.
Tissue Health of Uterus and Surrounding Tissues
Tissue health of the uterus and surrounding tissue of the Ovaries are vary important.
Why is tissue health important?
Tissue health is important for several reasons. From a neurological perspective, if abnormal tissue is present, it can cause unwanted dysfunction, whether it is inappropriate viscero- somatic, or viscero-autonomic changes that could increase the stress to the mother. This is an important concept, because increased stress can be a protective mechanism to the mother telling the body it is not ready to have a child, ultimately lowering the odds of fertilization. Another problem is it can lead to dysfunctional long diameter fiber responses which can lead to the inability to control pain - another unwanted stress that could reduce the chances of fertilization.
The lining of the uterus is ultimately the most important tissue. If fibroids, inflamed endometrial cells, or other factors of uterine tissue inflammation are present, implantation would become increasingly difficult.
Are there any Uterine Tissue Health Solutions?
Shockwave therapy is well known to be a very effective modality in improving tissue health. As a general rule, Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) does a great job of breaking down abnormal tissue, increasing blood flow to the areas of interest, and stimulating fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are a key component to new healthy tissue healing. Shockwave Therapy has also been shown to help repair damaged myelin sheath of nerves. Finally, the findings of shockwave therapy “revealed that these two treatments inhibited endometrial fibrosis and inflammatory markers, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of intrauterine adhesions.”
Not only does LLLT help with mitochondrial health, but LLLT has been shown to “..produced a proliferative effect on the epithelial..” organelles. A Clinical Trial discussed using LLLT and measured improvement of endometrial cellular health by stating "The human endometrium is an extremely sensitive target. LLLT can enhance the proliferation rate of various cell lines, it produces higher rates of ATP, RNA, and DNA synthesis in stem cells and other cell lines. Thus, LLLT improves the proliferation of the cells without causing any cytotoxic effects.”
I am Overwhelmed with all of this information, how can I seek this type of care for infertility?
Yes, it is a lot of information! Here are options as to what you can do right now:
Stenzel Chiropractic Clinic provides a variety of services and protocols to help better the nervous system and tissue health. If you are not yet a patient, or don't have the ability to become a patient with us, we can set up a Telehealth consultation to get you on the right track with supplemental and potential protocols you can ask your Chiropractor or Physician to use for treatment.
Stenzel Chiropractic Clinic can set up a consultation with you so we can send you a test kit to check your NAD+ levels to ensure your Mitochondria are working optimally. Once we get the results of the test, we can increase NAD+ with our interventions.
References:
The role of maternal mitochondria during oogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis
Personal Overview of the Application of LLLT in Severely Infertile Japanese Females
Female reproductive tract pain: targets, challenges, and outcomes
Autonomic nervous regulation of ovarian function by noxious somatic afferent stimulation
Mechanisms and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling in Photobiomodulation
Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on Endometrial Cells: An In Vitro Study (LLLT)
Comments