Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I am 26 years old and my husband and I are trying to have a baby. My menstrual cycles are somewhat irregular, though my doctor says there is nothing “wrong.” Are there supplements that might help me?” —Cheriqua T., East Orange, NJ A. Dear Cheriqua, Congratulations on beginning one of life’s most fulfilling journeys: becoming a parent. The first thing to incorporate is a high quality prenatal vitamin. I know you are not pregnant yet, but neurological development is rapid in the first few weeks after conception, and you need to have plenty of healthy nutrients on board before your baby needs them. Visit your local quality health food store and see what brands they recommend. To help normalize your menstrual cycle, which can play a role in conception, I’d encourage you to consider a good chaste tree berry extract, standardized to 0.5% agnusides. A good dose would be 225 to 250 mgs, two or three times daily. Next is an interesting herbal called Rhodiola rosea. In studies, rhodiola has had excellent effects on helping women have more regular menstrual cycles and ovulation. A healthy dose is 200 to 300 mg per day. I especially like some of the liquid spray pump bottles as this form absorbs very quickly. Last, but not least, there is some preliminary information that CoQ10 can promote healthy fertility in both men and women. There are several good brands on the market, so maybe both you AND your husband might want to include this in your health plan at between 100 and 200 mg per day. Good luck, and I hope you will contact me again with some good news! Healthy regards! Terry . . . Naturally