Dairy and fertility health are two things people may not think are related but recent evidence from the Nurses’ Health Study suggest that certain dairy foods can negatively affect your fertility.  Are you eating the right ones?

More Dairy – Less Fertile?

In North America, dairy products like milk and cheese can be found in just about every kitchen refrigerator.  Despite this popularity, is dairy beneficial when it comes to fertility health?  According to some studies, the more dairy you consume the less fertile you may be. [1, 4]

Why Skimming Milk May Be the Reason

For one, cows are often milked while pregnant (talk to your local dairy farmer).   Thus, the cow’s circulating hormones can make their way into the milk supply, causing a potential hormonal imbalance for humans who ingest the milk.   [2]

Also, the “skimming” process may have a negative effect on your hormonal balance.   The theory is that certain hormones are connected to the fat molecules in the milk and by “skimming” off the fat, we are creating an imbalance. Some research is suggesting that if you are consuming milk products while trying to get pregnant, try to consume full-fat dairy foods instead of low-fat [3].

High Fat for More Fertility

The research is not saying you should consume a large amount of high fat dairy products when trying to get pregnant.  My interpretation is that if you decide to consume dairy when trying to conceive, opt for full-fat products. You can switch back to lower fat choices after your pregnancy.

If you are worried about your fertility health but still want dairy in your life, choose plain, organic yogurt with full fat, or try sheep’s and goat’s milk products.   Also, be sure to stay away from yogurts in the little cups as they are often high in sugar and low in beneficial probiotics.

1.  Cramner, D et al. 1994 “Adult hypolactasia, milk consumption, and age-specific fertility”, American Journal of Epidemiology, Feb 1, 139(3), 282-289.

2.  Boost Your Fertility, Marilyn Glenville, PH.D., Fair Winds Press, 2008.

3.  The Fertility Diet, Jorge Chavarro, MD, ScD, Walter Willett, MD, DrPH., McGraw Hill, 2008.

4.  Chavarro, J. et al. 2007, “A prospective study of dairy foods intake and anovulatory infertility”, Human Reproduction, May, 22(5), 1340-1347.