How Nutrition Shapes Fertility, Pregnancy, and Menopause | 098

Dietitian Ayla Barmmer helps us understand just how much nutrition and gut health impact fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive health during perimenopause and menopause.

While supporting women undergoing IVF, Ayla noticed a troubling pattern: Many were advised by doctors to restrict food, and meet their nutrition needs with prenatal supplements that didn’t prepare their bodies for healthy conception and pregnancy. Furthermore, the medical establishment was hardly addressing men’s pre-conception health at all.

These gaps prompted Ayla to revolutionize reproductive supplements for women and men. She developed a prenatal multivitamin and launched FullWell, offering the first dietitian-formulated product in the category. Her commitment to radical transparency—publishing actual third-party test results rather than relying on certifications—redefined expectations in the supplement industry.

Ayla walks us through how to care for our reproductive health at all phases of life. We go over key labs and pre-conception food and lifestyle strategies for both women and men. And get the non-negotiable nutrition requirements for healthy pregnancy. From there we discuss recovery after birth (often ignored), other postpartum needs, plus recommendations for breastfeeding, and preparation for subsequent pregnancies.

Moving on to priorities in perimenopause and menopause, Ayla cuts through the confusion about protein, collagen, creatine, and enzymes. She red flags various supplements, then gives us a quick course in reading labels and speaking to companies, to ensure we’re giving ourselves the best support.

Big takeaway: Reproductive health goes beyond conception and pregnancy. Paying attention to this part of our health at every age is preventative wellness.

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS

Reproductive health is a powerful indicator of overall health at every age.

Gut health is foundational for reproductive health in women and men.

Women and men need to prepare their bodies 3 months before conception.

Men’s pre-conception health profoundly impacts fertility and pregnancy.

Semen quality impacts placenta development more than mother’s health.

Digestive and liver health impact optimal estrogen metabolism.

Adequate protein and fiber are essential for reproductive health.

Exercise is essential for optimal hormones and reproductive health.

ABOUT AYLA BARMMER

Ayla Barmmer, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian, functional medicine practitioner, and founder and CEO of FullWell, the only dietitian-led reproductive health supplement company.

With Boston Functional Nutrition, she built a globally recognized private practice helping individuals and couples navigate fertility, pregnancy, and hormone health.

Seeing a persistent gap in the quality, evidence base, and transparency of reproductive health supplements, Ayla formulated a prenatal vitamin and launched FullWell in 2019, committed to doing things differently. FullWell’s Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin consistently ranks among the top supplements in the category, with users in over 50 countries.

As a leading clinical voice in reproductive nutrition, Ayla speaks on evidence-based food strategies, supplement integrity, and women’s health, and uses her Substack to educate consumers and healthcare providers. She has mentored hundreds of practitioners and led one of the largest RD communities in the United States.

A mother of two, she lives in New England.

CONNECT WITH AYLA

Website: https://fullwellfertility.com/

Substack: https://substack.com/@aylabarmmer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullwellfertility/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullwellfertility/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylabarmmer/

MEET TESS MASTERS:

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.

CONNECT WITH TESS:

Website: https://tessmasters.com/

Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/

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