Environmental Toxins & Fertility

In Episode 4 of the Fertility Journeys Podcast, Dr. Shala is joined by Lara Adler. Lara is an expert on environmental toxins, an educator, and a health coach.  

Here are some of the highlights of the discussion between Dr. Shala & Lara:

  • Research on environmental toxins and what we now know about this topic.
  • Information suppression by corporate interests, and how US policy around chemicals is different from other countries.
  • Endocrine disruptors and the impact that they have on your hormones.
  • Where to begin if you are experiencing infertility or wanting to get pregnant; how to limit your toxin exposure.
  • Plastics, BPA, and considerations for removing them from your home.
  • How to sort through all of the overwhelming information about toxins and make smart daily choices.

This episode also features a segment on navigating the holiday season while going through fertility treatment.

I hope you will listen to this episode and share it with any family, friends, or colleagues who might find it interesting.  You can listen to the podcast HERE.

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How Your Microbiome Impacts Fertility

In Episode 3 of the Fertility Journeys Podcast, Dr. Shala is joined by Dr. Vivian Chen. Dr. Chen is a UK doctor with over  15 years of clinical experience.  She’s board-certified in the UK in both internal medicine and family practice.    Here in the US, she coaches clients back to health virtually, helping them to identify root causes of illness and implement lifestyle solutions to heal.  

Here are some of the highlights of the discussion between Dr. Shala & Dr. Vivian:

  • Dr. Vivian’s transition from chronic disease management in family practice medicine to focusing on root cause identification for people, to help them understand what is making them ill, versus just treating symptoms.
  • Reducing toxin load as environmental toxins play a role in impacting many chronic conditions.
  • Understanding gut health, and how we now know it’s central to overall health with 70-80% of our immune system in our gut.
  • Dr. Vivian shares her personal journey to heal her gut, and how inflammation, food and nutrition are so impactful for understanding and optimizing health.
  • Leaky gut, and what we now know about the gut lining.  The gut lining should be permeable enough to allow nutrients to come in, the good stuff,  but it shouldn’t be big enough to allow the bad stuff, the bacteria, the endotoxins.
  • Keto and paleo; misconceptions about these diet trends and how they can impact female health.
  • Your microbiome; how to properly feed it and exploring fermented foods!

This episode also features an easy-to-implement breathing technique, 4-7-8 breathing that can be so helpful for managing stress or taking a quick mental break.

I hope you will listen to this episode and share it with any family, friends, or colleagues who might find it interesting.  You can listen to the podcast HERE.

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Self-advocating on your fertility journey

In Episode 2 of the Fertility Journeys Podcast, Dr. Shala is joined by Marilyn Gomez.  She teaches women how to self-advocate on their own fertility and healing journeys.

Here are some of the highlights of the discussion between Dr. Shala & Marilyn:

  • How crystals can be incorporated into your life for everyday healing, empowerment, or inspiration.
  • The need for healing along the fertility journey and how non-traditional tools, when used with therapy or conventional methods, can be an extension of our own power to self-heal.
  • A deep dive into Reiki and how Marilyn used it on her own IVF journey.
  • Marilyn shares her emotional journey through infertility, treatment, and how she had to become her own advocate with her doctors.
  • Using a therapist to help carry the “ebs and flows” of the journey
  • Postpartum realities after having a child
  • The healing powers in being of service to others through volunteering

This episode is will be relatable and likely comforting to anyone who has or is experiencing a fertility rollercoaster.  I hope you’ll listen and share it with anyone that it could help.  You can listen to the podcast HERE

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Finding mental wellbeing on your fertility journey

Last week, the Fertility Journeys podcast launched!  This podcast features expert guests from various backgrounds within integrative medicine and real patient stories. Episode 1 features Dr. Loree Johnson and a deep discussion about fertility stress and trauma.  Here is a highlight of some of the discussion between Dr. Shala and Dr. Loree  

  • A natural progression that can take place for many people when they undergo fertility treatments, where it begins to impact mental health.
  • Getting mental health check-ups and support while undergoing fertility treatment isn’t the standard, but maybe it should be.
  • An explanation of the difference between infertility stress and infertility trauma; observing the severity of symptoms. 
  • The value for anybody who’s going through infertility struggles to work with a mental health professional.
  • The stress that men can feel during the fertility journey, and ways that couples can maintain a connection. 
  • EMDR therapy, what it is, and how it can help someone experiencing infertility. 
  • Mindfulness and refocusing attention to the present on the fertility journey

This episode is packed with great information.  I hope you’ll listen and share it with anyone that it could help.  You can listen to the podcast HERE

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