These nutritional guidelines will help prepare you for
and help you recover from surgery. By taking these nutrients both before
and after surgery, you will support the healing process and lessen the
post surgical discomfort and pain. Make sure that your diet is well
balanced and healthy. Remember that your general health after surgery
partly depends on your general health before surgery.

Recommended Nutrients:
Acidophilus - Take as directed, 3 times daily - To
stabilize the intestinal bacterial flora.
Coenzyme Q10 - 50 mg daily - A free radical destroyer
that improves tissue oxygenation.
Essential Fatty Acids - Take as directed - Important for
proper cell growth and healing of all tissues.
Free Form amino acid complex -Take as directed - Aids in
collagen synthesis and wound healing. A readily available form of protein,
easily absorbed by the body.
Garlic - 2 capsules 3 times daily - A natural antibiotic
that enhances immune function.
L-Cystine - 500 mg twice daily - Speeds healing of
wounds.
L-Glutamine - 500 mg 3 times daily and at bedtime -
Speeds healing of wounds.
L-Lysine - 500 mg daily - Speeds healing of wounds and
aids collagen formation.
* Caution - do not
take lysine for longer than 6 months at a time.
Multivitamin w/ minerals - Take as directed - Provides
necessary vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin A - Take as directed - Needed for protein
utilization in tissue repair and a free radical scavenger.
Beta-carotene - Free radical scavenger. Precursor
to vitamin A.
Vitamin K - Take as directed - Important for blood
clotting.
Vitamin C - 6,000 to 10,000 mg daily in divided doses -
Aids in tissue repair and healing of wounds. Vital for immune
function.
Vitamin E - Beginning the day after surgery, take 600 IU
daily. Improves circulation and repairs tissues.
Do NOT take any vitamin E during the 2 weeks before surgery - it
may thin the blood.
Vitamin E oil - topical; After the stitches are removed
and healing has begun, apply topically tot he area of the incision 3 times daily
-
Promotes healing and reduces scar formation.
Zinc - 50 mg daily - Important for tissue repair
Calcium - 1,500 mg daily - Important for tissue
repair
Magnesium - Important for tissue repair
Silica - Important for tissue repair
Vitamin D - 400 IU daily - necessary for the absorption
and utilization of calcium.

Herbs:
Herbal tea is highly recommended before and after
surgery. Try the following as teas:
Echinacea - enhances immune system function.
Goldenseal - a natural antibiotic and helps to prevent
infection.
* Caution - Do not take this herb
internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, it may disturb
normal intestinal flora. Do not use during pregnancy, and use it with
caution if you are allergic to ragweed.
Milk thistle - protects the liver from the toxic buildup
of drugs and chemicals resulting from surgical procedures.
Pau d'arco - a natural antibacterial herb. It
enhances healing, cleanses the blood, and aids in the prevention of
candidiasis.
Rose hips - are a good source of vitamin C and enhance
healing.

INFERTILITY
For conception to occur, the
right conditions need to exist. Both potential parents need to be in good
general health for these conditions to prevail. There are two major
factors to consider when trying to become pregnant. The first is that the
ovaries and testicles must be functional. The second is that the uterus
must be in proper condition to bear a child.
There are a few reasons why some couples
can't conceive even when they seem to have the physical ability.
Nutritional weaknesses or deficiencies account for many of the problems
encountered by men and women. In males, it is usually a low sperm count or
weak motility factor. In females, there are five main causes that
produce infertility. #1 Obstruction of the fallopian tubes. #2 A
biochemical defect of the Graaf follicles. This may cause the
release of immature eggs that cannot become fertilized. #3 Chronic
infections of the ovaries. #4 Hormone imbalance. #5 Immunopathic
self-aggression. This is an immunization against the egg.
The ovary becomes immunized
against the egg and marshals antibodies against it. Obviously, the
size of the egg is immensely larger than the size of the antibodies. Thus,
the aggression would remain ineffective if it weren't for the fact that once the
egg becomes fertilized during its descent, its surface immediately hardens in
order to avoid further attempts of fertilization. Though the aggression of
the antibodies cannot inflict any real damage to the egg, their combined contact
produces a stimulus that is similar to the impact of the sperm. Therefore,
as the time the egg descends through the tube, its surface is hardened and can
resist the impact of the sperm.
Many of these causes can be
corrected through effective supplements, adequate vaginal hygiene and proper
nutrition.
Improving fertility with
herbs/vitamins:
Astragalus (AKA huang qi) (extract ) - As directed on
label. Stimulates sperm motility.
* Caution -
do not use in the presence of fever!
Beta-carotene - 15,000 IU daily. Important in
reproductive gland function.
Calcium - As directed. Works with magnesium, zinc,
sulfur, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.
Chaste tree (vitex) - Helps correct hormone imbalances in
women.
Cyanocobalamin (B12) - Important in the reproductive
process. The male testes contain high amounts of this vitamin. Works with
calcium, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy
sperm.
Damiana - enhances sexual function in men, good for
women.
Dong quai - good for women.
Essential Fatty Acids - Take as directed on label.
EFAs are essential for normal glandular function, especially for the
reproductive system.
False unicorn root - Strengthens the female uterine
walls.
Folic Acid - Works synergistically with vitamin A, C and
E to produce sperm.
Ginseng - enhances sexual function in men, good for
women.
* Caution - do not use if you have high
blood pressure.
Gotu kola - Considered a sexual regenerator for
women.
Inositol - Works with calcium, magnesium, sulfur, B12, C
and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.
Kelp - High in minerals, considered helpful for balancing
hormones in men & women.
L-Arginine - As directed. Increases sperm count and
plays a vital role in sperm motility.
Licorice root - good for women.
* Caution - do not use if you have high blood pressure.
Magnesium - As directed. Works with calcium, zinc,
sulfur, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.
Manganese - As directed (Take separately from
calcium). Maintains sex hormone production.
Niacin/Niacinamide (B3) - As directed. Essential
for the synthesis of sex hormones.
Pantothenic acid (B5) - As directed. Maintains sex
hormone production.
Para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) - 50 mg daily. May be
vital in restoring fertility in some women.
Pyridoxine (B6) - 50 mg 3 times daily. Needed for
the synthesis of RNA and DNA.
Raw orchic glandular - (For men) As directed.
Supports testicular function.
Raw ovarian glandular - (For women) As directed.
Supports ovarian function.
Sarsaparilla - enhances sexual function in men.
Saw palmetto - enhances sexual function in men. Selenium
- 200-400 mcg. Daily. A deficiency of selenium lead to reduced sperm count
and has been linked to sterility in men and infertility in women.
Sulfur - As directed. Works with calcium,
zinc, magnesium, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy
sperm.
Vitamin A - 10,000-15,000 IU daily (do not take more than
10,000 IU if pregnant). Affects sexual hormones in both male and
female.
Vitamin B complex - 50 mg daily. Important in
reproductive gland function.
Vitamin C - 2,000-6,000 mg daily, in divided doses.
Vitamin C is important in sperm production. It keeps the sperm from
clumping and makes them more motile. Works with calcium, magnesium, sulfur,
zinc, B12, and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.
Vitamin E - Start with 200 IU daily and increase
gradually to 400-1,000 iu daily. Vitamin E is needed for balanced
hormone
production. It carries oxygen to
the sex organs.
Wild yam root - Helps correct hormone imbalance in men
& women.
Yohimbe - enhances sexual function in men.
Zinc - 80 mg daily. Do not exceed a total of 100 mg
daily from ALL supplements. Zinc is important for the functioning of
the
reproductive organs. Works with
calcium, magnesium, sulfur, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy
sperm.
Other recommendations:
Avoid vigorous exercise, hot tubs, and saunas, as they
may lead to changes in ovulation and reduced sperm count.
Avoid all alcohol; it reduces sperm count and can prevent
implantation of fertilized egg.
For some people (men and women) a gluten free diet has
been known to help.