More than 300 biological functions in the human body require zinc, and zinc is necessary for the synthesis of all proteins in the body including genetic material. Hence, it is one of the most important fertility nutrients for men and women, as it directly influences the quality of eggs and sperm. Zinc is involved in energy metabolism, and hence the reason sperm contain a high level of zinc is to give them the energy they need to reach the egg and create and release enzymes to help the sperm head to penetrate the egg’s outer shell. Zinc also aids sperm motility by preventing them from clumping together, which slows them down. For women, zinc is important for the immune system, balancing blood sugar, detoxification, and hormone balance because zinc is needed to make progesterone. Hormone imbalance can affect how regular a menstrual cycle is, and how an ovary develops and releases its eggs. Smoothie- and fertility-friendly sources of zinc include cacao, chia, coconut, cashews, Swiss chard, parsley, eggs, macadamias, maple syrup, oats, pecans, peanuts, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, tahini, figs, spinach, ginger root, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Recipe - Chocolate Pudding (from the “Making Babies’’ chapter) 2 tablespoons raw rolled oats plus ½ cup water or milk, or ½ cup of porridge (cooled) 1 banana, fresh or frozen and sliced ¼ avocado 1 tablespoon of raw cacao plus tiny pinch of salt 3 medjool dates, pitted 1 cup non-dairy milk 1 raw egg (optional) Handful of spinach (optional) #motherandbabysmoothies #makingbabies #zinc #zincforwomen #zincformen #fertilitysmoothies #fertilityfriendly
