Realfoodology Podcast Summary

Episode: The Fertility Crisis No One Talks About – What You NEED to Know! | WeNatal
Host: Courtney Swan
Guests: Ronit and Vida, Founders of WeNatal
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Produced By: Wellness Loud

Overview

In this deeply insightful episode of the Realfoodology podcast, host Courtney Swan engages in a heartfelt conversation with Ronit and Vida, the founders of WeNatal. The discussion centers around the often-overlooked fertility crisis in the United States, paralleling it with the chronic disease epidemic. The trio delves into personal experiences, scientific insights, and practical advice aimed at addressing and overcoming fertility challenges.

Personal Journeys and the Onset of WeNatal

Courtney opens the episode by sharing her personal journey toward pregnancy, expressing her hope to conceive by the end of the year and her immersion into conversations with fertility experts. She introduces Ronit and Vida, who share their own heartbreaking experiences with miscarriages, which propelled them to create WeNatal—a company focused on providing essential nutrients to support healthy pregnancies.

Courtney Swan [00:19]: "Unfortunately, we're also dealing with a fertility crisis in this country right now. But fear not, I've got a lot of amazing episodes that have already come out."

Ronit recounts her pregnancies at ages 38 and 42, emphasizing the importance of investing in health early on to support fertility.

Ronit [04:19]: "Truly investing in your health early on. And we talked about that too. You know, it's if you know, you want to have kids one day. It's never too early to start working on your fertility."

The Unspoken Role of Men in Fertility

A significant portion of the discussion highlights the critical but often ignored role of men in the fertility equation. Ronit emphasizes that men contribute equally to fertility issues, yet societal focus remains disproportionately on women.

Ronit [06:03]: "Our biggest aha from that miscarriage was that I was focused on my health but completely ignored my husband's health... Men are 50% of the fertility equation."

Vida adds that men's ability to regenerate sperm offers an opportunity to enhance fertility, especially through antioxidants.

Vida [08:08]: "You cannot do it alone. Regardless of your situation, you need to make sure both partners are leveling up their health."

The Importance of Mitochondria and Nutrients

The conversation delves into the role of mitochondria in egg quality, challenging the misconception that egg quantity solely determines fertility. Ronit explains how enhancing mitochondrial health can reduce chromosomal abnormalities during egg maturation.

Ronit [10:49]: "The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, and our eggs have the most amount of mitochondria compared to any other cell in the body... improving your mitochondria can improve egg quality."

The trio discusses WeNatal's prenatal supplements, which include essential nutrients like CoQ10, PQQ, L-carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid to support mitochondrial function and overall fertility.

Lifestyle Factors: Diet, Exercise, Sleep, and Stress Management

Ronit and Vida emphasize that beyond nutrition, lifestyle choices significantly impact fertility. They outline several factors:

• Diet: Adopting an antioxidant-rich, Mediterranean-style diet to combat oxidative stress.

  Ronit [19:07]: "Adding an antioxidant-rich diet, focusing on the Mediterranean diet has a lot of research behind it for fertility."

• Exercise: Advocating for balanced physical activity, cautioning against over-exercising which can deplete energy and harm hormonal balance.

  Courtney [39:27]: "I'm protecting my hormonal health by choosing walking over intense workouts when needed."

• Sleep: Highlighting the importance of quality sleep for immune function and overall health.

  Vida [20:49]: "Sleep is arguably one of the most important things to repair our immune system..."

• Stress Management: Encouraging practices like meditation, nature walks, and gratitude journaling to mitigate stress's detrimental effects on fertility.

  Vida [22:35]: "Finding what works for you to relieve stress is key."

Additionally, Ronit points out environmental toxins—such as BPA, phthalates, and glyphosate—as significant fertility blockers, recommending measures like using air filters and avoiding plastics.

Ronit [23:42]: "One of the things a lot of people could do is eliminate environmental toxins... we're living in a toxic soup."

Debunking Common Fertility Myths

The episode tackles several myths surrounding fertility:

1. Only Women Are Responsible for Fertility: As previously discussed, men play an equally crucial role.

2. Egg Quantity Equals Fertility: Ronit clarifies that egg quality, influenced by mitochondrial health, is equally important.

   Vida [42:35]: "Men cannot help have kids at any age... there's an increased chance of developmental challenges as paternal age increases."

3. Chronological Age vs. Biological Age: The guests differentiate between chronological age and biological age, advocating for a focus on overall health rather than just age metrics.

   Vida [17:39]: "Biological age should give you the confidence to put some of that nonsense aside."

4. Healthy Lifestyle Guarantees Fertility: They argue that even those who appear healthy might have underlying issues, urging deeper investigation into fertility challenges.

   Vida [18:51]: "Our food is not as nutritious as it once was... supplementation is important, even if you're eating clean."

WeNatal’s Prenatal Solutions

WeNatal's approach to combating the fertility crisis is meticulously designed, incorporating:

• Comprehensive Nutrient Profile: Their prenatal supplements contain 24 key nutrients in bioavailable forms, such as 400 mg of choline, which many other prenatals lack.

  Ronit [53:19]: "We have 24 key nutrients in it. Some prenatals on the market don't have choline at all."

• Partner Inclusion: Encouraging both partners to take prenatal supplements to optimize fertility for both.

• Holistic Health Support: Beyond supplements, WeNatal offers resources like fertility journals and guides to support mental and spiritual well-being during the fertility journey.

• Community Support: They emphasize the importance of a supportive community and accessible expert advice.

Vida [56:48]: "You can email us anytime. Care@wenatal.com... we're here for all the questions."

Recommendations and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Ronit and Vida provide actionable recommendations for listeners seeking to enhance their fertility:

1. Start Early: Begin fertility optimization at least three to six months before attempting to conceive.

2. Comprehensive Testing: Utilize advanced fertility tests to identify potential issues, including environmental toxin exposure.

3. Supplement Wisely: Invest in high-quality prenatal vitamins that cover all essential nutrients in effective dosages.

4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular but moderate exercise, ensure ample sleep, and manage stress effectively.

5. Involve Both Partners: Recognize and support the role of both partners in the fertility process.

6. Seek Professional Guidance: Work with trusted healthcare practitioners who understand holistic fertility approaches.

Ronit [37:00]: "What you should do is take a high-quality prenatal that has folate, not folic acid... putting your partner on a prenatal goes without saying."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with heartfelt gratitude towards Ronit and Vida for their contributions to addressing America's fertility crisis through WeNatal. Courtney emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility, community support, and comprehensive health strategies in overcoming fertility challenges.

Courtney Swan [58:35]: "Thank you so much for what you're doing to make America fertile again."

Key Takeaways:

• Fertility is a shared responsibility: Both partners' health significantly impacts fertility.

• Holistic Approach: Addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental factors is crucial for enhancing fertility.

• Quality Supplements Matter: Investing in comprehensive, bioavailable prenatal vitamins can make a substantial difference.

• Debunking Myths: Understanding the true factors affecting fertility helps in making informed decisions.

• Community and Support: Building a supportive network and seeking professional guidance are essential steps in the fertility journey.

This episode serves as an essential resource for anyone navigating the complexities of fertility, offering both emotional support and practical strategies to foster a healthy pregnancy.