← Realfoodology
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- [00:02]
A
On today's episode of the Real Foodology.
- [00:03]
B
Podcast, my body is prioritizing survival over fertility. Yeah. And now I have to just change my body to be like, no, like, we are in a safe place and like, we can procreate and I'm not forcing my body to do something that it clearly is not ready to do.
- [00:16]
A
Yeah.
- [00:16]
B
So it gives me a lot of peace in my journey that I'm not like, in that desperate mode where I'm like, I need to force a baby right now. Yeah. Like, I can really just like, live and, like, enjoy, you know?
- [00:27]
A
Hello, friends. Welcome back to another episode of the Real Foodology podcast. Today's guest is a repeat guest and also a dear friend of mine, ILI Bala. You probably know her on Instagram as healthily. Towards the end, we talk about her fertility journey. So you're definitely going to want to stick around for that. And yeah, she's just amazing. I love Illy so much and we just had so much fun recording this, so I hope you enjoy the episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. If you're loving the podcast, if you could take a moment to rate and review. It really does help the show a lot and it takes about 2 seconds. Also, if you are enjoying this particular episode and you want to tag me ealfoodology and tag healthily, that's health. I L L I E please do so. We'd love to see your tags and we would love to repost you, so I hope you enjoy the episode. Thanks, y'. All. This was a long episode, so we split this into two parts. This is part two. Like many of us, I'm eating healthier. And that's why I love good olive oil. And by good, I mean fresh olive oil packs the most flavor and healthiest nutrients when it's fresh from the farm. And that's the problem with supermarket olive oils. They're not fresh. They can sit on the shelf for many months, growing stale. That's why I get my olive oil direct from small, award winning farms, thanks to a fellow named T.J. robinson, also known as the Olive oil hunter. When I tasted TJ's farm fresh oils, I fell in love with their vibrant, grassy flavors. They are incredibly delicious on salad, veggies, pasta, meat, fish, you name it. They also make great gifts. As an introduction to his fresh pressed Olive Oil Club, TJ is willing to send you a full size 39 bottle of one of the world's finest artisanal olive oils fresh from the new harvest for just $1 to help him cover Shipping and there's no commitment to buy anything ever, now or ever. Get your free $39 bottle for just $1 shipping and taste the difference. Freshest makes go to getfresh324.com that's getfresh324.com for a free bottle and just pay $1 in shipping. One of my absolute favorite cooking fats is beef tallow. And the one that I trust is from Lineage Provisions. Their tallow is wet, rendered at low temperatures, which keeps all the good stuff intact. And it has a clean, buttery flavor that's nothing like the burnt or waxy stuff in most store bought versions. We use it constantly. Roasted potatoes, fried eggs, sauteed veggies, steak, even salmon. It's seriously one of the most versatile and nourishing fats in my kitchen. Lineage doesn't cut any corners. Their tallow is triple filtered, shelf stable and totally free from weird additives. They also lab tested their tallow against conventional brands and they found huge differences over three times more omega 3s, 60% less omega 6s, which is huge. These are the fats that cause inflammation when we consume too much of them. Higher CLA plus rare fats like C15 and C17 linked to longevity, metabolic health and reduced inflammation. And here's why. Their cows are pastured their entire lives. Not just grass fed, but truly regenerative. It's the best possible life for the animal and it creates the best possible fat for your body. Go to lineage provisions.com and use the code real foodology for 10% off. I can't wait for you guys to become hooked like I am. Use code real foodology for 10% off. So this is what's so crazy about all this is like we have all these people fighting us. Clearly the system is broken. I mean, 74% of Americans are obese. 50% of American children are obese. 77% of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24, I believe are ineligible for military service. And then we have all these people online that are fighting us all every step of the way as we're trying to make changes. The thing is, we are in such a mess right now, y'.
- [04:15]
B
All.
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A
We are not going to change all this overnight.
- [04:17]
B
No. We might even see it, to be honest. We might even see it in our lifetime.
- [04:20]
A
No. Which is really crazy.
- [04:22]
B
Wake me from the dead resuscitate. Put me in ice like they did Disney Austin Powers.
- [04:29]
A
Just freeze us and bring us back.
- [04:30]
B
Bring me back for if I get come back for anything, it's going to be that like just bring me back so I could see the health revolution come to. Yeah, I don't think that's the thing is it's going to be such a slow process. And to be honest, if the next four years don't like radically change people's minds about health and like how we can really improve the health of our nation, then I don't think the four years after are going to be of like support of that. Like this could actually be the only four years we see something like this, you know, and like I don't think people realize that. So like all these people getting their freaking non organic panties in a bunch don't realize that they're probably like this might be the last four years if we don't actually. I don't see another, you know, change happening if we don't have people this passionate, you know, like, no, that's what's scary about it. And people don't realize that it's actually so much harder than what they think it is. You know.
- [05:22]
A
And what's so crazy is a lot of this could literally change overnight. Like we just put some policies in place and we get some of these additives out. Maybe we start following some of the science that you have to rework the system.
- [05:32]
B
If we keep banning certain additives, guess what? Brands have to change and they have to rework a system. If those brands even want to survive in the industries that they're in right now. Like all these kids on, you know, even like I was looking at. Because you can look up the wic, like how like women and children get. They have like their own like food stamps kind of and you can look it up per state. You're not even allowed me on, on those types of food stamps. Really. And imagine like a mother with children, like you have to use your own money to buy meat. But you know, it is on there. Every cereal you could think of. Yeah.
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A
And probably Doritos. All the chips.
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B
Yeah. All this like other garbage. And it's like that's so sad because especially as like we know especially like maternal in especially low income communities is like nothing is practically nothing. Like it's just so understudied in general women's health. And then on top of that, it's not even to not even put any type of protein for like a postpartum mother. Yeah, no, that is a crime.
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A
It's literally criminal.
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B
No, it's like it's the most disgusting. So I looked up the one in Florida and it was, it was so I'll have to send it to you. It was so sad. It was pathetic, honestly, to see some of the foods that there's barely even food. It's like most of it. There was a. Half the page was cereal, of course. Half the page was cereal. And obviously big name brands. Of course. And then a lot of it was obviously canned food, which makes sense. Canned food and frozen foods can be great, you know, but like, to not have any type of meat on there.
- [06:57]
A
Well, but, Ellie, they're getting all their vitamins and minerals from the fortified cereal.
- [07:00]
B
Oh, my God. Yeah, you're totally right. Yeah, I forgot about that. Reading my script. Oh, yes. That Mr. Kellogg gave me. The science says, yes, artificial dyes are part of a nutritious. That's how you know I was kidnapped. Yes, artificial dyes are part of a nutritious breakfast and lunch and now dinner.
- [07:21]
A
There will be signs if you get kidnapped.
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B
Yeah, there will be signs of anyone's curious.
- [07:25]
A
Oh, that's so funny. Okay, so I want to talk about. There is this. There is this, like. I don't even want to call it a movement, but there is a thing happening online that I know is driving you and I bonkers. This obsession with. In everything.
- [07:40]
B
Oh, my gosh.
- [07:42]
A
And there's these two accounts. There's one specifically that's really doing it. Look, let me be very clear. Obviously, lead is something that you. That we should be concerned about. But the beef that I have with this account is she's only testing all of the healthy food brands.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Why? It almost feels like it's this. She's like a plant. Cuz. Have you noticed that I would love to see how much lead is in Doritos. Why aren't we only going after the healthy foods? And then. Everyone is so obsessed now. Every single time I post about hue chocolate, my DMs.
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B
Oh, my God, so flooded.
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A
I can't. I don't even open them anymore. Anytime I post about Hue and then I get. I see. I have all these dms, I just see, like, lead, lead, and I'm like, I'm not even gonna open that.
- [08:25]
B
Yeah. I think it's funny because we already have people who are scared to eat kale and spinach because you have the carnivore people that are like, you're gonna die from the oxalates and you're gonna. You can't eat a vegetable. And like, we already have that. And then we have. Now another thing that we have to worry about. It's like, I'll give you a thousand dollars to Just test spinach and tell me how much like heavy metals are in a leaf of spinach. Because it's a lot.
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A
Yeah.
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B
And spinach is a freaking superfood. Like you should be eating all your veggies. The thing is, is that like heavy metals live in the soil. Just in the soil. Like that's where we've had heavy metals since the beginning of time. But the one thing that I always realize about these like, brands in general is like these people in general is they never talk about the synergy of like how, like how nature works and how minerals work. Like literally synergistically. Like for example, tuna is very high in mercury, but it's also very high in selenium and selenium helps push out the mercury so you actually don't get poisoned by the tuna. Like our bodies are so smart and nature was made perfectly. So that's why you're going to see a lot of heavy metals and more natural protein powders and protein bars and like more naturally created supplements and foods because they, that's just how synergistically minerals and heavy metals work together. Like, I don't know. Did you do your function health? Yeah, I did my functional health and I did an HTMA last year. Like my lead, arsenic, heavy metals are all so low, consuming a lot of the things that they say I shouldn't be eating because I'm gonna die from lead poisoning. Like if that's it, honestly, if I die from lead poisoning from chocolate, put it on my gravestone. Like, just do it honestly. Because like if that's really how I die, it was meant to be. Because the fact that they give zero education around why heavy metals exist, it's not always pesticides. Like again, I, I work with manufacturers, I have products, I've seen hundreds of heavy metal analysis. Like I promise you, if we had a heavy metal, a heavy metal analysis for every fruit and vegetable out there, people would have nothing to eat, we'd have nothing to eat. I'm not saying it's like it's not a thing, it's definitely a thing, but it's just these people hyper fixate on this one thing. And to be honest, it like, it's not something that most people should even need to worry about or it's going to affect them. Go and get your heavy. Go, go, go get your metals tested.
- [10:46]
A
Well, that's what I do it.
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B
I just got mine. Mine were below zero.
- [10:49]
A
Me too. Mine are fine.
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B
The body is so smart. Imagine we all got poisoned by like things like protein powder. We'd we'd cease to exist.
- [10:56]
A
Exactly.
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B
Especially with how many garbage brands are out there. You know what I'm saying? Yes.
- [11:00]
A
Be dealing with it.
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B
The faker the food. The less heavy metals most of the time usually the more people but the less heavy metals. Like a Doritos probably going to test low because there's no real food in it.
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A
That's true. Because it's all the processing. Exactly. Like exactly.
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B
There's usually as more PFAs because. Because of the process.
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A
So it's like processing.
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B
Yeah.
- [11:18]
A
Yeah. So I feel like just don't guess test. So just get your blood work done every year and then if it is high because look like we're not minimizing it. Like for example people do get high mercury from eating a lot of tuna. Like I literally have a friend that was just eating non stop tuna all day and literally got and who's really high levels of mercury. But also she was eating an insane amount of tuna.
- [11:39]
B
And you also have to look at the. Yeah, you also have to look at the rest of the diet. Like. Right. Like what other types of. But then it's crazy too because then you have like Mediterranean countries and even Asian countries where a majority of their food is seafood. Yeah. And they're not, you know, so it's like what else are they consuming that's help mitigating the heavy metals? Like we cannot look at food and nutrition through a freaking straw. You know, like we just cannot do that. That's like what you're doing by looking at food based on their heavy metal content. I know. Like we forget all the nutrition that's involved in a lot of these foods and that a lot of foods are just made perfectly, you know. And yeah, obviously if you're like butt chugging tuna all day, you're maybe going to get heavy metal like a little bit higher mercury. But she's not going to die from it. You know, like there are ways to mitigate these things. Making sure you're detox pathways are open. Like yeah, I'm somebody. I went through a phase of eating a lot of tuna. I've never had like I've never had an issue and that was literally when I did my function health and I had tests for like lead and mercury. I didn't have anything. Like it's not like I'm getting poisoned by it, you know. And yeah, it's just. It's one of those things. And honestly if you're following a page that's causing more fear in you, like you every time you leave that page, you leave with less things to eat.
- [12:47]
A
Yeah.
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B
Probably shouldn't follow that page. Yes. You know, like, I'm not trying to.
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A
Like, I. I mean, I had to unfollow those posts. Yeah.
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B
I mean, I'm sure you get people, too, in your things where. Like, in your. Like I said, in your DMs, where you post chocolate and everyone's like. But then in the same breath, if you say that you don't eat ultra processed foods, you're like, oh, my God, I can't believe you don't eat ultra processed food. But then people are afraid of heavy metals and chocolate.
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A
No, it is. It's so crazy backwards. I can't. It's.
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B
I mean, you can't win. Honestly, you can't win.
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A
And also, I literally do not have the bandwidth to be obsessing over all of this. I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna go audit my pantry and ch every little thing that I eat that has lead in it.
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B
No. And also, my biological age is 17, so.
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A
Thank you.
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B
I'm only getting.
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A
Let's go, girl.
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B
Hey, yo, we're just getting started. You know, like, I'm fresh out of the womb. Yeah. I can't even get into the club, so.
- [13:37]
A
Y' all sneaky. I'll give you my fake id.
- [13:39]
B
Thank you, Queen. Yeah, like, I just. It's. Yeah. Like, I'm clear. I'm healthy. You're healthy?
- [13:45]
A
Yes.
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B
Like, I. I'm healthier now at 31 than I was at 21. Like, period. And I was eating way more junk, and I definitely didn't care about heavy metals. And, like, I don't know, I just. I just think it's one of those things where if you're leaving a page and it's leaving you with more stress and more anxiety and less things to eat, are you really becoming healthier?
- [14:06]
A
Yeah.
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B
You know, the average person isn't dying from lead poisoning. No, no. We're dying because we're not eating enough protein. We're not moving enough. We're not eating enough fiber, we're not eating enough real foods. Like, we're not getting sun. We're, like, sedentary. Like. Yeah. That's why we're dying.
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A
Yeah. Those are the hard hitters. Those are the issues. That's what we should be worried about.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Not having your blood tested and you do have high lead, then that's a time and a place to audit. And then you go, okay, where am I getting high amounts of lead? And then that would be helpful.
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B
You probably have A higher risk of getting lead if you, like, live near a construction site or, like, lead paint or something.
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A
Like lead pipes.
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B
Yeah. Like, you know, there's so many other things, even mold. Like, people struggle with mold today. And I live in Florida, so it's, like, a big issue down here. And, like, we're always getting our house checked for mold and stuff. And that's, like, another thing people have to worry about is, you know, that type of also, like, physical exposure, it's not always from food. Like. Yeah. What is around you that's also exposing you to these heavy metals. And how do we become more resilient to the things that we cannot control? You know? Like, I can't control every little thing. Like, I'm not gonna go ask when I go to a restaurant, like, is there heavy metals in here? Like, I don't. I don't even think they know, you know? But, like, if something's just, like, a real whole food, I'm not stressing about it, you know? Like, that's what I can control, and that's it. And then I do my regular blood work and testing, and it's part of my routine of, like, maintaining my body. Just, like, you get your car checked every year, you get your health checked every year. Like, do basic blood work, get a Dutch test, see how you're doing. I don't know. Check your gut if there's anything off, and just use it as, like, a biomarker for yourself. Like, every year. Like, okay, this is what I'm gonna do. That's my birthday treat to myself. Like, I've literally had people pitching money for me to get testing. Like, that's the type of girl I am, you know? Like, that's like. That's like, I got an air doctor for my. For Christmas.
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A
I love it. You know, I always ask for, like.
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B
Yeah, get me something. Get me a gift card to get my stool tested. That's what I want. Yeah. I need a GI map, so give me money. Thank you.
- [16:01]
A
Send in your poop.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Please mail your poop in.
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B
Yeah. I tell my husband all the time. I was like, the amount of. Like, I hope my mailman doesn't find me on social media, because the amount of bodily fluid that he's had to transport for me.
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A
You don't want to make eye contact?
- [16:17]
B
No. Like, this poor man, I give him an extra bonus for Christmas. Give a little something in the mailbox.
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A
He's like, wow, there's a lot of human messing packages in here.
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B
Hair, poop, blood. Like, so many things. Have gone in my mailbox. Like, I need to put a camera in there. Like, yeah, it's. It's a disgrace. But that's like. That's like basic human hygiene at this point, you know? And that's like, I love brands, honestly, like, function, like, making it more, like, accessible for people. Because to get all that blood work.
- [16:46]
A
It would be so expensive.
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B
Oh, my God. I know. Yeah. 500 for the year and you get two rounds. Yes. That's, like, unheard of. I tell everybody, honestly, to sign up if you can't afford, like, working with a coach. But yeah, yeah, that's, like, basic for me now, like, to just go and get. Make sure my. Honestly, vitamin D levels.
- [17:03]
A
Exactly.
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B
Yearly. You should be getting your vitamin D levels checked. You know, that's just vitamin energy.
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A
All of. Exactly.
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B
You know, and it does all of that. So it's just. That's like, basic human hygiene. And people are so. I think the biggest thing that people are afraid of is, like, what they don't know. So it's like, if you're never getting your health checked, you don't know. Like, I. Yeah, there was a point in time where I was like, okay, like, oh, my God, are these heavy metals, like, really affecting me? Like, I do consume a lot of protein powder. Blah, blah. And then once I actually started seeing, like, what's actually going on in my body, I'm like, oh, yeah, you're like, I'm good. Oh, okay. I'm freaking chilling. Like, I'm 17. Like, I have the whole. My whole life to live. Why am I concerned? Yeah, it just got started, you know? But, yeah, that's what I think about. Like, people don't know what's actually going on in their body. If you're that concerned, get tested. Exactly.
- [17:48]
A
Which brings me to my next question, actually, because you've been on a fertility journey.
- [17:52]
B
Yeah.
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A
What are the tests that you recommend people getting? Because I know. Well, one, a lot of women are dealing with infertility right now, unfortunately. And I've done so many podcasts about that, so we don't need to talk about why.
- [18:02]
B
Yeah.
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A
But I think the biggest disservice that we're doing for women right now is that if you struggle at all, they just almost immediately just throw you on IVF instead of actually having a conversation with you about things that you could be testing and rocks to look under, essentially. Like, where to shine the light under things.
- [18:19]
B
Yeah. I mean, I've. It's been like, a year for me, and it's so crazy because I Got to a point, the worst mindset to be in when you're going through any type of just health issue is, like, getting to the point of desperation because then you're kind of like, at the will of whatever your doctor says, you know? And I got to that point because I really thought I was going to be pregnant by the end of 2024. And I'm like, if I'm not pregnant by the end of 24 and I want a baby and I'm gonna go to a fertility clinic and I'm just gonna, like, figure it out and blah, blah, blah. And I remember I. I did exactly that. I went in the end of January and I went in. I literally had the most horrible, like, experience with my fertility doctor. She just pretty much age shamed me. She was like, oh, you're 31. Like, blah, blah, blah, at 31.
- [19:04]
A
And she.
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B
It's so funny because she was so shocked to see my AMH was in perfect range because your AMH is your ovarian reserve. And she just assumed I was going to be, like, decrepit and like, my ovaries are already raisins. And I'm like, baby girl, you' seen my biological age. I'll never let that go, actually, by the way. So just getting started, but yeah, like, she just automatically assumed. And then when all my markers were coming back, she's like, oh, like, this is really good. And, like, this is, like, in perfect range. And I'm like, yeah, I'm a healthy 31 year old. Like, she was just kind of shocked. So she kind of put her own foot in her mouth when it came to that.
- [19:38]
A
That's amazing.
- [19:39]
B
You know, and then they do basic, right? So like, every fertility clinic, at least what I know is they'll run like, physical exam, like an HSG and an sis, which checks to make sure, like, everything's open, right? Like, like, because, yeah, you're not going to get pregnant if your tubes are blocked. And then they'll do a sperm analysis, like an initial sperm analysis, and then your. Your day three lab. So it's checking your FSH and your LH and your estradiol. And then I think they. Oh, then genetic testing, and they check for, like, STIs and stuff, which, like, all. So all of that came back perfect for me, which was great. Like, tubes are open, great, amazing. And then they kind of just want to get you on, like, immediately after my first meeting with her, before I did any tests, she sent me into a room to talk about payment plans for ivf.
- [20:25]
A
Oh, my God.
- [20:26]
B
Like, my first appointment and my husband and I. Yeah. She's like, oh, like, we're going to talk about payment plans. So you're already assuming this is what I need? Well, you just told me, like, a lot of my blood work looks great and, like, high and dandy. And now all my testing is coming back phenomenal. Okay. Just so you know, just so everyone knows, I have a gold star.
- [20:45]
A
Yeah.
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B
I have an A plus uterus. That's what I was told. And yeah, so that was a. So that was shocking to me. And I'm always. I'm grateful that I did. I had a lot of testing before, so she was kind of shocked to see how much I've done. And she was like, oh, like, these tests, like, don't really say, like, show anything.
- [21:03]
A
Like, okay.
- [21:04]
B
I'm like, all right, ma'. Am. So what I would suggest, somebody who is going through any type of fertility. To be honest, it's sad that they tell women to wait a year to even get any testing. That's just like. Like a bullshit. Like they kind of just kind of make it up because it's like the statistic of, like, most people will get, like, pregnant within a year. But the thing is, is, like, why aren't they getting pregnant sooner? You know, like, you shouldn't have to wait a year, especially as you're, like, older. Especially if you're like, over 30. They'll push IVF within six months of not getting pregnant, which is crazy because they're like, there's no optimization. So the first thing I would do is I would do like a full on thyroid panel. I did one, like, well before, so I already knew, like, my thyroid was a little bit on, like, the sluggish side, but it's always been within optimal range. And I've always managed it really well. So I'm, like, grateful for that. A full thyroid panel because thyroid issues and baby uses up a lot of thyroid hormone and it's like one of the biggest causes for miscarriage. So you've been kind of like, on the border of that. It's really important to get your thyroid checked. 100 recommend a Dutch test. Oh, my God. To see how your adrenals are functioning, how you're metabolizing different hormones. That's so important. My fertility clinic and my ob GYN completely dropped the ball with me because my progesterone was in great range, but I had a luteal phase deficiency. So my progesterone wasn't, like, optimal throughout my luteal phase. Which impacts implantation. My fertility clinic did not bring that up and neither did my ob gyn. I found that out through my functional practitioner via my Dutch test. That's which my fertility clinic said the Dutch test is useless and doesn't show anything, of course. So I'm glad that I did the Dutch test and I recommend that to everybody. You can also do a, like, a full metabolic panel. It's usually through the OAT test to see, like, what your metabolism is doing, because that's really important during pregnancy. Also, it's like you're running a marathon, like, every day during pregnancy. So that's really important. We also did a GI map, a stool test, because you. Your baby inherits your microbiome, and there's like, a lot of things that go along with that. And actually also a vaginal microbiome test.
- [23:14]
A
Oh, yeah, there's that one. What is that?
- [23:16]
B
Urea? Plasma?
- [23:17]
A
Yes.
- [23:18]
B
So actually turns out I don't have that. But apparently you can still have a dysbiosis in your vagina, just like as you would in your gut, which can impair nutrient absorption and it can also impair sperm swimming optimally. So I didn't know that and I found that out through I did the evvy. It's E, V, V, Y. And apparently if you have like, a different, like, ph affects sperm. So if you have a higher ph or a lower pH that can affect if the sperm even makes it to the egg at all. And these are all that can impair just conception in general that my fertility clinic never told me about. So those are a couple tests I always recommend. I honestly like Function Health, really did a lot of them. Also check your leptin. My leptin ended up being really low. And your leptin is your satiating hormone, which he thinks has, like, nothing to do with fertility, but it actually, like, really handles reproductive signaling.
- [24:12]
A
Oh, I didn't know that.
- [24:13]
B
Actually, it's so interesting.
- [24:14]
A
No, like, leptin and ghrelin is like the hunger.
- [24:17]
B
Yeah. And I'm like, what is my leptin have to do with. With having a baby? And apparently your leptin also helps with reproductive signaling. So if you have low leptin, like I do. And again, my fertility clinic never mentioned leptin. My functional practitioner did. And thank God I got it tested. Because if your leptin is low, usually see high leptin with pcos, low leptin, so you don't really have an appetite as much, so it makes it harder to get in a lot of nutrients. But low leptin will signal to your reproductive system that we don't have enough energy to create.
- [24:48]
A
Oh, to create a baby.
- [24:49]
B
Create any, like, energy in general.
- [24:51]
A
Wow, that's so fascinating.
- [24:52]
B
And a lot of women never get tested for leptin when they're going through infertility or anything. Like, even if you're like, having a hard time to conceive. Like, it's one of those tests that really opened my eyes because I didn't even know. I've always heard of high leptin because of pcos. And again, I don't have pcos. My leptin's very low. It's actually like, not even that low. It's like just borderline on the lower side. But it's definitely something that now I have like a protocol where I can actually improve. And what's crazy is I was doing a little digging and if you have very low leptin, your body's telling you we don't even have energy to like, create a baby or anything. Like, I would be going through multiple, like, failed IUI and IVF because I'd be forcing my body to create something doesn't have energy for.
- [25:31]
A
Whoa. Yeah, that's interesting.
- [25:32]
B
And they were so ready to put me on ivf. Like, they were so ready.
- [25:37]
A
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- [29:37]
B
Drink.
- [29:37]
A
To try the superfood golden milk today, go to paleovalley.com realfoodology and you will save 15 off when you use code real foodology. Again, that's paleovalley.com real foodology. Well, and another one too that I would add on. And I don't want to just completely bombard people, but you know, if people are really looking for answers and a lot of their doctors are not telling them this, I think it's good to do a toxin test, the environmental toxins test, because a lot of people are being exposed to high levels of glyphosate and phthalates and BPA and all could really impair sperm.
- [30:10]
B
And like for you and your partner and also like an autoimmune panel. Yes. I'm not saying you have to do all of these, but like, but if you're really struggling. Yeah, I think. And also for me, I did a lot of more like acute testing because a lot of my blood work is great. Like, I'm like very healthy individual. Like, my insulin was great, my fasting glucose was great. Like, I don't have any pcos, I don't have endometriosis. Like, I'm a very conventionally healthy, healthy person. So I had to do a lot more acute testing when I wasn't getting that like pregnancy test. Right. Like off the rip. But now in hindsight, I'm grateful because now I have all this extra knowledge that I wouldn't have previously known and now I can obviously help other people. But like, even autoimmune conditions, I have another friend who's in the wellness space and she was just saying how her fertility clinic told her that her autoimmune problem has nothing to do with her not conceiving. I don't. And I'm like, at all. You literally, your immune system is literally attacking itself. Yeah. Yeah. Well, how is that not affecting fertility?
- [31:02]
A
Yeah, that is crazy.
- [31:04]
B
That's a head scratcher.
- [31:05]
A
That is. I'm literally scratching my Head.
- [31:08]
B
Yeah. I was really confused about that. But, yeah, there's so many things that I've learned, and I feel like now that I have a plan, I feel so much better about everything. I. I don't have that pressure on me. Like, oh, my God, my body's broken. No, my literally. My literally, my body is prioritizing survival over fertility.
- [31:22]
A
Yeah.
- [31:22]
B
And now I have to just change my body to be like, no. Like, we are in a safe place, and, like, we can procreate, and I'm not forcing my body to do something that it clearly is not ready to die. Do.
- [31:31]
A
Yeah.
- [31:31]
B
So it gives me a lot of peace in my journey that I'm not, like, in that desperate mode where I'm like, I need to force a baby right now. Like, I can really just, like, live and, like, enjoy, you know?
- [31:41]
A
Exactly. And look, I can't imagine that it's easy. In fact, I know that it's been really hard on you, I think, knowing that you're super healthy.
- [31:49]
B
Yeah.
- [31:50]
A
You've done all the testing, and you've done everything. I do really believe, like, I'm pretty spiritual, and I feel like there's at a time and a place, and we have a plan and God, the universe, whatever you want to call it. I'm not making this religious. I'm just saying in general that, like, there's a greater plan that you may not see right now.
- [32:06]
B
Oh, for sure.
- [32:07]
A
That's unfolding for you.
- [32:08]
B
Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't even have this type of insight if everything didn't happen the way that it happened.
- [32:13]
A
Yeah.
- [32:13]
B
And I'm really, like. I really feel so grateful that I have the knowledge. And, like, it's funny because I actually went to a, like, spiritual kind of, like, healer, like, a couple months ago, and she. I didn't want to hear it, but she pretty much told me she was like. She goes, if you got pregnant, like, last year when you first started trying, like, that would have been too easy for you. Like, you wouldn't have had the wisdom that you have now that you needed to go through. Because it's like, I've always believed that my higher purpose, and I'm sure you feel the same way, is, like, just helping people. Right. Like, I feel like I do have this greater purpose in life. Yeah. And also, like, at the same time, I just feel like, like, people also don't understand. I don't believe that fertility is a health marker. Like, we see people that are, you know, on drugs and morbidly obese and undernourished. Getting pregnant every single day, People on the streets. Yeah. And like, it's so funny because, like, if you under eat, your leptin's low, and then your body's like, I don't have energy for a pregnancy. But then you have people who are homeless that get zero nutrition. They get pregnant with no. No issue. Right? Yeah. And it's just like, there is also, like, just the genetic factor where you and I can eat the same way. And for some reason, I get acne. And it like, my health problems manifest as acne. Maybe your health problems manifest as, like, infertility. Yeah, it just manifests differently for people. And also there's so many implications of getting pregnant when you aren't healthy. And it just also says a lot about. Sometimes people are in such chronic survival mode that their body literally cannot tell if it's safe or not. So they're able to just have a baby even in the most stressful situations, because their body doesn't know the difference between safe and survival. Cause they've always kind of been in survival. That's like, another thing to think about when it comes to, like. Cause like, comparison just destroys you during that whole phase. Cause you're like, how are all these people that are like, like, treating their. They're like, my baby was built on McDonald's. And I'm like, oh, I love that for you.
- [34:04]
A
You're like, I'm over here literally sending my. In the mail.
- [34:07]
B
Yeah. Like, I, you know, like, I know people who are like, I was drinking up until 10 weeks. And you're like, oh, I love that for you. And I'm here. Like, I gave up alcohol four years ago. Okay. I haven't felt joy since. I'm just kidding. But, you know, like, first off, giving up alcohol is the best thing I've ever done. But yeah, it's just like, one of those things that's so easy to compare. But, like, people get pregnant unhealthy all the time. Do I actually want that for myself? You know what I'm saying? Like, do I want that type of environment for myself? No. I feel like I've always had greater purpose outside of motherhood. And I do believe in my heart that I would be blessed with children. And I think I had to get to this point of, like, understanding the system better. And it's like, I'm literally healthily because I went through the suffering and hardship of, like, chronic disorder, like, chronic symptoms, you know, like, I wouldn't be who I am today. So, like, I'm curious. Like, I'm I'm excited to see who I'm going to be like, like, on the other side of this. Cuz I do believe that in my heart. I also, like, always told myself I kind of jinxed myself. I was like, I'm not having kids till I'm 30. And now God's like, really testing me. He's like, what about 32? You know, like, how about a little longer? So, yeah, it's just one of those things where, like, yeah, like, I do. I hated hearing that when I was in the midst of it. Like, oh, like, it'll make sense, but, like, it really does make sense now, you know, I love it. I love to love to talk about it.
- [35:22]
A
Well, thank you so much for sharing that because I think that will help a lot of people. And that really is a great point. And it is one of those things when you're in the moment, you're really in the thick of it.
- [35:29]
B
Yeah. I don't want to hear, like, shit.
- [35:30]
A
There's a greater purpose. You're like, literally while they're pregnant and.
- [35:32]
B
You'Re like, shut the.
- [35:34]
A
Shut up. I don't want to hear it.
- [35:36]
B
Shut up, Stacy.
- [35:38]
A
But it is true, though. Like, once you get onto the other side of that, you're like, oh, wow.
- [35:42]
B
Yeah.
- [35:42]
A
All of this had a plan and a purpose.
- [35:44]
B
Yeah. I would have never known. And, you know, I'm like, just like you. I'm an educator and I've. I've helped people through my own journey every single time. And if I got pregnant a year ago, when I first, like, the first time, you know, like, I would have never learned all this stuff about how corrupt the fertility system is. I could do like a whole freaking episode just on how corrupt it is. And like, how they. A lot of them, unfortunately, really prey on the desperation of couples. They know, couples will pay anything, like, by anything, like $40,000.
- [36:15]
A
Yeah.
- [36:16]
B
I just came across a video of a girl who said she always. She was on A. Her 12th IVF cycle.
- [36:20]
A
That's so much.
- [36:21]
B
That should be a crime.
- [36:22]
A
That should literally be a crime that.
- [36:23]
B
Like, that doctor should be arrested.
- [36:25]
A
And no one's probably sitting down and talking with her about the tests that she should be doing about her health. Blood work.
- [36:30]
B
Yeah. And that's really sad. And I had somebody else, I was talking about fertility and somebody was like. Because I was like, oh, it's very expensive. And they're like, oh, my insurance covers four rounds of IVF a year. I'm like, that's a lot of rounds. And that should be Extremely concerning to you. If you need four rounds of IVF and you're not doing anything in between or your doctor's not encouraging you. You to look a little bit deeper and, like, figure out. Because first off, like, the fact that it's not 100% is a big factor, right? Like, why isn't it. If it's not 100, because of, like, autoimmune or whatever. Why aren't we testing for that? Why aren't we increasing people's chances so they only have to do it once, if at all.
- [37:06]
A
Exactly right. Like, why are we doing that, money maker? It's why they're not. Because they have no incentive to do that. Because for them, it's a bonus. Oh, you have to come back again. Oh, that's another 20k for us. So, yeah, it's.
- [37:17]
B
It's a lot of money. I mean, I saw the numbers. Like, I went in there, and it's so funny because, like, my husband and I were just, like, chuckling because the guy who came into the office to, like, give us, like, the papers and the pamphlets I use, probably fresh out of college, and I'm like, this guy's really gonna teach me on, like, what my payment plans are, sir. Like, that's amazing. Like, where. Like, where's the professionalism? It's so, like, they don't give a shit.
- [37:38]
A
Like, because they know everyone. Like you said, everybody's that's in there is in a vulnerable, terrible position. They're desperate.
- [37:45]
B
I've never been more. More. Yeah. And this is somebody. This is coming from somebody who, like, everybody, like, people just think, like, we hate science. Like, no, I gave it a shot more. I gave it more than a shot than I probably should have, and it was just horrible. And I'm sure there's amazing, like, more holistic IVF places out there. And I just didn't have that experience. But from the comments that I've been receiving when I share about my journey, a lot of women have the very same experience. They're like, my doctor didn't tell me about that test. My doctor didn't mention leptin. My doctor didn't said my husband's sperm was perfect. And, like, I look at the thing, and I'm like, no, it's not. Like, what are we talking about here? Like, she didn't even give a. About his sperm.
- [38:23]
A
I just had an episode come out literally today with the we natal women. And they.
- [38:26]
B
They're the best.
- [38:29]
A
So good. When they were struggling, the whole reason they started their company is because they found out that I don't remember the exact percentage, but it's actually a very high percentage. That it's actually the male.
- [38:39]
B
Yeah.
- [38:39]
A
That's having the issue.
- [38:40]
B
Yeah.
- [38:40]
A
But if you go through this whole process, you can sometimes go through the entire process and they don't even test or even look at the male. Male.
- [38:46]
B
Yeah.
- [38:46]
A
And everything gets blamed on the woman.
- [38:47]
B
Yeah. And I think the reason for that is, like, if you think about ivf, Right. It's like, they just need one sperm. Yeah. That's it. Like, men make sperm all the time. So they're just like, we just need one of his sperm. Like, that's why his sperm wasn't even a concern for her. Because I was like, oh, like, what do you think is like, one of his, like, levels were, like, less than optimal. I think it was like. Like the motility or something like that. She's like, oh, it's fine. Like, he clearly has, like, plenty of sperm. Like, it wasn't a concern for her. Like, I was clearly the issue in the relationship.
- [39:15]
A
Yeah.
- [39:15]
B
And it was very concerning because I'm like, you're so. You're not going to do anything to improve it? And, like, it's so funny because I went to my acupuncturist and she put my husband on a protocol and we improved his for motility by literally 54.
- [39:27]
A
That's amazing.
- [39:28]
B
Like, in. Again, my fertility is not an issue. Why wouldn't I want to improve it?
- [39:32]
A
Why wouldn't you want to improve it?
- [39:33]
B
Not even, just like, the, like, anything, but like, just the quality in general. Like the DNA quality of life. Yeah. Genetics, the epigenetics. Like, like, even, like, they just. A study came out about how, like, the sperm also carries the stress of the father. So why wouldn't I want to improve his stress markers and, like, any type of autoimmune or, like, underlying oxidative stress. Like, why wouldn't I want to do that?
- [39:56]
A
Exactly.
- [39:56]
B
They don't even give women that option. Again, everything that I've learned about fertility and how to optimize my husband and I's fertility was not even through my fertility clinic.
- [40:04]
A
I mean, this is wild. And this is why so many people are struggling, because no one's. Not no one. But that largely these conversations are not being had with women in these fertility.
- [40:13]
B
And then people get upset that they listen to wellness influencers.
- [40:15]
A
Exactly.
- [40:15]
B
Then they get mad, circle away. And then they're mad at me. Like, what am I supposed to do? I'm just sharing what the hell I learned you know, trying to help.
- [40:21]
A
You really just want to help. That's it.
- [40:22]
B
Yeah. There's no harm in like just telling people that there's another, that there could be another way for you, you know?
- [40:28]
A
Exactly, exactly. And, and this is not harming people. Just going another path against the mainstream medical system is, I mean, look, I'm not saying no one can ever get harmed in that, but a lot of it is like, get more vitamin D O me take, get more sunlight. You know, it's not like you try it and doesn't work for you. Great. It's not like it's harming you, you know?
- [40:46]
B
Yeah. It's very low risk. Low risk health things that people can do. Yeah. Like low risk health improvements that aren't hurting anybody to do or take. And like, again, when people want to be credentialist and be like, what are your credentials? Like, I, I, technically I'm a health coach. I don't need any more credentials than that than just encourage people to eat well. Like, I'm not giving them meal plans. I'm anything crazy. Like, I'm not giving them a supplement protocol. Like, I'm just telling you to like, reduce. Yeah. Eat real food. Move your body.
- [41:21]
A
It's really simple.
- [41:22]
B
It's. Yeah, that's not like this crazy. But apparently you do need to be a doctor to just tell that. And they're not even doing it.
- [41:28]
A
And the doctors aren't even doing it.
- [41:29]
B
It's embarrassing. I'm embarrassed.
- [41:31]
A
I could literally talk to you about this for hours.
- [41:33]
B
Yeah.
- [41:34]
A
In the essence of time, I think we have to wrap this up and I'm sad because I want to talk more. I need to bring you back on. I want to come back, back and have another episode with you about your. I want to hear that full experience about everything with the fertility.
- [41:46]
B
Oh, my God. Yeah, it was a nightmare. But it's so good. No, honestly, it's fine. Like, I, it's, it's just one of those things where I, I'm someone that can't handle it. You know what I'm saying? Like, I know a lot of women that didn't come out more resilient through ivf. They came out more broken and disheartened and just like shells of themselves. And I get that because I see how hard it is. And I, I, again, I was like, pleading and I prayed so hard to, like, give me peace in this journey. And I know in my heart that I am somebody who can handle that type of really suffering. Like, honestly, like, I'm not Trying to be like, oh, my God, I'm so strong. But I really, like, I get so much out of what I do for a living. And I knew that there was gonna be a greater lesson underneath it all. Like, yes, it was very humbling being in that. I remember being in the fertility clinic and just being like, oh, my God, I hope nobody sees me. Blah, blah, blah. And then I'm like, wait, I'm gonna share about it anyway. Like, who fucking cares? Yeah. You know, like, that's just how I am. You know, we're like, not everybody's like that. And I get it. And it's very. I was in a very dark place, and it was very hard to go through. And it's been like, literally, it'll be like a year of us trying, like, in a. In, like two weeks. So it's like I'm wrapping up. And I thought I'd be in, like, a different headspace. And I'm actually like, I thought I'd be way worse than I am now. And now I'm like, I never thought I'd be, like, on a podcast, being like, yeah, guys, like, still not pregnant, but it's okay, you know? But, like, I feel really good. Cause I have, like, a real plan with my team, and I feel really good about it. And I. That's how I want women to feel on this journey. Like, I want them to be like, wow, I actually found out what was happening and I can move on from it and have a real action plan. The shit that they're not getting at these clinics. Clinics, you know?
- [43:29]
A
Exactly.
- [43:29]
B
So, yeah, definitely gotta talk more about that.
- [43:31]
A
We'll definitely talk more about that. Yeah. Ellie, thank you so much for coming on.
- [43:35]
B
This was super fun.
- [43:35]
A
Thank you.
- [43:36]
B
I'll be back.
- [43:37]
A
She'll be back, guys.
- [43:38]
B
Don't worry.
- [43:38]
A
I know this is going to be a hit episode. Thank you so much for listening to the Real Foodology podcast. This is a Wellness Loud production produced by Drake Peterson and mixed by Mike Fry. Theme song is by Georgie. You can watch the full video version of this podcast inside the Spotify app or on YouTube. As always, you can leave us a voicemail by clicking the link in our bio. And if you like this episode, please rate and review on your podcast app. For more shows by my team, go to wellnessloud.com. see you next time. The content of this show is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individual medical and mental health advice and doesn't constitute a provider patient relationship. I am a nutritionist, but I am not your nutritionist. As always, talk to your doctor or your health team first. If you struggle with bloating, gas, constipation, digestive issues, yeast overgrowth, well, you may already know about Digest this. It's the podcast hosted by me, Bethany Cameron, also known as Little Sipper on Instagram. I dive into gut health, nutrition, the food industry, and drawing from my own experience, I break down what's good, what's bad, and what's the best for your gut, your skin, and so much more. I even offer gut friendly recipes. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday. Produced by Wellness Loud.