AIIMS Says Infertility Can Be Solved — Adopt These Measures

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every six people in the world is affected by infertility. Globally, 15% of couples struggle with this condition. In India, this number varies between 3.9% to 16% depending on the state.

Infertility is rising rapidly with time, but now it is also treatable. To discuss this critical issue, Parimal Kumar, founder of Kiddocracy, had an in-depth conversation with Dr. Rima Dada, Professor at the MD-PhD Lab for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, AIIMS.

Poor Diet Fuels Infertility

Is today’s diet affecting married life?

Responding to this question, Dr. Rima Dada said that irregular or unhealthy diet — commonly known as fast food — is often called the “Standard American Diet” or the “Deadly American Diet.” This diet is highly inflammatory, increasing oxidative stress. It also contains excessive trans fats and sugar.

Lifestyle habits have also changed. Earlier, people would occasionally eat out, but now with services like Zomato and Swiggy, ordering outside food at home has become easier. As a result, people are consuming junk food more frequently and becoming obese.

Additionally, if lifestyle includes smoking, alcohol, excessive mobile phone use, stress, and pollution, it further damages sperm quality. Heavy metals and pollutants present in the air severely affect sperm health.

Dr. Rima adds that sperm is one part of the body that cannot repair its own damage. Therefore, improving diet and lifestyle is essential to prevent infertility.

She explains that sperm DNA is very compact, which means it has only one active repair mechanism called the base excision repair mechanism. All other repair mechanisms remain inactive (silent). However, habits like smoking can disrupt even this active process.

Toxic substances like cadmium found in beedis and cigarettes can deactivate this repair mechanism, damaging the sperm DNA.

Another major factor contributing to infertility is late marriage. As a father’s age increases, DNA damage in sperm continues to accumulate. Repairing this damage then depends on the mother’s egg. But if the mother is also older, the egg’s repair capacity weakens.

When DNA damage is too high to repair, it results in infertility. This is why infertility cases rise sharply with age.

Your Diet: The Foundation of Not Just Your Health, But Your Future Generation’s Too

According to Dr. Rima Dada, earlier it was believed that only the genes we inherit from our parents determine our health. If the parents were healthy, their genes would ensure the child’s good health.

But now a new concept called epigenetics has emerged. It states that our thoughts, emotions, and diet can also influence how our genes function. When we adopt good habits like nutritious food, positive thinking, and a healthy lifestyle, beneficial programs within our genes get activated, improving DNA repair mechanisms.

On the other hand, poor diet and lifestyle damage our DNA quality. This is why diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s are increasing today.

Dr. Dada also mentions that conditions like Hyperactivity Disorder, childhood depression, and other mental health issues in children have been linked to poor DNA quality in fathers.

Thus, it is important to understand that our lifestyle and diet not only affect us but deeply impact our future generations as well.

Yoga Can Give Your Life a New Direction

According to Dr. Rima Dada, yoga is a lifestyle and process that helps balance physical, mental, and emotional aspects. In her studies, she found that yoga effectively reduces not just physical stress but also oxidative stress.

She states:

Just 21 days of regular yoga practice significantly reduces oxidative stress.

Yoga normalizes gene expression.

However, complete DNA repair may take around 6 months.

Just like brushing or bathing daily, yoga should become an integral part of life.

Start with Simple Yoga Practices

When asked by Parimal Kumar which asanas someone should begin with after watching or reading the Kiddocracy interview, Dr. Dada suggested:

1. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)

2. Pranayama

3. Anulom-Vilom

4. Then spend some time in meditation

Infertility today affects not only women but men equally. The primary reason is negative lifestyle choices.

Yoga can be an effective remedy against this problem.

With the right habits and proper treatment, infertility can be overcome.