Heavy metals as fertility disruptors

Fertility, chronic illness, and children’s health are colliding in ways we can no longer ignore, and this conversation brings much-needed clarity to what’s happening beneath the surface. In this episode, I’m joined by Ann Shippy, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and functional medicine practitioner whose work is reshaping how we think about preconception, detoxification, and generational health.

We explore Dr. Shippy’s personal healing journey, from severe gut illness and infertility to a complete career pivot into medicine, and how that experience shaped her systems-based approach to root-cause healing. From there, we dig into the modern fertility crisis, including declining sperm counts, rising miscarriage rates, and the alarming increase in childhood chronic disease, autism, and autoimmunity.

This conversation centers on the preconception window, the months and years before pregnancy that determine the health of sperm, eggs, and ultimately future generations. We break down how toxins like mold, heavy metals, plastics, pesticides, and PFAS quietly damage mitochondria, hormones, and DNA, and why fertility challenges can be a powerful “check engine light” for deeper imbalances in the body.

We also get practical, covering environmental testing, detox strategies, and why gentle, well-supported detoxification matters more than aggressive protocols. Dr. Shippy explains how nutrition, minerals, glutathione, methylation, and nervous system regulation work together to restore resilience, whether you’re trying to conceive or simply aiming for long-term vitality.

If you’re thinking about having children, struggling with fertility, or concerned about the health trajectory of future generations, this episode offers both hope and a science-backed roadmap forward.

Order Ann’s new book, The Preconception Revolution: A Science-Backed Path to Your Fertility and Generational Health, at annshippymd.com/the-preconception-revolution.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended for diagnosing or treating illnesses. The hosts disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects from using the information presented. Consult your healthcare provider before using referenced products. This podcast may include paid endorsements.

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MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

(00:00:00) From Corporate Engineer to Healing the Impossible

(00:12:30) The Fertility Crisis, the Children’s Health Emergency, and the Preconception Wake-Up Call

(00:21:38) Mold Toxicity: The Invisible Fertility Killer Hiding in Plain Sight

(00:35:26) Heavy Metals, Plastics, and PFAS: What’s Getting Imprinted in the “Time Capsule”

(01:00:56) Making Preconception Practical: Testing Access, Men’s Role, and the Supplement “Short List”

(01:25:46) Fertility Begins Long Before Conception: Stress, Trauma, and the Hidden Signals We Pass On

(01:44:22) Histamines, Genetics, and the Fertility Puzzle Most People Miss

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