The Dr. Hyman Show

From Inflammation to Conception: Solving the Fertility Puzzle

Mar 31, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Kelly LeVeque, a holistic nutritionist and bestselling author, shares her expertise on the intricate relationship between nutrition and fertility. She highlights the significance of addressing metabolic health, inflammation, and gut health as key factors in reproductive wellness. Kelly emphasizes the dangers of ultra-processed foods and advocates for a nutrient-dense diet to enhance fertility outcomes. She also delves into the importance of reducing chemical exposure and understanding hormonal balance for both men and women striving for conception.

43:34

Episode guests

Kelly LeVeque

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Lifestyle and dietary choices, particularly the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and avoidance of ultra-processed foods, critically influence fertility and hormonal balance.

Addressing mitochondrial health and maintaining a balanced gut microbiome are essential for improving reproductive outcomes and overall fertility success.

Deep dives

The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Reproductive Health

Adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for reducing inflammation and enhancing hormone function, particularly in reproductive health. For men, incorporating omega-3s from sources like fish oil and sardines has been linked to improved sperm quality, quantity, and motility, as well as higher testosterone levels. For women, omega-3s can positively influence egg quality and the uterine lining, which is vital for a successful implantation during early pregnancy. This underscores the importance of including fatty fish in the diet to support both male and female fertility.

Intro

1min

Nutrition and Fertility: A Critical Connection

11min

The Critical Role of Nutritional Testing in Fertility

3min

Nutrients for Fertility

5min

Understanding Hormones and Reducing Chemical Exposure for Fertility

3min

Fertility and Chemical Exposure

5min

Optimizing Male Fertility Through Nutrition and Gut Health

4min

Nourishing Fertility: The Power of Whole Foods

7min

Fertility challenges are increasingly linked to lifestyle and environmental factors that go far beyond reproductive organs. Emerging science reveals that metabolic health, inflammation, diet, and exposure to environmental toxins all play a profound role in hormonal balance, egg and sperm quality, and even early embryo development. Key drivers of dysfunction—such as ultra-processed food, insulin resistance, gut imbalances, and mitochondrial damage—are rarely addressed in conventional fertility care, despite their deep impact. Paying attention to these overlooked root causes offers not only a powerful path to improving fertility but also the foundation for lifelong health in both parents and their future children.

In this episode, I discuss, along with Kelly LeVeque, what we can do to improve our fertility, which ultimately impacts the future health of our children.

Kelly LeVeque is a holistic nutritionist, celebrity health coach, the best-selling author of Body Love and Body Love Every Day, and most importantly, mom of three little boys. Kelly LeVeque is passionate about the science of human nutrition and is always guided by a practical and optimistic approach to wellness. Kelly helps clients improve their health, achieve goals, and develop sustainable habits to live a healthy and balanced life. Kelly is a regular contributor to numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle publications.

This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers.

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Full-length episodes can be found here:

Fertility in Crisis: Exploring the Toxic Threats to Fertility and the Rise in Infertility

The Fertility Crisis: Why it’s Happening and How to Fix it

Boost Fertility Naturally: Top Foods to Eat