These nutritional guidelines will help prepare you for and help you recover from surgery.  By taking these nutrients both before and after surgery, you will support the healing process and lessen the post  surgical discomfort and pain.  Make sure that your diet is well balanced and healthy.  Remember that your general health after surgery partly depends on your general health before surgery.

Acidophilus - Take as directed, 3 times daily - To stabilize the intestinal bacterial flora.

Coenzyme Q10 - 50 mg daily - A free radical destroyer that improves tissue oxygenation.

Essential Fatty Acids - Take as directed - Important for proper cell growth and healing of all tissues.

Free Form amino acid complex -Take as directed - Aids in collagen synthesis and wound healing.  A readily available form of protein, easily absorbed by the body.

Garlic - 2 capsules 3 times daily - A natural antibiotic that enhances immune function.

L-Cystine - 500 mg twice daily - Speeds healing of wounds.

L-Glutamine - 500 mg 3 times daily and at bedtime - Speeds healing of wounds.

L-Lysine - 500 mg daily - Speeds healing of wounds and aids collagen formation.
* Caution - do not take lysine for longer than 6 months at a time.

Multivitamin w/ minerals - Take as directed - Provides necessary vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin A - Take as directed - Needed for protein utilization in tissue repair and a free radical scavenger.

Beta-carotene - Free radical scavenger.  Precursor to vitamin A.

Vitamin K - Take as directed - Important for blood clotting.

Vitamin C - 6,000 to 10,000 mg daily in divided doses - Aids in tissue repair and healing of wounds.  Vital for immune function.

Vitamin E - Beginning the day after surgery, take 600 IU daily.  Improves circulation and repairs tissues.
Do NOT take any vitamin E during the 2 weeks before surgery - it may  thin the blood.

Vitamin E oil - topical; After the stitches are removed and healing has begun, apply topically tot he area of the incision 3 times daily -

Promotes healing and reduces scar formation.

Zinc - 50 mg daily - Important for tissue repair

Calcium  - 1,500 mg daily - Important for tissue repair

Magnesium - Important for tissue repair

Silica - Important for tissue repair

Vitamin D - 400 IU daily - necessary for the absorption and utilization of calcium.

Herbal tea is highly recommended before and after surgery.  Try the following as teas:

Echinacea - enhances immune system function.

Goldenseal - a natural antibiotic and helps to prevent infection.
* Caution - Do not take this herb internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, it may disturb normal intestinal flora.  Do not use during pregnancy, and use it with caution if you are allergic to ragweed.

Milk thistle - protects the liver from the toxic buildup of drugs and chemicals resulting from surgical procedures.

Pau d'arco - a natural antibacterial herb.  It enhances healing, cleanses the blood, and aids in the prevention of candidiasis.

Rose hips - are a good source of vitamin C and enhance healing.

     For conception to occur, the right conditions need to exist.  Both potential parents need to be in good general health for these conditions to prevail.  There are two major factors to consider when trying to become pregnant.  The first is that the ovaries and testicles must be functional.  The second is that the uterus must be in proper condition to bear a child.
     There are a few reasons why some couples can't conceive even  when they seem to have the physical ability.  Nutritional weaknesses or deficiencies account for many of the problems encountered by men and women.  In males, it is usually a low sperm count or weak motility  factor.  In females, there are five main causes that produce infertility. #1 Obstruction of the fallopian tubes. #2  A biochemical defect of the Graaf  follicles.  This may cause the release of immature eggs that cannot become fertilized. #3  Chronic infections of the ovaries. #4  Hormone imbalance. #5  Immunopathic self-aggression.  This is an immunization against the egg.
       The ovary becomes immunized against the egg and marshals  antibodies against it.  Obviously, the size of the egg is immensely larger than the size of the antibodies.  Thus, the aggression would remain ineffective if it weren't for the fact that once the egg becomes fertilized during its descent, its surface immediately hardens in order to avoid further attempts of fertilization.  Though the aggression of the antibodies cannot inflict any real damage to the egg, their combined contact produces a stimulus that is similar to the impact of the sperm.  Therefore, as the time the egg descends through the tube, its surface is hardened and can resist the impact of the sperm.
       Many of these causes can be corrected through effective supplements, adequate vaginal hygiene and proper nutrition.

Astragalus (AKA huang qi) (extract ) - As directed on label. Stimulates sperm motility.
* Caution - do not use in the presence of fever!

Beta-carotene - 15,000 IU daily.  Important in reproductive gland function.

Calcium - As directed.  Works with magnesium, zinc, sulfur, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.

Chaste tree (vitex) - Helps correct hormone imbalances in women.

Cyanocobalamin (B12) - Important in the reproductive process.  The male testes contain high amounts of this vitamin. Works with calcium, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.

Damiana - enhances sexual function in men, good for women.

Dong quai - good for women.

Essential Fatty Acids - Take as directed on label.  EFAs are essential for normal glandular function, especially for the reproductive system.

False unicorn root - Strengthens the female uterine walls.

Folic Acid - Works synergistically with vitamin A, C and E to produce sperm.

Ginseng - enhances sexual function in men, good for women.
* Caution - do not use if you have high blood pressure.

Gotu kola - Considered a sexual regenerator for women.

Inositol - Works with calcium, magnesium, sulfur, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.

Kelp - High in minerals, considered helpful for balancing hormones in men & women.

L-Arginine - As directed.  Increases sperm count and plays a vital role in sperm motility.

Licorice root - good for women.
* Caution - do not use if you have high blood pressure.

Magnesium - As directed.  Works with calcium, zinc, sulfur, B12, C  and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.

Manganese - As directed (Take separately from calcium).  Maintains sex hormone production.

Niacin/Niacinamide (B3) - As directed.  Essential for the synthesis of sex hormones.

Pantothenic acid (B5) - As directed.  Maintains sex hormone production.

Para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) - 50 mg daily.  May be vital in restoring fertility in some women.

Pyridoxine (B6) - 50 mg 3 times daily.  Needed for the synthesis of RNA and DNA.

Raw orchic glandular - (For men)  As directed.  Supports testicular function.

Raw ovarian glandular - (For women) As directed.  Supports ovarian function.

Sarsaparilla - enhances sexual function in men.

Saw palmetto - enhances sexual function in men. Selenium - 200-400 mcg. Daily.  A deficiency of selenium lead to reduced sperm count and  has been linked to sterility in men and infertility in women.

Sulfur  - As directed.  Works with calcium, zinc, magnesium, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.

Vitamin A - 10,000-15,000 IU daily (do not take more than 10,000 IU if pregnant).  Affects sexual hormones in both male and female.

Vitamin B complex - 50 mg daily.  Important in reproductive gland function.

Vitamin C - 2,000-6,000 mg daily, in divided doses.  Vitamin C is important in sperm production.  It keeps the sperm from clumping and makes them more motile. Works with calcium, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, B12, and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.
 

Vitamin E - Start with 200 IU daily and increase gradually to 400-1,000 iu daily.  Vitamin E is needed for balanced hormone
production.  It carries oxygen to the sex organs.

Wild yam root - Helps correct hormone imbalance in men & women.

Yohimbe - enhances sexual function in men.

Zinc - 80 mg daily.  Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from ALL supplements.  Zinc is important for the functioning of the
reproductive organs.  Works with calcium, magnesium, sulfur, B12, C and Inositol in the construction of healthy sperm.

Avoid vigorous exercise, hot tubs, and saunas, as they may lead to changes in ovulation and reduced sperm count.

Avoid all alcohol; it reduces sperm count and can prevent implantation of fertilized egg.