How To Help Conceive Naturally With Superfoods

We receive questions about fertility concerns on a daily basis, as well as truly uplifting testimonials of how our Bursts have helped with conception and pregnancy. That’s why we created this guide full of information and tips to help all our followers who need it on their baby journey.

The ideal way to boost fertility is to deal with hormonal imbalances, normalize your cycle, support organ functions, and nourish the body for conception and pregnancy. In this guide you’ll find ways to address various underlying factors affecting fertility with nutrition and lifestyle tips to help.

It’s never too early to start preparing your body for conception. Sperm and eggs take 3 months to grow and mature so by making changes 3 months (or longer if possible) before trying to conceive (TTC) these magic-makers will be in top condition to help you achieve a successful pregnancy.

Superfoods To Help You Conceive

The x5 Superfoods in our list below help address several key issues that play a role in fertility, that’s why we recommend to take them together, maximizing fertility benefits – even if you haven’t yet identified the factors affecting any difficulty (or potential difficulty) conceiving.

#1 MACA

The first step in TTC is to address hormonal imbalances, to regulate the cycle, ensure that you are ovulating each month, and to help reduce stress. We know that consistently stressed individuals, and those coming off the pill may not automatically be ovulating each month.

Maca nourishes the pituitary – our master gland – stimulating the ovaries/testes to produce hormones at the correct levels. It also shown to reduce our stress hormone cortisol when it is raised. In this way, Maca can help improve issues like irregular cycles, endometriosis, thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and fibroids that affect fertility.

Thanks to its positive effect on hormonal levels, Maca boosts libido and fertility in both women and men. A study published in the Asian Journal of Andrology (2001) showed that “Maca improved sperm production and sperm motility” in men who took either 1500mg or 3000mg per day for 4 months.

A 2019 study found that a nutritional blend containing Maca showed an increase in the number of women who successfully ovulated from 10% to 50%! Researchers concluded this stimulation in ovulation increased the likelihood of getting pregnant (Maedica, 2019).

We continuously have testimonials rolling in on how our authentic 4-variety Maca has helped in conceiving, here are a few of our inspiring stories:

Our Maca growers and harvesters belong to the Chopccas community - descendants of the legendary Inca – who thrive in the high altitudes of the Peruvian Andes. This warm community have large families, which they attribute to their Maca diet, and it is an ancient Inca tradition to offer Maca to newlyweds!

Serving size:

Our recommended daily serving is 1tsp or x4 capsules. After 1-2 weeks of taking Maca daily you can either remain on this serving or start building up to 2-3 servings depending on its effects and your needs.

Why so imprecise?

This is because we are all starting at different points of health and are exposed to other influences – 1 serving daily may be enough for one Burster to regulate her cycle and even get pregnant, and another Burster may find she is still getting bad PMS for example and could benefit from 2-3 servings daily.

A male example of hormonal imbalance could be fatigue, loss of muscle mass, high stress, erectile dysfunction, hair loss – Maca can help with all of these by boosting the pituitary to produce hormones at the correct levels.

How does it taste?

So many of our Bursters love the taste of our Maca powder - they describe it as a malty, earthy, caramel flavor. The capsules have no taste and are very easy to take on the go.

Simple ways to take:

You can easily incorporate our Maca powder into your daily routine - simply add it to your porridges, yoghurts, smoothies, bowls, soups, dips or mix with a milk of your choice for a delicious Maca Latte!

Read on for our further fertility Superfoods, some of which taste great with Maca. Try our Golden Moon Mylk drink: Simply whisk together 1tsp Maca, 1tsp Turmeric and 1tsp True Cinnamon into a cup of warm plant mylk and your choice of sweetener.

#2 True Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a raft of evidence to show how it supports hormonal balance. It is famous for helping with insulin resistance, which is a major factor with fertility issues and PCOS. When our bodies are over-producing insulin, we have fewer resources to produce the sex hormones needed for conceiving, which Cinnamon helps to avoid.

Cinnamon is also one of the richest antioxidant foods in existence – this is very important for protecting the delicate DNA in sperm and eggs from damaging free radicals.

A study from 2014 found women suffering from PCOS who took Cinnamon had more frequent menstrual cycles and ovulated regularly (vital when TTC) compared with those taking a placebo (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology).

How To Take:

1-2 servings daily. Have with or 30 mins before meals to boost the insulin balancing effects. 1 serving = x4 capsules or 1tsp – have in herbal tea, coffee, plant mylk (in the Golden Moon Mylk recipe in the Maca section above), add to porridge, rice, quinoa, yoghurt, granola.

What’s the difference between store-bought Cinnamon and "True Cinnamon"?

The majority of cinnamon products sold in shops are not True Cinnamon (also known as Ceylon Cinnamon) but its cheaper cousin Cassia ("Chinese Cinnamon"). It contains a harmful compound coumarin and can be unsafe with medications, pregnant, or to give to children and pets.

Organic Burst Cinnamon is the heirloom True Cinnamon, organically certified and sourced directly from the Ratnapura region of Sri Lanka.

#3 Turmeric

Turmeric helps by supporting the immune system. Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and autoimmune conditions that are really prevalent today, can negatively affect fertility, they involve an ongoing immune reaction that the body has trouble switching off. Turmeric and its powerful compound curcumin have been found in studies to calm immune reaction.⁠

Our heirloom Sri Lankan Turmeric contains 3.4x more curcumin than average and powerful antioxidants that can help stop sperm DNA getting damaged (this is a common reason for miscarriage).⁠

How to Take:

1-2 servings daily. Have 30 min -1hr before meals to boost its protective effects.

1 serving = x4 capsules or 1tsp – have in herbal tea, plant mylk (in the Golden Moon Mylk recipe in the Maca section above), add to rice, soups, stews and curries.

#4 Chlorella

Chlorella helps the body cleanse away harmful toxins, xenoestrogens (fake estrogen from pesticides, plastics, etc) and excess hormones from the body that can impact fertility. When the liver is overloaded from these substances, along with alcohol, caffeine, medications, pollution, hormonal disruption is a common result. Organic Burst Chlorella supports your liver and bowel by grabbing toxins and helping eliminate them from the body.

Chlorella is also a source of key fertility nutrients including natural folate, zinc and iron.

How to Take:

1-2 servings daily. Having before bed is the most supportive for the liver, and if you’re having 2 servings, have one first thing in the morning, before any coffee!

1 serving = x4 tablets or 1tsp – try in in lemon water, juice, or your favorite smoothie.

#5 Spirulina

Our super-clean Spirulina contains 70% easily absorbed protein, containing all essential amino acids which are very important for those TTC. The amino acids l-arginine and l-carnitine are key for building sperm count and quality. Spirulina is also a source of fertility nutrients iron and natural folate (better than synthetic folic acid).

How to Take:

1-2 servings daily. Have in between meals to maintain steady energy and curb cravings that can impact insulin and hormone levels.

1 serving = x4 tablets or 1tsp – try in in lemon water, juice, or a green smoothie.

More Ways to Boost Fertility

Balance Blood Sugar

As explained above, when your body consistently produces a lot of insulin, a) you can become resistant to insulin, and b) other hormones will be down-regulated. This is why hormonal conditions such as PCOS are commonly linked to insulin resistance.

Steer clear of refined or ‘fast’ carbohydrates like white flour products such as bread, pasta, pastries as well as rice, added sugars in sweet foods, sauces, breakfast cereals, energy drinks, sodas & processed fruit juices.

Support the Liver

As well as having Chlorella and Turmeric to boost detoxification and support the liver, it’s best to keep alcohol to low level. Drink plenty of filtered water and herbal tea - dandelion or fennel are great for the liver! Apple cider vinegar (1tbsp) in warm water in the mornings is also a great liver support.

Avoid External Estrogens

Reduce exposure to fake estrogens that suppress important hormones for fertility including progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone, and in men they can affect testosterone levels. These external estrogens (xenoestrogens) come from herbicides, pesticides, plastics and even drinking water recycled from our rivers. from our environment.

How to:

• Reduce plastic use (don’t wrap food in cling film, use glass or BPA-free food containers, choose a stainless-steel canister instead of a plastic water bottle) and never heat foods in plastic containers.
• Eat organic food as much as possible to reduce exposure to pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.
• Drink filtered and mineral water (preferably from glass bottles) not tap water
• Use mainly natural toiletries.
• Dairy products (especially non organic) contain a lot of animal and sometimes synthetic hormones which can negatively affect fertility. Try to reduce or switch your dairy.

Help Eliminate Stress

The body responds to mental, emotional and physical stress in the same way – fight or flight. When our bodies think they are under attack, sex hormones, fertility, digestion and other organ functions take a back seat (one of the reasons why stress triggers IBS). Even a coffee can set off a fight or flight response, that’s why some people get the jitters.

How to:

• Reduce stimulants including caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
• Meditative breathing, or use a relaxation app for a few minutes a day or when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
• Regular exercise (although very strenuous or intense exercise can increase stress hormones). 
• Use essential oils such as lavender and rosemary on your temples and wrists, or try a room diffuser.
• Help manage stress levels with ½ tsp or x2 capsules daily of Organic Burst Chaga, that is already helping thousands of Bursters handle the overwhelm!

Tools For Fertility

Getting to know your body and cycle, including when you are ovulating (or about to) can really help on the fertility journey. Keeping a diary of your periods (including symptoms) cervical mucus, days you have sex and even your mood is a good way to tune into your body.

How to:

• Use an app to track your cycles such as Natural Cycles. 
• We recommend the Mira fertility monitor that actually tests your key hormones throughout your cycle.
• A basic way to track ovulation is to test your temperature upon waking each morning – it rises by around ½ a degree for three days when ovulating.

Top Up On Fertility Nutrients

Unfortunately, mainstream fertility and pregnancy multi-vitamin tablets are not particularly helpful. They are full of additives, bulking agents and preservatives that we don’t need and could potentially be harmful. The nutrients in these tablets are often in difficult to absorb formats.

We would always recommend nourishing your body with natural whole foods and Superfoods first, then choose ‘food state’ vitamin and mineral supplements that are more easily absorbed and used by the body.

Key nutrients and how to get them:

• Folate (folic acid) is used for cell division (making new cells) all fertility nutritional supplements will contain it, but the synthetic form isn’t a patch on natural folate found in vegetables like courgettes/zucchini, kale, broccoli and in Organic Burst Spirulina and Chlorella.
  
  Eat A LOT of greens and add in some amazing superfood algaes and you’ll be getting good levels of natural folate along with a wealth of other valuable nutrients including iron that is especially important in the early stages of pregnancy.
  
  
• Omega-3 essential fats are components of hormones, hormone receptors, new DNA and more. Here are our top plant-based sources: Organic Burst Chia Seeds, walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, Organic Burst Spirulina, Brussels sprouts, perilla oil.
  
  
• Zinc is an essential component of genetic material, and lack of it is a common reason for not conceiving quickly – note this is a very important nutrient for men’s sperm too.
  
  Pumpkin seeds are very rich in zinc, try pumpkin seed flapjacks, spread, or eat a handful a day as a snack. If you’d like to try a supplement, choose zinc citrate (which is a more absorbable compound).
  
  
• Antioxidants help stop sperm from getting damaged and the DNA fragmenting (this is a common reason for miscarriage when the quality of the sperm is not optimal).
  
  Lots of brightly coloured vegetables like greens (again!) squash, bell peppers and berries will offer vital protection, plus Brazil nuts for selenium and vitamin E – eat 5-6 Brazils per day. And don’t forget our Cinnamon and Turmeric are some of the richest antioxidant foods on the planet!
  
  
• Two important amino acids l-arginine and l-carnitine, from complete protein such as that found in our Spirulina, are responsible for building sperm count and motility. Eat a wide range of vegetable proteins like seeds, beans and peas or take 2 tsp or 8 tablets of Organic Burst Spirulina every day.
  
  
• Vitamin D3 levels in both men and women should be optimized before conception, it helps to balance hormones, improve sperm count and also regulates the immune response, which is important in early pregnancy.
  
  Sometimes the woman’s immune system rejects the embryo because it doesn’t recognize the foreign DNA. In summer make sure your skin is exposed to the sun for 20 mins per day – we’re talking shorts and vests not just your face and forearms (but make sure you don’t burn).
  
  Eat plenty of mushrooms and take a high strength, quality supplement to maintain levels in winter.

Our Hormonal Balance Bundle includes authentic 4-variety Maca, True Ceylon Cinnamon, super-pure Chlorella and heirloom Sri Lankan Turmeric. These 4 Bursts are the perfect partner for your fertility journey. Get them now with 10% OFF!

Good luck, we’re rooting for you!