CANDICE CHAN is the CEO of medical wellness centre LifeHub. She’s also (at the time of writing!) an expectant mum. Here, she talks about her focus on getting her body healthy for pregnancy in the lead-up to conception and shares some tips for mums-to-be.
How early did you start factoring wellness into your pregnancy journey, and why?
I started researching and preparing for pregnancy around six months before my desired conception month. Over years of practicing functional medicine nutrition and natural medicine, I noticed many women suffering from infertility, and children with eczema, allergies and ADHD; many of these issues can largely be prevented if we properly detoxify and nurture mothers’ bodies before conception happens.
Do you think it’s difficult for women to have a healthy pregnancy today?
Yes! With through our conventional diets and lifestyles, we absorb toxins from the things we touch, breathe, eat and drink. One Red Cross study in the US found almost 300 toxins in the umbilical cord of newborns – all of them being absorbed into the womb. Moreover, a lot of people aren’t getting proper nutrients to sustain a healthy pregnancy due to the poor quality of food they’re eating. Psychologically, women are now more stressed than ever before too. This all contributes to inflammation in the body, imbalanced hormones and poor egg quality.
What are some things you did in the preconception period to ensure your body was well prepared?
First of all, knowledge is key. I wanted to find out how my body was doing and what foods I could avoid to decrease inflammation. So I did three functional tests at LifeHub to get better acquainted with my body:
#1 Heavy Metal Test: Since I’ve seen a strong correlation between heavy metal toxicity and conditions such as eczema and allergies in young people, I don’t want to pass these toxins onto my baby. This test helped me to understand my mineral status, including my calcium/magnesium stores for later in pregnancy.
#2 Food Intolerance Test: This test revealed the foods I need to stay away from during pregnancy so my baby isn’t more susceptible to allergies and inflammation.
#3 Micronutrients Test: I wanted to make sure my body has all the essential nutrients it needs while I’m growing my baby. Among other things, I found out that my vitamin D and K levels were extremely low.
After learning the results, I went on a six-month detoxification protocol at LifeHub with chelating agents, and I also focused on saturating my body with nutrients from supplements and IV drips.
According to TCM philosophies, women have better fertility when their blood circulation is good, so I also did the full spectrum infrared sauna at LifeHub around three times a week. It helped to lower stress hormones and pull toxins out of my body.
What are some LifeHub treatments that women looking to fall pregnant could benefit from?
The 21-day detox protocol is designed to kick-start the detoxification process in the body, combining IVs, infrared sauna, colonics and supplements. The LifeDrip is our premium IV drip, and highly recommended for women (and men) to keep nutrient levels at an optimal range. It includes antioxidants to help the liver detoxify and lower oxidation levels. A lot of people report a significant reduction in inflammation after just a few infusions!
What about on the male side – are there things men can do to aid a healthy pregnancy?
Studies have shown that with better sperm and egg quality, you produce smarter offspring; so I highly recommend male partners start detoxifying three months before the desired conception month. Again, the lab tests will better allow future super-dads to understand their bodies, while IV infusions and supplements can also help optimise male fertility!
EL Reader Offer!
Quote “EXPATLIVING” for 15 percent off the Multi-Nutrient LifeDrip IV (first-time users), plus the Healthy Conception Bundle Lab Tests (including Heavy Metal, Food Intolerance and Micronutrients Test).
Find out more about the treatments at LifeHub Medical Wellness Centre at thelifehub.com
See more in our Mums & Babies section
This article first appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
