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8 tips be as fertile as possible
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There are ways you can increase your fertility. - photo by Gary and Joy Lundberg
Youve been yearning for the day when you look at that test strip and can shout, Hooray! Im pregnant! Some women can get pregnant easily, while others have to keep working at it. If youre serious about having a baby, here are a few tips that may help up your fertility rate:

1. Keep your weight in check

Being too thin or overweight create fertility challenges. According to William Gibbons, director for the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Baylor College of Medicine, weight before getting pregnant is often an overlooked factor in fertility. Keeping a healthy weight can help with conception. Stay at a healthy rate to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

2. Avoid tobacco and alcohol

Smoking tobacco or marijuana can cause infertility, so abstain. Studies also show how drinking alcohol increases the risk of birth defects and may contribute to infertility. Both tobacco and alcohol can negatively affect fertility in you and your partner.

3. Pay attention to your ovulation cycle

Did you know that an egg lives about 12-24 hours after being released? Thats a short life span. You need to act during that window of opportunity. This is usually about 14 days after the first day of your last period, if your cycle is around 28 days long.

4. Keep an eye on your age

When trying to conceive, age somewhat matters. The twenties and early thirties are your most fertile years. Too many women wait until theyre nearly 40 and then think they can quickly get pregnant. At 30, the chance of conceiving each month is about 20%. At 40 its around 5%.

5. Eat healthy

Studies show that some foods help a woman be more fertile while others curtail it. The link above from Dr. Walter Willett (professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health) provides helpful and specific information about what you should be eating.

6. Exercise, but not excessively

Exercise gets your blood flowing and stimulates good overall health. However, studies show that women who are obsessed with exercising may limit their chances of becoming pregnant. Too much of anything is harmful to our bodies, which leads us to that well-known saying, moderation in all things.

7. Relax

Being overly stressed about not being about to get pregnant can be a big culprit in hindering conception. A few ways to relax include yoga, getting a massage and spending fun time with family and friends. Make time to get outside. Breathe in the beauty of the world that surrounds you, even if it is just in your neighborhood or a nearby park.

8. Be happy

Enjoy the good in your life. Look for it. Remember, happiness is a choice. Notice what you already have and enjoy your blessings. Consider starting each day with a deliberate thought about one thing you truly enjoy about your life. That will set the stage for a day full of noticing the good and being happy with what life has already given you.

Remember to consult your doctor before making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and remember to be patient. Hopefully soon, you and your spouse will be welcoming home your own bundle of joy.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.