Food Toxins & Fertility: What Actually Matters with Nutritionist Courtney Swan
Food labels can make almost anything look healthy, but what is actually in the food we eat? With growing concerns about ultra processed foods, additives, seed oils, and pesticides, many women are left wondering what truly matters for their hormones and fertility.
In this episode of the As a Woman podcast, Dr. Natalie Crawford talks with Courtney Swan, MS, integrative nutritionist and host of Realfoodology. Courtney shares how she and her husband prepared for pregnancy before conceiving at 41, and they discuss how nutrition, inflammation, egg health, and sperm health can shape fertility. Together, they offer practical ways to make informed choices and reduce everyday exposures without fear or perfection.
Food Toxins & Fertility: What Actually Matters with Nutritionist Courtney Swan
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Food Toxins, Hormones, and Fertility
01:08 Is the American Food System Broken?
05:25 Processed vs Ultra Processed Foods
08:33 Food Additives and Hidden Ingredients
12:05 Seed Oils and Inflammation
15:11 Environmental Toxins, Glyphosate, and Organic Food
18:11 How the Body Handles Everyday Toxin Exposure
19:10 Pregnancy at 41 and Preconception Health
22:43 Male Fertility and Sperm Health
27:42 Fertility After 35 and Metabolic Health
33:03 Where to Start Reducing Toxin Exposure
36:16 Fertility Testing Before Trying to Conceive
38:39 When to Consider a Semen Analysis
39:44 Egg Quality, Mitochondria, and CoQ10
40:23 Courtney Swan and Realfoodology
Guest Resources:
Website: https://www.realfoodology.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodology
AS A WOMAN WITH DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLveZDgg3_HZ9m7Wy3C6Vvyrj_NtEOwj_l
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/as-a-woman/id1449553339
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12IYOLH9liu60gk5D0bRPk
Host Resources:
Order The Fertility Formula! https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book
Newsletter: nataliecrawfordmd.com/newsletter
Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd
Youtube Channel: Natalie Crawford MD
Interested in becoming a patient?: Fora Fertility
Earn FREE CE/CME: Learn at Pinnacle App
This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network.
ABOUT DR. NATALIE CRAWFORD:
Natalie Crawford, MD, is a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, co-founder of Fora Fertility, and author of The Fertility Formula. She helps women understand their hormones, fertility, and reproductive health so they can make informed decisions about their bodies.
Disclaimer: Natalie Crawford, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care.