The Fertility Dietitian | Functional Fertility Info in your Ears

If you've been trying to conceive for months or years, feel exhausted, and have been told your hormones are low, you may have been focusing on the wrong piece of the puzzle. Many women come to me with low testosterone, low metabolized cortisol, low energy, poor recovery, and low libido. They've tried supplements, changed their diet, and sometimes even pursued hormone replacement therapy, yet they still don't feel like themselves.

In this episode of The Fertility Dietitian Podcast, we're exploring a missing piece of the hormone conversation that almost nobody is talking about: mitochondrial health. Your mitochondria don't just produce energy—they play a critical role in hormone production, egg quality, and fertility outcomes. When mitochondrial function declines, hormone production often struggles too. Understanding this connection can help you take a more effective root-cause approach to improving fertility.

"Healthy mitochondria are the foundation of healthy hormone production." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What mitochondria are and why they're essential for hormone production
• The connection between mitochondrial health and fertility hormones
• Why normal DHEA with low testosterone and low cortisol may indicate a deeper issue
• Common signs and symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction
• How chronic stress, poor sleep, blood sugar imbalance, and gut health impact hormone production
• Why mitochondria are one of the most important factors influencing egg quality
• The relationship between mitochondrial health and embryo development
• Why hormone replacement doesn't always address the root cause of low hormones
• Practical ways to support mitochondrial health naturally
• The key nutrients required for healthy mitochondrial function and fertility

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Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

Diet culture has spent decades teaching women that eating less is better, fat is something to avoid, carbs are the enemy, and weight loss should always be the goal. But when you're trying to conceive, those messages can work against your body in ways you may not realize. Fertility isn't about shrinking yourself—it's about creating an environment where your body feels safe, nourished, and supported enough to reproduce.

In this episode of The Fertility Dietitian Podcast, I'm breaking down five common fertility nutrition mistakes rooted in diet culture and explaining why they may be impacting your hormones, ovulation, egg quality, and overall fertility. If you've been doing everything "right" according to traditional diet advice but still aren't getting the results you want, this episode will help you understand what your body actually needs to thrive.

"Fertility thrives in an environment of abundance, not deprivation." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why healthy fats are essential building blocks for fertility hormones
• The connection between cholesterol, hormone production, and egg quality
• How nutrition habits from the last 90 days influence fertility today
• Why consistency matters more than perfection for conception
• The truth about carbohydrates and their role in ovulation and hormone health
• How low-carb diets may negatively impact fertility in some women
• Why whole-food fiber supports gut health and reproductive health better than processed fiber additives
• The link between gut microbiome diversity and fertility outcomes
• Common signs you may not be eating enough protein for fertility
• The fertility-supportive nutrients found in high-quality protein sources
• Why fertility thrives in an environment of nourishment—not restriction

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Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

If you've been diagnosed with PCOS—or what is now officially called PMOS—and you've been told IVF is your next step, this episode is for you. One of the biggest misconceptions in fertility care is that PMOS automatically means IVF. In reality, many women are never given a full explanation of what's actually driving their symptoms, irregular cycles, or fertility challenges before being referred straight to treatment.

In this episode, we're breaking down the recent name change from PCOS to PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome), what this shift means for women's health, and why PMOS is far more than an ovary condition. We'll discuss the metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and fertility factors involved, why a whole-body approach matters, and how addressing root causes may help improve ovulation, egg quality, fertility outcomes, and long-term health.

"You deserve a deeper investigation before being told IVF is your only option." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why PCOS was officially renamed PMOS and what the change means
• The difference between polycystic ovary syndrome and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome
• Why PMOS is considered a whole-body condition, not just a reproductive disorder
• The connection between insulin resistance, fertility, and hormone imbalance
• Why many women with PMOS are undiagnosed
• Common misconceptions about weight, insulin resistance, and PMOS
• Why IVF may not address the root causes of fertility challenges in PMOS
• The long-term health risks associated with PMOS
• The diagnostic criteria for PMOS
• Blood work, hormone testing, and functional testing that can help identify root causes
• How gut health, mineral status, and thyroid function impact fertility
• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies that support ovulation and metabolic health
• Why improving overall health can improve fertility outcomes, whether or not IVF is part of your journey

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Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

When couples are trying to conceive, most of the conversation becomes about hormones, ovulation timing, medications, and procedures. But one of the biggest pieces of the fertility puzzle often gets overlooked: the environment your eggs are developing in. Your eggs are constantly responding to inflammation, nutrient status, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, blood sugar balance, immune signaling, and the fats that literally make up every cell membrane in your body.

In this episode, we're diving into the research on fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, egg quality, implantation, IVF success, and pregnancy rates. I'm breaking down what the literature actually shows about EPA and DHA, why omega-3s are so foundational for reproductive health, and how supporting inflammation and cellular health before pregnancy can completely shift the fertility environment over time.

"Fertility is responsive. Your body listens to the inputs you give it every single day." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why egg quality is influenced by your internal metabolic and hormonal environment—not just age
• How low fiber intake can disrupt your gut microbiome and impact ovarian health and inflammation
• The role of sleep in mitochondrial repair, hormone regulation, and reproductive signaling
• Why microplastic exposure may matter for ovarian function and endocrine disruption
• How chronic low carbohydrate intake can impact ovulation, progesterone, and thyroid function
• The connection between chronic stress, nervous system safety, and reproductive hormone output
• Why high-intensity exercise without adequate fuel or recovery may suppress fertility hormones
• Simple, realistic shifts to support a more fertile internal environment

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

Your egg quality is not as fixed as you've been led to believe. Yes, age matters—biology is real—but it is only one piece of the fertility picture. Your ovaries are constantly responding to your internal environment: blood sugar, inflammation, stress hormones, nutrient status, sleep, and even your gut health.

And that means something powerful: the daily habits you think are "normal" may actually be shaping the environment your eggs are developing in. In this episode, I'm walking you through the most overlooked lifestyle patterns that may be accelerating ovarian aging—and more importantly, how to shift them in a way that actually supports your fertility.

"Your ovaries are not separate from your life—they're responding to it." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why egg quality is influenced by your internal metabolic and hormonal environment—not just age
• How low fiber intake can disrupt your gut microbiome and impact ovarian health and inflammation
• The role of sleep in mitochondrial repair, hormone regulation, and reproductive signaling
• Why microplastic exposure may matter for ovarian function and endocrine disruption
• How chronic low carbohydrate intake can impact ovulation, progesterone, and thyroid function
• The connection between chronic stress, nervous system safety, and reproductive hormone output
• Why high-intensity exercise without adequate fuel or recovery may suppress fertility hormones
• Simple, realistic shifts to support a more fertile internal environment

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

If you are doing all of the right things but still not getting pregnant, this is a conversation you need to pay attention to. Blood sugar and insulin influence every step of the fertility process—from egg development and ovulation to implantation and early pregnancy. Yet this is one of the most overlooked fertility barriers I see because most women are either not tested properly or told their labs are "normal."

The tricky part is that blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance can exist for years before they show up on standard labs like fasting glucose or A1C. In this episode, I'm breaking down how blood sugar and insulin affect egg quality, hormone balance, ovulation, and pregnancy outcomes—and the simple changes that can dramatically improve fertility.

"You are not broken. You may just be missing a key piece." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How blood sugar and insulin directly impact egg quality and fertility
• Why insulin resistance can exist years before showing up on standard labs
• The connection between cortisol, blood sugar crashes, and fertility stress
• Why low-carb diets can backfire when trying to conceive
• How elevated insulin impacts ovulation and testosterone production
• The hidden insulin resistance pattern often missed in unexplained infertility
• Why normal glucose labs do not rule out fertility-related insulin issues
• The connection between insulin resistance, PCOS, and recurrent pregnancy loss
• Which fertility labs to request beyond fasting glucose and A1C
• Simple daily habits that improve blood sugar stability naturally

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

If I was trying to get pregnant, one of the first conversations I would have wouldn't be about ovulation tracking or another supplement—it would be about sperm. Because the sperm your partner has today reflects how he has been living over the last 70 to 90 days. And if you're only focusing on the female side, you're missing half of the equation.

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly what I taught my own husband about his fertility so we could shorten our time to a healthy baby. These are simple, actionable changes that directly impact sperm quality, DNA integrity, and pregnancy outcomes—and they matter far more than most couples realize.

"The sperm you have today reflects how you lived the last 90 days." - Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why sperm health reflects the last 70–90 days of lifestyle choices
• How male fertility impacts miscarriage risk, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcomes
• The biggest lifestyle factors damaging sperm quality and DNA integrity
• How alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and plastics affect sperm health
• Why food and nutrition are foundational for building healthy sperm
• The impact of heat exposure on sperm production and motility
• How sperm health influences placenta development and long-term baby health
• The most effective supplements to support sperm quality and motility
• Why fertility is a team effort—and how to approach it together

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

A lot of couples are told their labs are "normal" and still find themselves stuck with unexplained infertility. But normal doesn't always mean optimal, especially when it comes to fertility. In this episode, we walk through the most common lab red flags she sees over and over again, why they matter, and what to do about them so you can stop guessing and start getting real answers.

These lab markers are not random, and they are not just about general health. They tell us how safe the body feels, how well it is creating energy, and whether it has the resources it needs to support reproduction. Learn why fertility is so deeply connected to thyroid health, iron status, inflammation, metabolism, and immune balance, and how to begin supporting your body in a more strategic way.

"Your body will not prioritize pregnancy unless it feels safe enough to do so." — Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why a TSH above 2.5 can impact fertility, even if your labs are marked "normal"
• How thyroid antibodies can affect implantation, miscarriage risk, and time to conception
• Why ferritin below 50 or above 100 may be a fertility red flag
• What low cholesterol and low HDL can reveal about hormone production and metabolic health
• How fasting insulin, CRP, prolactin, and leptin can all affect ovulation and egg quality
• Why under-eating, stress, poor sleep, and inflammation can all make the body feel less safe for pregnancy
• How to support thyroid function, iron balance, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation naturally
• Why fertility is highly responsive to the environment and how the right strategy can change outcomes

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

If IVF has been suggested to you, or you have already been through it and it did not go the way you hoped, this episode is for you. Most IVF cycles do not fail randomly. They fail for predictable reasons, often because the foundation was never built before treatment started.

IVF is not a magic fix. It is a tool, and tools only work as well as the environment they are used in. Brooke breaks down the biggest misconceptions about IVF, what is commonly missed in the conventional fertility process, and what actually needs to be addressed to improve outcomes like egg quality, fertilization, implantation, and early pregnancy support.

"Rushing into IVF without preparation is one of the fastest ways to waste time." — Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why most IVF cycles fail for predictable reasons, not random ones
• How IVF can bypass certain steps without fixing egg quality, sperm quality, or inflammation
• Why rushing into IVF without prep can waste time, money, and emotional energy
• Why a 3 to 4 month prep phase matters for egg and sperm development
• What labs and markers should be assessed before IVF, including nutrients, insulin, cholesterol, and vitamin D
• How blood sugar balance and insulin sensitivity affect egg quality and implantation
• Why cholesterol, gut health, immune health, and inflammation are critical to IVF outcomes
• How sperm health and uterine environment can impact fertilization, embryo quality, and implantation
• Why unexplained infertility often means under-investigated infertility

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast

When you spend years being told that IVF is your only option, it can feel like your body has stopped being on your side. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa to talk through her four-year fertility journey, the testing that changed everything, and how she and her husband were finally able to conceive naturally after getting more individualized support.

What I love most about Lisa's story is that it is proof that fertility care does not have to be extreme to be effective. We talk about the power of fertility-specific testing, mineral balance, gut health, nervous system support, and realistic nutrition changes that actually fit into real life, plus how those same changes supported her through pregnancy, too.

"We need that energy pouring into reproduction to help the body feel safe enough to grow an entire human." — Brooke Boskovich.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why a fertility clinic's "one-size-fits-all" approach often leads straight to IVF recommendations instead of root-cause support
• How mineral balance, gut health, and comprehensive testing can uncover barriers to conception that generic advice misses
• Why sperm health matters just as much as egg health, especially when DNA fragmentation and morphology are part of the picture
• How nervous system regulation and stress reduction can support reproductive energy and improve fertility outcomes
• Why the most effective fertility nutrition plan is one you can actually follow consistently
• How preconception changes can carry into pregnancy and make that season feel calmer and more supported
• Why "doing enough" often looks less extreme than people expect when the plan is personalized

—

Connect & Learn More:

• Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq
• Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health
• Contact me: [email protected]
• Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop
• Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian
• YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast