Low Body Fat

While low animal fat is good for human health, it has created some reproductive problems for hogs. Not surprisingly, low body fat also causes reproductive problems for humans. Women who are anorexic or bulimic may also have such low body fat that they cannot produce the hormones for a menstrual cycle much less sustain sufficient energy reserves to prepare the uterus for potential implantation of an embryo.

In certain cultures, such as the Hottentot bushman of Africa, a large reserve of body fat is important. First it communicates to the male that the female has sufficient energy reserves to become pregnant, carry the baby to full term, deliver a healthy baby, and have energy to nurse the baby. Isn't it interesting that we have gotten so obsessed with a lean body that we may be interfering with our ability to reproduce?