What is faux holism?

Somewhere in the last ten years, I started calling out something I've coined faux holism. I'm not gonna lie. I'm pretty pumped I came up with this term. Faux holism is anything that LOOKS like it's good for you — but spoiler alert — isn't. It's usually natural. And it usually seems like you should do it. Think supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle suggestions.

Faux holistic suggestions are usually made by faux-holistic-type health providers or "experts." Functional medicine doctors, naturopaths, homeopathy providers, acupuncturists, and nutritionists are all often guilty. But you might also get exposed to faux holism through reading fertility books (often by these same type people) or listening to podcasts that can function as echo chambers.

You're also almost guaranteed to get a whole heaping helping of faux holism on fertility forums where people will repeat suggestions they've gotten from their own providers. Here there's even a well-meaning (but not so helpful) element of "the telephone game" where bad ideas slowly morph into even worse ones.

So yeah ... it's everywhere.

Faux holism is sneaky. Again, these suggestions totally seem like a good idea. And the person suggesting it will probably have a legit-sounding rationale. They'll rattle off some test result, or study, or professional anecdote to back up their recommendation.

But here's the thing. Faux holism WILL make things WORSE because:

• It's not really evidence-based science at all

• It's not in alignment with what you need or actually want

• Both of the above

Faux holism will — at the very least — make your life more stressful by adding one more thing for you to worry about or do. And for every often-super-debatable and probably-not-actually-scientific reason you might be told it'll move you forward, it's gonna do at least two things to move you back.

Here’s a common example.

A faux-holistic provider instructs you to cut out all alcohol, caffeine, sugar, dairy, and gluten. They tell you it'll definitely help you detox, decrease your unhealthy inflammation, and totally help you get pregnant. They share success stories of people who listened to them and then got pregnant.

You might post on a fertility forum to ask if others have done elimination diets. I guarantee you people will chime in and say they've been given the same advice. And they did do it. And their IVF worked. So ... sounds like a good idea right?

Wrong.

First of all, this sort of eating is disordered. And I'm not exaggerating.

Have you heard of Orthorexia? Here's the Healthline definition: An eating disorder that involves an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating.

Unlike other eating disorders, orthorexia mostly revolves around food quality, not quantity. Unlike with anorexia or bulimia, people with orthorexia are rarely focused on losing weight. So, you've essentially been prescribed disordered eating.

There's the first strike.

Plus, this sort of faux holism will also increase obsessive thoughts, will make you feel guilty and overwhelmed, and will make it harder for you to enjoy your life.

Strike two.

Plus, from a scientific point of view, we don't need to help our body detox. We'd be totally screwed if we did. Just search "is detoxing a scam" and you'll quickly see real science and what the folks at Harvard and Mayo have to say.

Strike three.

Plus, do you know what increases inflammation every bit as much as sugar or alcohol? Cortisol! And do you know what scientifically increases cortisol by the boatload? Mismanaged stress and anxiety! Which you will get from eating this way.

Strike four?!

Plus, if your provider used food allergies as a reason for their suggestions, the truth is VERY few people have actual food allergies. Watch the lesson I did on this subject if you want to understand it better. You might have food sensitivities, but rigid disordered eating is not the way to improve these. It'll actually make them worse.

Strike five!

PLUS, one of the warning signs of orthorexia is when rigid dietary restrictions take a toll on a person’s social life ... and infertility already makes you feel isolated.

Strike six.

I could go on.

More sneaky faux holism examples.

Now I will 100% concede you can — and should — be moderate in your sugar and alcohol intake. That's legit and worth doing. That does help your body in legit ways. But if you're immoderate and aim for total elimination it'll be a wash, or worse. And elimination diets are just one of many examples of faux holism.

"You NEED this supplement — even though there's no actual science. It costs $80 a month, it kinda gives you gut rot, and you're already taking 8 other pills a day."

"You SHOULD believe harder and try to manifest your baby and stay positive. Even though this is total BS and conflicts with actual science-based evidence that realistic emotions (including grief and anger) and emotional expression (saying how you really feel) are by far the healthiest choices."

"You NEED to get acupuncture exactly eight times before your egg retrieval PLUS have a pre and post embryo transfer acupuncture session to have the best chance of success."

Again, what does this ACTUALLY DO for you? Does it freak you out? Does it financially stress you out? Does it make you run around town scrambling to too many appointments in the middle of the already intense logistics of IVF?

Sure, there's one single study that suggests eight acupuncture treatments are ideal. And for sure, it might totally be your acupuncture provider's preference. As an acupuncturist myself, more acupuncture probably sounds great! But there are other studies that don't focus on eight treatments that are also very good. I break them down in my Acupuncture During IVF video. And you're (probably) not an acupuncturist so eight treatments most likely doesn’t even sound good to you.

It's most healthy for you to make a nuanced choice that really works for you! Your results will be as good — if not better — when it comes to pregnancy rates. And your quality of life will be so much better.

The idea of TRUE holism.

Sure, there may be reductionistic Western treatments like IUI and IVF that are medically necessary and won't ever feel holistic — because they're not. But when it comes to natural fertility options that should be holistic you need to make sure they really are.

Choices should always be rooted in good science, AND a legitimately great fit for the whole you. Both. Look for solid evidence and think about your preferences, your budget, your time, and your life. If something doesn't check all the boxes it's rarely worth doing. Not if you want to actually feel better and get more fertile from doing it.

Now I know all of this can be hard to hear. I know you've probably been sold on faux holistic ideas, and now you might be feeling bad about having bought into them. But now that you know, there's no time like the present.

Start seeing faux holism and start feeling awesome about calling it out. Start demanding better. Start getting truly holistic.

There are plenty of science-backed suggestions that will make you feel better. There are plenty of you-focused suggestions that will help you get healthier. There are plenty of holistic providers who won't make unscientific suggestions and ignore how you feel. Find them. Insist on them.

Remember, how you approach this often unfair and uphill experience of infertility matters! You can help your odds of having a baby and you can protect your mind, body, and life too. Seeing faux holism is a great start.

Nicole

Nicole Lange

LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST
HOLISTIC FERTILITY EDUCATOR