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Is Your Microwave Oven Safe for Your Fertility?

Is Your Microwave Oven Safe for Your Fertility?

Guest Post By Iva Keene

42-16568644Oh how we love the convenience of our little gadgety helpers. Abracadabra and in 20 minutes your frozen chicken is sitting on your dinner table, steam vapor spiraling to the ceiling. But have you ever stopped and wondered: ‘is my convenient microwave oven safe for my fertility?’ We can whip things up in the kitchen in no time. Our great, great grandmothers would think we possessed magical powers to be able to defrost, boil, and bake food within minutes. However, the microwave ovens which make this magic possible are not as harmless and safe as we have been led to believe.

You may be shocked to discover just how bad and dangerous your microwave oven can in fact be for you and your family’s health and fertility.

Microwave oven facts

– Mainly used for convenience and energy efficiency.

– Soviet Union banned use of microwave ovens in 1976.

– Over 90% of American homes and restaurants have microwave ovens.

– Cooking with a microwave oven is unnatural and unhealthy.

What are microwave ovens and how do they work?

Microwave ovens produce micro wavelength radiation of 2450 Mega Hertz (MHz) or 2.45 Giga Hertz (GHz). This radiation passes though the molecules of your food.

They emit a form of EM energy similar to radio and light waves, which are used to relay TV programs, long distance phone calls, communicate with satellites and as of 1970 – cook food.

Just as a magnet has a positive and negative polarity, so do the molecules of our bodies and our food molecules. The microwaves cause the poles in the molecules to rotate millions of times over. This ‘polarity rotation’ generates heat (which makes the food hot) but, in the process, it also damages the molecules and the surrounding molecules breaking and tearing them apart. This essentially deforms them and makes them useless and dangerous to the body. Here’s why.

Microwave ovens turn protein into nerve and kidney toxins

Dr. Lee published an article in The Lancet in 1989 warning of the dangers microwaves cause to amino acids in the milk and food, turning a harmless substance into neurotoxic and nephrotoxic (toxic to the nerves and kidneys) substances. Further, in 1991, Dr. Lee published a book titled Health Effects of Microwave Radiation, in which she stated that every microwave oven leaks electromagnetic radiation, harms food, and converts nutrients into dangerous and toxic carcinogens; she concluded that microwave ovens are not safe.

Tragic mistake kills a patient

In 1991 in Oklahoma, a patient was killed with microwaved blood from a simple blood transfusion. The nurse heated up the blood in the microwave not realizing that the molecular changes would occur in the blood, which eventually killed the patient.

The human body is electrochemical in nature and anything that disrupts the electrochemical balance in the body can harm it.

Microwaved food increases bad cholesterol and destroys your immunity

A study published in the Raum & Zeit in 1992, compared people who ate microwaved food with a group who ate conventionally cooked food. Those who ate microwaved food had significant changes in their blood; their hemoglobin levels decreased (carries oxygen to cells in the blood, less oxygen to the cells means greater cell death), their bad cholesterol rose (clogs arteries and leads to heart attack and/or stroke as well as interferes with hormone production), their white blood cell count (immune cells which fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens and cancers) decreased.

Swiss scientist silenced after publishing the first conclusive clinical study on the dangers of microwaved food

Swiss scientist Dr. Hans Ulrich Hertel was the first scientist to carry out a clinical study on the effects of microwaved nutrients on the blood and human body. He published a study demonstrating that microwave cooking changed the nutrients in the food which caused degenerative changes to occur in the human blood, leading to deterioration of health. He was fired from his job when he started questioning the way a major Swiss food company produced some of its food. After Dr. Hertel published his study, a Swiss trade organization (FEA) forced the Court in Bern to issue a ‘gag order’ and to stop Dr. Hertel from publishing his findings. Dr. Hertel didn’t back down and, in 1993, The European Court of Human Rights found that there was a violation of Dr. Hertel’s rights of freedom of speech and ordered Switzerland to remove the ‘gag order’ and pay him compensation.

Microwaved food loses up to 90% of its nutritional value

Russian research shows that microwaved food had 60-90% decrease in nutritional value, and there was a decreased bio-availability of vitamins B, C, E, essential minerals and fatty acids.

Russian research has coined the term ‘Microwave sickness’ which after the initial changes to the blood parameters leads to a series of symptoms and conditions including reproductive problems and cancer.

So, is your microwave oven safe for your fertility? I think you’d agree that it’s clearly not.

Is my microwave oven safe for my baby?

In 1989, Young Families, the Minnesota Extension of Service of the University of Minnesota published an article about the dangers of heating baby’s bottles in a microwave due to the risk of the bottle exploding, making the milk too hot for the baby, burning baby’s mouth and throat and causing the loss of nutrients and vitamins.

Why you should not eat microwaved food, especially when trying to conceive

1. Vitamins, minerals and nutrients become altered and useless to the human body. When trying to conceive and during pregnancy, it’s crucial that your body gets all the nutrients it needs.

2. Regular ingestion of microwaved food alters and can shut down male and female hormone production. Altered hormone production can lead to poor egg and sperm health, inability to conceive, and miscarriages.

3. The human body cannot break down and absorb microwaved nutrients and their toxic by-products.

4. The effects of microwaved food by-products on the body are long lasting.

5. Vegetables and meat proteins are altered and turned into carcinogenic compounds.

6. Ingestion of microwaved food has been linked to stomach and intestinal cancer and tumors, loss of memory, concentration, decrease in intelligence, emotional instability, and infertility.

7. So the answer to the question: is my microwave oven safe for my fertility? is a resounding No!

What to do

1. Stop using and throw out your microwave oven or pack it away while trying to conceive, and during pregnancy. Although I’m sure you’ll agree, after reading this article, microwave ovens and microwaved food should simply not be used if robust health and long life is your wish for yourself and your family.

2. Don’t eat at restaurants which use microwave ovens. If unsure, ask the restaurant if they use a microwave oven or not.

3. Do your own research and read some of the studies and books on microwave cooking available online and in many bookstores.

4. Spread the word, tell your friends and family, share this article – ‘Is your microwave oven safe for your fertility’ with them.


© 2010 Iva Keene. Reprinted with permission.

Iva Keene is an international Fertility Naturopath and creator of the Natural Fertility Prescription Program.

Dr. Christine Traxler M.D., OB/GYN
Dr. Christine Traxler M.D., OB/GYN


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  1. Avatar

    Wow this is a real eye opener. I will be sure to tell more people about this. However, what do you recommend that i het my coffee in every morning instead of the microwave?

    • Dear Azzam,

      Coffee can be reheated in a small pot on the stovetop, kept in an insulated mug versus a ceramic mug, there are also mug warmers available (a small hot plate that is plugged in upon which a mug sits to stay warm), there are small drip coffee pots that only make a few cups versus the larger 12 cup pots), etc. It will just take a little bit of exploring options to find the best for your needs.

  2. Avatar

    This is bonkers. Please dont spread false information about microwaves. Microwave food is totally safe. The explanations provided in this article is unscientific and incorrect. There are no references to research cited in the article. Would be mothers are eager to do the best for their baby. Please dont take advantage of their gullibility and mislead them. This article may make life of so many women hard if they stop using microwave ovens.

    I doubt this comment will be publsihed. Do it in the name of fairness. Let readers make informed choice

    • Dear Manoj,

      We welcome everyone’s opinions. We are glad you felt comfortable sharing yours!

      This is a guest post on our site from an international Fertility Naturopath and creator of the Natural Fertility Prescription Program. We have no reason to believe the author didn’t have credible resources for the information she shared. She sites as her reference a text, The Hidden Hazards Of Microwave Cooking, written based on Swiss, Russian and German clinical studies and the research of many doctors.

      It is not our intent to make life harder for anyone!

  3. Avatar

    Hi there, what i am eager to find out is when using a MWO, by only using it to reheat stuff and only for up to 1 minute, is it actually safe!

    • Hello Ahlke!

      Microwaving food for any amount of time can damage the nutrients in food and expose you to microwave radiation. To what extent, I can’t quantify, but we know it’s best to reheat in the oven, on the stovetop or a grill no matter how long it takes.


  5. Avatar

    Russian research shows that microwaved food had 60-90% decrease… Can you please site this study? I am doing research on this topic and am having a hard time finding any of the research mentioned. In what way are the chemicals changed? Do the electrons jump to a new valence shell which breaks the bonds in molecules? A bit more actual information would be helpful.

    • Hi Edwin,

      Please contact Iva Keen directly regarding references for this article. She left a comment just below yours and you can click on her name to get into contact with her.


  6. Avatar

    Thank you for your wonderful comments, I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Yes, microwave ovens are BAD news for fertility and should not be used under any circumstance while trying to get pregnant and thereafter. Even having the microwave oven plugged into the wall emits radiation. Therefore unplug your microwave oven and have it recycled.

  7. Avatar

    Thi is an eye opener, i must make sure other awaiting mothers knows this. THanks a mollion times

  8. Avatar

    I suspecting that the microwave might not be as safe as it should be. I am surprised that our gorenments allow microwaves to be produced… It is scary how many unsafe things(ie. pesticides and preservatives) that are allowed to be added to our foods legally…

    I really only use it to reheat foods and mostly to heat beverages. I am going to get a electric kettle immediatly and stop using the microwave!!!!

    • Good for you Melanie!

      I reheat my coffee in a stainless steel pan or bake my leftovers in a toaster oven. It takes longer, but you can time it during chores ect. For work lunches I often re-heat leftovers in a pan while cooking breakfast and then put them in a stainless steel thermos for later.

      It is unbelievable to me half of the things our government legalizes at the cost of our health. We live in a society that wants quick conveinience over health.

      Thanks for your comment.


  9. Avatar

    O.K. so I haven’t used my microwave in years. Actually, just to store nuts&seeds, and for the occasional popcorn popping. Does the latter make a difference, and if so…how can I make popcorn safely these days? Thanks! Love&Blessings 🙂

    • Hi Irene,

      Yes it even matters for popcorn. No matter what food you are putting in a microwave it is going to change it on a molecular level. There are still Air popcorn poppers and you can still pop it in a pan filled with some oil in the bottom of it, heated pretty high. Don’t forget to cover it with a lid while popping so you don’t burn yourself. I bet you can google “how to pop popcorn on the stove” and find a video answer!

      Best Wishes,


    • Avatar

      Microwave popcorn is extremely unhealthy, period. It’s not the popcorn itself, but the plastic material that lines the bag. When heated, it partially melts. It has also been proven to cause cancer. Not all brands are like this, but definitely be wary when heating any kind of plastic.

  10. Avatar

    Dear Madame the last time i used microwave was the end of 2005 but some times i eat with my mother she is old woman and use the Microwave Oven thanks for you and Natural Fertility I’ll tell my poor Mom and i’ll coock for her it’s better.

  11. I have not had a microwave since I was 16. It never seemed right. Food becomes so void after it has been microwaved.

  12. Avatar

    Great Article Iva! I got rid of my microwave (given to me as a gift) 8 yrs. ago. I have never missed it. Microwaves take our connection to our food out of our lives as well as vital nutrients.