If you're having trouble conceiving your body may need a detox.

The key to fertility is getting body into its natural optimum balance, which is often thrown askew by junk food and stress of modern life. Leading fertility experts believe there are three main factors that reduce fertility: stress, over-acidity in body and hormonal imbalance.

Fluctuating sugar levels can cause havoc with your hormones, and, just as a seed needs right acid/alkaline balance in soil, your eggs need right environment for conception to take place. Stress leaves body exhausted and unable to properly cleanse itself.

The ideal answer is a detox at a health spa, but not everyone has time or money to spend on a stay at a health resort. Those who do should consider it as an aid to conception, those who do not should concentrate on:

Several years ago when I was working as a newspaper reporter, I interviewed a woman who was a resident at a local nursing home. She was 100 years old. And she read at least one book per week. Mostly novels. She was bright, intelligent and fun to talk with.

"I love to read. It helps me keep up with what's going on in world," she said. "A friend of mine brings me a new book every week. I look forward to her visits and I look forward to books. We talk about books we've read."

Reading has other benefits, as well.

For one thing, reading a good story can help you forget some of problems in your own life.

"I can't get around much anymore," said 100-year-old woman who lived in nursing home. "When I go somewhere, I have to go in a wheelchair now. But when I read, I can go anywhere, anytime I want. And no one has to help me!"

Reading also sets a good example for younger generations.

From my own experience as an English teacher, and as a substitute teacher in many elementary classrooms, I have observed that best readers are those students who see their parents reading. And I'm not talking about only reading novels or nonfiction books. Newspapers and magazines are important too. It's reverse of old saying, "Do as I say and not as I do." You can talk about virtues of reading until you are so hoarse you cannot speak another word, but if you do not read yourself, your actions will communicate more to your children and grandchildren about how much you value reading than anything you could ever say.