My Top Fertility Supplements
When you are trying to conceive there are several reasons you may want to consider supplements.
Firstly, pregnancy itself asks a lot of our bodies, from the need for extra iron and vitamin D, to the much-discussed folic acid. It’s impossible to overstate the body’s load of extra work while making another person. However, there is a second reason that cannot be underestimated: we also want to ensure the best possible blueprint for the baby by optimising the gamete health in both men and women before pregnancy. We want to support egg and sperm quality to give the future baby an ideal start to a long and healthy life.
Here are my top five fertility supplements to improve your chances of conception and, most importantly, having a healthy baby.
Coenzyme Q-10 is a powerful antioxidant which helps neutralize damaging particles known as free radicals. These particles, when in excess, can damage cells right down to the level of the DNA. Why is this important for optimizing fertility? Because the eggs and the sperm are single cells, and they determine the health of the embryo and the future baby. Egg and sperm quality are of primary importance in the effort to conceive, and ensuring high antioxidant status is one of the best tools in your kit.
Vitamin D has been extensively studied for its role in both male and female fertility. The ovaries have an abundance of Vit D receptors, which suggests that the ovaries are a sight of Vit D metabolism. A deficiency of this sunshine vitamin has also been associated with low testosterone in men, and in women, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, as well as ovarian cancer.
Omega 3s are essential fats that your body cannot make on its own. Foods high in Omega-3 include fish, vegetable oils, nuts (especially walnuts), flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and leafy vegetables. I always recommend omega 3 fatty acids for the main reason that they reduce inflammation in the body.
N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC): As much as I hate to be a broken record, antioxidants, antioxidants, antioxidants. There are many reasons to take NAC. You may have seen it recommended for such things as pulmonary disease, or acetaminophen overdose. However, I recommend it for my fertility patients for a different reason: it is the precursor for glutathione (which is your body’s number one most powerful antioxidant). NAC also supports fertility by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, thus interrupting the inflammatory cascade. Reducing inflammation in the body is key not only for fertility, but for many other acute and chronic health concerns.
Myoinositol is a type of sugar made in the body, and found in many tissues throughout. I use it to support any metabolic issues in my patients. In particular, I suggest it for its property of promoting ovulation, and improving insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, in particular with women who have PCOS: myoinositol activates aromatase, a substance which is dysfunctional in PCOS. Aromatase has the very important function of converting testosterone to estrogen in the ovaries, and is thus essential for healthy fertility. With PCOS, however, the aromatase is inhibited, thus causing excess androgens (testosterone) and deficient estrogen.
Selenium and Zinc are two important minerals needed for the development and production of healthy sperm. These two nutrients improve volume, count, motility, and normal forms of sperm compared to no supplementation.
If you have any questions about your own health picture, I can book you in for a 15 minute discovery call. I’m always available for a chat!
