Top 10 Vitamins & Nutrients to Boost Fertility in Women
Do you know that addressing and optimising specific nutrient deficiencies can significantly improve your chances of conceiving? Our Adelaide fertility specialist reviews the most effective nutrients that boost fertility in women.
Baby-making is not as easy as it might seem. First and foremost, getting pregnant involves a series of complex biological processes. Thus, even a seemingly minor health problem may hurt a couple’s chances of becoming parents.
Besides, each person’s body is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing fertility issues. That’s why consulting an Adelaide fertility expert is the best you can do for yourself and your partner.
If you or anyone you love is struggling to conceive, here’s our list of expert-reviewed vitamins and nutrients to consider.
Adelaide Fertility Support: Understanding Female Infertility, Causes, and Potential Effects
Infertility is when you cannot get pregnant despite twelve months of unprotected sex. According to Healthdirect Australia, fertility issues affect nearly 1 in 9 Australian couples of reproductive age, and problems in women account for 40% of all cases. (1)
Any of the following factors can affect female fertility:
- Age more than 35 years
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis or an ovulation problem
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Fibroids
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Underactive or overactive thyroid gland
- Overweight or obesity
- Smoking
Inability to conceive has several detrimental effects on couples, especially women. These can include violence, divorce, social stigma, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Adelaide Fertility Support: Fertility Vitamins and Nutrients for Women
Years of research have clearly shown that prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Vitamin deficiencies often worsen during pregnancy, creating an unfavourable environment for the baby to grow.
Vitamins are crucial to:
- Menstruation
- Ovulation
- Thyroid function
- Immune function
- Egg quality and maturation
Notably, the same vitamins and others also play critical roles in conception. Below, we break down the top vitamins and minerals to improve fertility in women.
1. Folic acid (FA)
Government health authorities recommend 500 micrograms of FA per day (also called folate or vitamin B9) for women who are planning a pregnancy and during the first trimester of pregnancy. (2)
A 2016 study found that women taking 400 to 800 micrograms of FA had higher pregnancy rates. (3) Notably, the benefits were more significant in women with irregular cycles.
Likewise, researchers at Harvard Medical School revealed that preconceptional FA supplementation increased live birth rates following assisted reproductive technology (ART). (4)
Furthermore, a study published in Pediatrics Child Health pointed to a link between periconceptional FA and a lower risk of neural tube defects. (5)
Furthermore, studies also suggest that many CNS diseases can have digestive manifestations, and some gut diseases may spread to the brain.(9)
For instance, people with IBS and IBD are more likely to experience severe anxiety and depression compared to healthy individuals.(10) Likewise, a leaky gut can expose the brain to unwanted substances, such as bacterial toxins and inflammatory chemicals, leading to mental illness.(11)
2. Iron
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Thus, it protects cells against oxidative damage. Moreover, vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Luteal phase defect, which is associated with infertility and pregnancy loss, may improve with 750 mg/day of oral vitamin C supplementation. (8)
4. Vitamin D
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E supports general female reproductive health. (11) Most importantly, its deficiency can result in infertility, miscarriage, and premature delivery. (12)
So, women of childbearing age must take enough vitamin E before and during pregnancy. The recommended daily dose for pregnant and nonpregnant women is 7mg. (13)
6. Iodine
The human body uses iodine— an essential trace mineral—to make thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, digestion, and other critical functions.
In women, these hormones regulate the development of ovarian, uterine, and placental tissues. Thus, too much or too little thyroid hormones may lead to infertility or reduced fertility. (14)
Likewise, moderate-to-severe iodine deficiency may decrease women’s chances of getting pregnant by nearly 50%. (15)
According to NSW Health, women trying to conceive should consume 150 micrograms per day through supplements and a healthy diet. (16)
7. Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral with powerful antioxidant properties. Besides, it regulates thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA synthesis.
Selenium and selenium-containing proteins are essential for female reproduction. Healthy ovarian follicles contain high levels of selenium. Moreover, researchers suggest that optimizing selenium intake could boost a woman’s chances of conceiving. (17)
8. Zinc
Zinc is essential for both normal fertility and optimal pregnancy outcomes. Having low zinc levels could extend the time to pregnancy by 0.6 months, reports a team of Australian researchers. (18)
Similarly, a 2019 study found that zinc deficiency could affect the early stages of egg development, making the egg cells less likely to divide and be fertilized. (19)
9. Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10)
CoQ10, which is found naturally in almost every cell of our body, is a potent antioxidant. Besides, it plays a crucial role in metabolism.
Several studies have shown that CoQ10 supplementation may boost fertility by: (20,21)
- Promoting an environment more conducive to egg formation
- Improving immature eggs’ ability to divide
- Reducing oxidative stress in immature eggs
Furthermore, COQ10 might help increase the likelihood of clinical pregnancy, although it has no effects on live births or miscarriage rates. (22)
10. Probiotics: Gut microbiome and female fertility
Probiotics contain live microorganisms, especially “friendly” bacteria, that improve your gut and general health.
A growing body of evidence points to a link between gut dysbiosis and impaired female fertility. Dysbiosis may affect fertility in two ways: (23)
- By altering the levels of reproductive and metabolic hormones, such as estrogen, androgen, thyroid, and insulin.
- By increasing the risk of diseases that affect female fertility, such as PCOS and endometriosis.
So, the million-dollar question is, can probiotics help improve fertility? Absolutely, but there’s a catch.
Before starting a probiotic therapy, it is crucial to understand the types and numbers of microbes present in your gut. Remember, not all probiotics are created equal, and you may not need every bacterial strain available in a product.
Make sure to consult a gut health specialist who will customize the probiotic therapy for improved fertility.
Interested in learning about the Microbiome Adelaide Test for your gut? Click here to read our expert-reviewed article.
Key Takeaways
- Nutritional deficiency can affect fertility in women. Addressing these deficiencies is critical to increasing the chances of conception.
- Use an Adelaide fertility specialist who can pinpoint the cause of your fertility issue and recommend the appropriate treatment.
- Growing evidence suggests a link between gut dysbiosis and female fertility problems. Thus, microbiome testing is undeniably an appealing approach to addressing fertility issues in women.
Let our Adelaide Fertility Clinic Help
We offer a range of services to help increase your chances of conception through advanced testing, vitamin & mineral analysis, toxin identification, and lifestyle modifications.
Adelaide fertility specialist Kelly Gilbert will work with you to develop a tailored plan to help you achieve your fertility goals.
If you’re looking for a fertility specialist in Adelaide, contact us today to book an appointment.
Or call us on (08) 723 063 55
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