Vitamins For Female Fertility

Vitamins and minerals are powerful regulators of female fertility and numerous studies have pinpointed specific nutrients that can help women to up the odds and speed conception. Even a simple multivitamin has been shown to up pregnancy rates.

Recently researchers of natural treatments have becoming increasingly interested in how specific nutrients and vitamins in the follicular fluids - in which the egg matures - affect egg quality and pregnancy rates. IVF provides the perfect situation for analyzing the effects of nutrients as the fluid within the follicle can be analyzed at egg retrieval and compared with IVF success rates. This has been done with melatonin, vitamin D and other nutrients showing that low levels of these -and other nutrients - correlate with lower success rates.

These novel studies give a different view of infertility proving that sometimes nutrient levels, diet and lifestyle choices are huge factors in infertility. At every level, good nutrient levels help to improve the frequency and timing of ovulation, determine egg quality and promote the ideal hormonal secretions for optimum fertility. Here is a list of some of the nutrient superstars that are worth considering in your quest to conceive.

That said, every woman's infertility is different and depending upon your diagnosis, your age and the treatments that you are pursuing you will likely benefit from certain nutrients combinations and not others. Nutritional fertility care is not a one-size-fits-all magic bullet treatment, it can require some careful strategizing to pinpoint the nutrients that are best your you, and, you should always ask your physician before trying anything new.

* Vitamin D has been shown to have a powerful effect on increasing the odds of IVF success and has been shown to be important for a healthy pregnancy too. Blood tests for 5-hydroxy-vitamin D can readily check your levels so you can supplement effectively.(http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art61663.asp)

* Zinc has been shown to be critical to the rapid development of the egg within the follicle especially with IVF where many eggs are developing at once. Zinc is usually present at higher levels in prenatal vitamins compared to multivitamins, another reason to find a good prenatal vitamin. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8956.asp)

* L-Arginine has been shown to boost IVF success rates in 'poor responder patients' and has a special place in pre-IVF nutrient protocols. The dose used is rather high at 16 grams a day but studies confirm it's usefulness to women who struggle to produce enough eggs during IVF. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art61104.asp)

* Fish Oil provides DHA which is important for very early neurological development. Taking it pre-conceptually allows you to build up good levels before you conceive. Additionally it’s powerful anti-inflammatory effects may help curb conditions such as endometriosis.

* Vitamin C - in small doses of 750 mg a a day - has been shown to correct luteal-phase-defect which is marked by low progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle. The treatment boosted progesterone and estrogen levels and resulted in a 25% pregnancy rate within six months. Fertility and Sterility (2003;80:459–61).

* Melatonin has been shown in multiple studies to improve egg quality and almost double IVF success rates when taken for 1-3 months at a dose of 3 mg at night. Melatonin can theoretically elevate thyroid hormone levels so care should be taken if you are borderline hyper-thyroid. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29772.asp)

* DHEA has proven it's worth in improving IVF success and egg quality when taken at a relatively high dose of 75 mg per day and is increasingly being recommended by fertility specialists before IVF. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17793.asp)

* CO Enzyme Q10 - although not backed by any studies - is thought to have a special place in improving egg quality because of it's powerful effect on regenerating the mitochondria - the tiny energy factories of each cell - known to be a factor in age-related infertility. It is recommended by some of the top infertility clinics.

* Myo-Inositol has been the subject of multiple studies for it's ability to help women with PCOS to restore their fertility. Myo-inositol is also known to improve egg quality which is especially valuable for the over 35's. Studies have used a dose of 2 grams twice a day. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11781.asp)

* N-Acetyl Cysteine has shown promise for women with PCOS when given at a dose of 1.2 grams a day alongside Clomid in clomid-resistant women. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17645.asp)

* D-Chiro-Inositol has shown multiple benefits for women with PCOS helping to restore ovulation and combat the other aspects of the syndrome. (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21556.asp)

* Alpha-Lipolic Acid is another nutrient that may be helpful to women with PCOS when give as a twice daily controlled release 600 mg tablet. (J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2010 Mar 1;4(2):359-64 Effects of controlled-release alpha lipoic acid in lean, non-diabetic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Masharani U, et al.)

* Iron has been shown to reduce the incidence of ovulatory infertility by 50% and is a very common deficiency.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of nutrients to help you conceive faster! There is an incredible variety of nutrients and herbs which have helped many women to both restore their fertility naturally and to have more successful reproductive medicine treatments. As with all supplements and herbs it is advised that ask your physician before starting anything new, this is especially important if you are taking medications including fertility medication.

Your diet is of course the best source of nutrients for optimum fertility. Having a very varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables with ample plant proteins and small amounts of good quality fish, meats and eggs can make a tremendous difference. Avoiding foods to which you are sensitive can boost fertility too.

Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or are using assisted reproduction diet and nutrition is a factor that can definitely work in your favor, sometimes dramatically upping the odds of conceiving.

Would you like articles like this delivered to your email weekly? sign up for the Bellaonline Infertility Newsletter. It is free and you can unsubscribe anytime you like. The link is below.