Fertility Supplements 101

Fertility Supplements: An Overload of Information

There is currently an information overload on the Internet about fertility supplements. It can get overwhelming to know what is actually beneficial versus what could potentially be harmful.

I can’t tell you how many women come into my office having started Vitex, only to have me take them off of it because it wasn’t appropriate for their hormonal balance.

The value of visiting a Naturopathic Doctor is in the personalized assessments and individualized plans. Assessments consist of history, symptoms, diet, stress levels, daily routines, and all aspects of a person’s life, which may be affecting the individual from achieving optimal health. Physical exams and labs like hormone testing are also done. Individualized plans are based on a complete profile of personal information from the patient.

Are there specific fertility supplements that can boost my chances? And is there research that supports their use?

The short answer is YES!

The Most Popular Fertility Supplements

CoQ10

CoQ10 is made naturally in the body, and is found in the mitochondria- the cell’s powerhouse. Deficiency may be related to age- associated decline. CoQ10 is required for energy generation, DNA health of egg and sperm, and overall health¹.

CoQ10 supplements exist in two forms- ubiquinone and ubiquinol, with ubiquinol having greater bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the two². This means it is more efficiently absorbed and used by the body².

CoQ10 is a fertility supplement powerhouse. In areas of mitochondrial and ovarian aging, CoQ10 supplementation shows improvements in the percentage of births with chromosomal defects³ (e.g. Down syndrome), egg cell (oocyte) quality⁴, and mitochondrial function^4,5. There is also evidence in the beneficial effects of CoQ10 on sperm count and sperm motility in infertile men⁶. This means CoQ10 supplementation is beneficial for both female and male infertility.

Antioxidants

Vitamin C, E, and selenium have all been researched and present strong positive relationship between supplementation and increased fertility. Vitamin C is related to an increase in endometrial thickness¹⁴, which results in greater rates of pregnancy¹⁵.

A study looking at selenium and vitamin E supplementation shows improved semen quality and sperm motility¹⁶. Generally, most male infertility cases are related to oxidative stress¹⁷. Supplements like L- carnitine, vitamin E, CoQ10, and vitamin C are useful in treating male infertility related to this cause¹⁷.

Omega 3

Our body cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids, so they are considered essential fatty acids. Omega- 3s are important for brain function, development, cell division and growth.

It also plays a major role in reducing inflammation and lowering the bad cholesterols. Couples (both male and female, and female alone) with higher free cholesterol levels tend to have lower fertility⁷.

A study looking at the relationship between omega- 3 and FSH levels indicates omega-3’s effect on the extension of reproductive lifespan⁸. Increase in FSH levels during reproductive years signals abnormalities, which could be due to poor ovarian reserve or other various causes. Omega-3 is shown to decrease FSH levels; indicating its effect on delaying ovarian aging and extending reproductive lifespan.

Folate (vs. Folic Acid)

Folate and folic acid are not the same. Folic acid is a synthetic form, its metabolism requires specific enzymes in the liver and tends to accumulate in the body and leads to various forms of disease. In comparison, folate occurs in nature and is metabolized in the intestines. Folate, at high doses, has shown to be related to lower rates of infertility and pregnancy loss²⁰.

Inositol

Inositol supplementation has been shown to be effective for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)¹⁸ and improves ovulatory function¹⁹. In patients with PCOS, improvements in clinical pregnancy rate increased to 33.3% versus 13.3% in the control¹⁸. Due to inositol’s effects on egg cell quality and maturation, improvements in pregnancy rate are seen in infertile women with poor egg cell quality¹⁹.

Vitex

Vitex increases progesterone by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibiting follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH). One of the main functions of progesterone with fertility is its role in the development of the embryo. Progesterone also stimulates the secretion of TH2 and reduces TH121. This process is necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy and a positive pregnancy outcome.

Probiotics

Probiotics are not only important for gut health, but also our overall health. Infertility is correlated with systemic inflammation. Probiotics help balance TH1 and TH2 which can reduce inflammation. It also improves vaginal microbiome, which results in a better environment for sperm to survive and make it to the egg. Strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium animalis, or Propionibacterium freudenreichii are effective in reducing inflammatory markers in humans²².

Iron

Iron is an important part of red blood cells in our body. Lack of iron leads to the development of anemia, resulting in deficiency in oxygen delivery to body cells and tissues. When the reproductive organs do not get enough oxygen, quality of the egg and sperm deteriorate, fetal development may be almost impossible if conception does occur. Iron supplementation continuously to show improvements in fertility, this includes iron supplements and non-heme iron from other sources²³.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which we get from the sun. However, some places don’t get enough sun to meet the required vitamin D levels we need. When compared to women with sufficient vitamin D level, those who are deficient and insufficient are less likely to get pregnant²⁴.

L-Carnitine

One of the most common causes of male fertility is impaired sperm motility. Studies show improvements in sperm count, motility, and concentration in males receiving L-carnitine treatment (vs. placebo and control)^{9, 10, 11}.

The epididymis (where sperms mature) contains elevated levels of L- carnitine comparing to other tissues in the body. L- carnitine is required by the cell mitochondria in energy generation and metabolism^{11, 12}. It also has antioxidant properties, which reduce free radicals, and results in increases in sperm forward motility and viability¹³.

Can’t I Just Get These From My Diet?

Food is certainly the foundation of health and the cornerstone of our approach, but when someone is deficient in a nutrient, simply increasing specific foods will unlikely have beneficial impact. For one, foods today are often less dense in nutrient levels than they used to be. But also for someone who is deficient and wishing to get high levels in a short amount of time, obtaining the sufficient amount of nutrients required from foods is nearly impossible unless an unrealistic amount is consumed.

Obtaining nutrients from foods is great for maintenance and long-term health, but for the purpose of treatment and expedited changes in one’s fertility status, higher controlled doses and concentrated forms are necessary for results to occur. This is why fertility supplements, when used appropriately, are crucial.

Need Help Choosing?

If you are trying to conceive, have been unsuccessful in conceiving, or have been diagnosed with infertility, there are many natural treatment options available. We all have different lifestyles, habits, and health conditions, so an individualized treatment plan is vital. A thorough examination looking at physical, emotional, and psychological health is crucial in determining factors involved in your fertility status. Come in for a personalized assessment and find out what’s keeping you from conceiving. If you are struggling with infertility, Awaken Life is here and happy to help!