Nutrition and fertility: How do our eating habits affect the likelihood of conceiving?
The probability of conceiving for a healthy young couple in the first month is around 25%. By the end of the first year, approximately 85% of couples are successful; the remaining 15% are diagnosed with infertility.
Infertility has many known causes, such as ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, and many other factors that decrease the chance of pregnancy, such as advanced age or low ovarian reserve. While some of these factors cannot be changed, others, such as body weight and lifestyle habits, are modifiable.
Patients frequently request guidance on the ideal diet to increase their chances of success and carrying a pregnancy to term. A recent review summarizes the available literature on the reproductive benefits of diets and dietary supplements.This review examines the potential benefits of consuming certain micronutrients, macronutrients, and dietary patterns. From this review, we can draw the following conclusions:
Folic acid: Folic acid is important for germ cell production and pregnancy. The recommended daily dose to prevent neural tube defects is 400–800 mcg. Women who take multivitamins containing folic acid are less likely to experience anovulation, and the time it takes to conceive is reduced.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D can affect fertility through receptors found in the ovaries and endometrium. Extremely low vitamin D levels (<20 ng/ml) are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Some reports suggest that women with adequate vitamin D levels (>30 ng/ml) are more likely to conceive after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment compared to those with insufficient (20–30 ng/ml) or deficient (<20 ng/ml) vitamin D levels. These findings, however, are not conclusive.
Carbohydrates: Dietary carbohydrates affect glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, and through these mechanisms, can impact reproduction. This impact is more pronounced in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In women with PCOS, reducing the glycemic load improves insulin sensitivity and ovulatory function. Whole grains have antioxidant effects and also improve insulin sensitivity, which positively influences reproduction.
Omega-3 supplements: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce the risk of endometriosis. Increased levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
Proteins and dairy: Some reports suggest that dairy protein intake decreases ovarian reserve. Other reports suggest better outcomes with assisted reproductive technologies associated with higher dairy consumption. However, meat, fish, and dairy products can also serve as vehicles for environmental contaminants that may negatively affect the embryo. On the other hand, fish has been shown to have positive effects on fertility.
Dietary approach: In general, a Mediterranean diet (high intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken and olive oil) is recommended among women diagnosed with infertility.
In general, women trying to conceive are advised to follow a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables that provides all the necessary nutrients. While vitamin, mineral, and micronutrient supplements are commonly used, they should not replace natural food sources of vitamins and trace elements.
Furthermore, we remind you of the importance of avoiding the consumption of substances that are potentially harmful to pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine.
In addition, exercise is recommended to maintain a healthy weight and avoid overweight and obesity. Obese women are less likely to conceive and more likely to experience pregnancy complications.
Unfortunately, there are very few studies available to guide our recommendations to patients. Most of the available literature is based on retrospective data. Therefore, prospective, randomized studies are urgently needed to investigate the association between nutrition and fertility, as well as the influence of diet on pregnancy outcomes.
This text is based on the original article by Peter Kovacs "Food and Fertility: What Should Women Consume When Trying to Conceive?" – Medscape – Dec 06, 2018.
In this other blog post, we share with you six tips based on medical research to improve our diet: What can we do to make our diet healthy and balanced?