According to a study published by the Institute of Nutrition, vitamins can aid fertility in both men and women. Vitamins can also help to decrease the risk of some birth defects. It is recommended to begin taking vitamins up to five months before conceiving. The right nutrients will help the body function to the best of its ability.
Folic Acid and B Vitamins
Fertility expert Dr. Marilyn Glenville Ph.D recommends taking folic acid together with vitamin B12 both before and during pregnancy. This helps to decrease the risk of spina bifida, a birth defect of the spine. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are also important in helping your body to manufacture healthy DNA and RNA to pass on to your baby. Dr. Glenville advises that it is not enough to take folic acid alone when you are trying to conceive. All of the B vitamins are important during pregnancy and the preconception period. Men should also take vitamin B12 as it improves low sperm counts.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps to protect the DNA inside the ova (eggs) from damage and promotes healthy ovulation. According to a study by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and published by the Institute of Nutrition, vitamin C deficiency may also be a factor in male infertility because it improves the movement of the sperm, prevents sperm from clumping together and also protects the DNA in the sperm from damage. Women are recommended to take 1,000 milligrams per day of vitamin C; men are recommended to take 500 milligrams per day.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells of the body. Dr. Glenville recommends vitamin E for men who are undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments with their partners because this vitamin has been found to increase fertilization rates in men by up to 10 percent. A dose of 15 milligrams of vitamin E per day is recommended for both men and women.
Vitamin A
Women who are trying to conceive are often mistakenly advised not to take vitamin A. Dr. Glenville advises that this confusion is due to the animal form of vitamin A called retinol that can cause birth defects when taken in high doses. However, the vegetable form of vitamin A, beta-carotene, is required for healthy eye, skin and organ development.
