Infertility can be a stressful situation for couples who have attempted to get pregnant numerous times. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 10 to 15 percent of couples are infertile in the U.S. There are several ways to help enhance your fertility, increasing your chances of conceiving. One way of doing so is supplementing your diet with a variety of vitamins.
Causes of Infertility
There are many factors that may result in infertility. For women, a hormonal imbalance can lead to a reduction in production of hormones such as luteinizing hormone, which is responsible for stimulating the ovaries to help release eggs. Also, some women may have uterine issues which prevent the sperm from traveling to the egg in the fallopian tube, according to the Mayo Clinic. With men and infertility, the cause tends to be a problem with the sperm, such as improper movement of sperm or low sperm concentration.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties -- making it a beneficial vitamin in helping to shield your body from free radicals. These unstable molecules are dangerous as they can harm your cells, organs and tissues, which can affect fertility rates. The Mayo Clinic says that men who suffer from low sperm counts should take vitamin E on a daily basis because it may help to improve fertilization rates. Vitamin E can be found in foods like corn, leafy greens like spinach and olives.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, like vitamin E, is also an antioxidant vitamin and assists in the prevention of free radical formation, along with blocking potential damage from them. The Mayo Clinic says that vitamin C may treat numerous conditions that can affect a woman's ability to conceive, such as an ovulation disorder. However, more research is needed to clarify these claims. Dietary sources of vitamin C include tomatoes, oranges and kiwi.
Selenium
Selenium also is an antioxidant. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, selenium may be able to provide a boost in fertility, especially for men, while also improving sperm production and quality. Selenium can be found in food sources such as eggs, liver, fish and red meat.
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