Vitamins are needed to keep your reproductive organs functioning at an optimal level. They can improve your fertility and aid in conception. Jorge Chavarro, Walter Willett and Patrick Skerrett, authors of the book "Fertility Diet," recommend that you and your partner begin taking vitamins approximately five months before trying to conceive for the best results. Certain vitamins along with regular exercise can boost your chances of successfully conceiving the child of your dreams.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that boosts immune system function and protects your body from infections, viruses and diseases that can affect fertility, according to Niels Lauersen, M.D., PH.D., and Collette Bouchez, authors of the book "Getting Pregnant: What You Need to Know Right Now." Lauersen and Bouchez report that vitamin A also supports cellular division and differentiation, balances your hormones, increases fertility and improves sperm quality and production. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin A is 900 mcg for men and 700 mcg for women. Foods rich in vitamin A include egg substitute, milk, cheese, cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, spinach, mangoes, peaches, peas, broccoli, carrots and cantaloupe.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin that improves fertility, aids in cellular reproduction, helps transport blood and oxygen to your reproductive organs, fights off infections that can affect your fertility, increases sperm production, repairs damaged tissues, balances your hormones and lowers your risk of a luteal phase defect, notes Toni Weschler, author of the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement and Reproductive Health." The recommended daily dosage for vitamin B-6 is 1.3 mg for women and men. Foods rich in vitamin B-6 include ready-to-eat cereals, spinach, avocados, bananas, potatoes, soybeans, peanut butter, salmon, tomato juice and instant oatmeal.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and protects your body from damaging free radicals that can cause infertility, according to Steve Blake, author of the book "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified." Blake explains that vitamin C also prevents sperm agglutination, strengthens blood vessels, regulates ovulation, accelerates the healing process, supports healthy cervical mucus, increases fertility in women who take fertility medications and improves sperm count, quality and mobility. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin C is 1,000 mg for women and men. Foods rich in vitamin C include cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, grapefruits, oranges, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and spinach.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that improves immune system function and prevents free radicals from damaging sperm, according to Michael Zimmermann, author of the book "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease." Zimmerman notes that vitamin E also repairs damaged cells, improves sperm quality, supports healthy cervical mucus, regulates ovulation and increases the chances of conception by men who have low sperm counts. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin E is 15 mg for women and men. Foods rich in vitamin E include almonds, wheat germ, tomatoes, spinach, kiwi, mangoes, corn oil, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds and peanut butter.
References
- "Fertility Diet"; Jorge Chavarro, Walter C. Willett and Patrick J. Skerrett; 2007
- "Male Fertility and Infertility"; T. D. Glover and C. L. Barratt; 1999
- "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease"; Michael Zimmermann; 2001
- "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified"; Steve Blake; 2007
- "Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement and Reproductive Health"; Toni Weschler; 2006
- "Getting Pregnant: What You Need to Know Right Now"; Niels H. Lauersen, M.D., PH.D., and Collette Bouchez; 2000
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