Many men and women suffer from disorders or conditions that may decrease their chances of conceiving, something that is a great source of stress and frustration in many couples. However, couples who are looking to get pregnant can look into natural approaches such as supplementing their diet with vitamins known to promote fertility. As with starting any new treatments, consult your doctor first.
B Vitamins
Vitamins from the B group, such as vitamin B9, B6 and B12, are all essential for promoting healthy fertility. Vitamin B9 helps to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida and increases fertility rates in women. In men, vitamin B9 has been shown to help maintain and enhance the quality of sperm. Vitamin B6 increases fertility in men and vitamin B12 is beneficial for men who have low sperm count. B vitamins can be found in proteins such as meat, fish or eggs.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps to prevent sperm from clumping together. For couples who both smoke, vitamin C is essential, as it helps to flush out toxins and chemicals from your body that can make you sick and, in turn, hurt your chances of conceiving. Women who are on fertility medication such as clomiphene should increase their intake intake of vitamin C, as it can help to improve chances of conceiving while on the treatment. The Mayo Clinic says that vitamin C may help to treat ovulation disorders in women. The best sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits and cooked leafy greens.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can help to treat low sperm count and also increase fertility rates in men, according to the Mayo Clinic. Men should also consume high amounts of vitamin E when women are undergoing fertilization treatments, as it can help to increase your chances of conceiving by up to 10 percent. MedlinePlus says that vitamin E can be found in foods like spinach, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, nuts and corn.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine is important for men who are attempting to have children, as it increases the quality of sperm and also helps to prevent low sperm counts by keeping sperm healthy. Low levels of L-carnitine in your body may result in low sperm counts. The Mayo Clinic notes that fertility rates can be improved if you take a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and L-carnitine. Also, L-carnitine may treat erectile dysfunction. Red meat and dairy products are the best source for L-carnitine.
References
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin E
- Fertility Factor: Vitamins
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Carnitine (L-carnitine)
- MedlinePlus: B Vitamins
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin C
- Mayo Clinic: My husband and I have been trying unsuccessfully for more than a year to get pregnant. I've seen many ads for fertility herbs and supplements. Do they work?
