Infertility is a common condition among couples. According to the Mayo Clinic, the problem is hard to treat and can also be frustrating if you want to start a family. To help promote healthy fertility, consider supplementing your diet with a selection of foods, all rich in nutrients.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important nutrient, as it is an antioxidant, helping to protect your body from free radicals, which can possibly cause damage. The Mayo Clinic says that vitamin C has been shown to increase fertility rates among women who may experience an ovulation disorder. For men and women who smoke regularly and are attempting to conceive, vitamin C is an essential vitamin, as it helps to naturalize chemicals found in cigars and smokes. Low intake of vitamin C can affect sperm health, forcing the cells to clump together, possibly reducing the chances of conception. Vitamin C is found in foods like broccoli, raspberries, strawberries, cabbage, pineapples, turnip greens, oranges and blueberries.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another antioxidant, aiding in the prevention of free radical damage. The Fertility Factor states that vitamin E is effective in increasing the chances of conceiving by 10 percent when women are on an in vitro fertilization treatment. Men who suffer from low sperm counts should take vitamin E on a daily basis, as it can help to increase their fertilization rates, according to the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin E is found in foods like vegetable oils, corn, seeds, yams and spinach.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine may be efficient in improving sperm motility in men, according to the Mayo Clinic. L-carnitine may also be able to help improve male sexual function by treating erectile dysfunction. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, low intake of L-carnitine in your diet may result in low sperm counts. Good food sources of L-carnitine include avocados, wheat, red meats, peanut butter, tempeh and fish.
B Vitamins
Many B vitamins can help to promote healthy fertility. Vitamin B-9 or "folic acid" is essential for conception, as low intake of this nutrient can result in neural tube defects or low birth weight, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin B-9 is found in foods like salmon, root vegetables and spinach. The Fertility Factor notes that vitamin B-6 or "pyridoxine" helps to increase fertility rates in women, while vitamin B-12 or "cobalamin" aids in the treatment of low sperm count in women. Vitamin B-6 is found in foods like brown rice, tuna and carrots, while vitamin B-12 is found in eggs, shell fish and pork.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin B12 (cobalamin); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- 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?
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin C
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- Fertility Factor: Vitamins
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Carnitine (L-carnitine); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
