Fish Oil & Fertility

Fish oil is derived from the tissues of oily fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, eel, and mackerel. The oil is composed of two fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, collectively known as omega-3s. Omega-3s are believed to protect against or improve a variety of medical conditions, from heart disease to schizophrenia to infertility. Before taking fish oil supplements, however, it is essential to consult your health care provider as they can have negative side effects in certain patients.

Benefits for Fertility

Though research is sparse, it is generally believed that incorporating fish oil into your diet, either through natural sources or soft-gel supplements, can have a positive impact on fertility. Naturopath Judith Fiore noted in an article for the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada that omega-3s have been demonstrated to improve blood flow to the uterus and may increase pregnancy rates in infertile women. In addition, one 2009 study led by Mohammed Reza Safarinejad of Beheshti University, published in "Clinical Nutrition," showed that 150 infertile men had lower levels of omega-3s in their sperm than fertile men. While additional research is warranted, researchers suggested that the addition of omega-3s to the diets of infertile men could prove beneficial.

Benefits in Pregnancy

In addition to improving fertility, fish oil is believed to improve pregnancy length. Dr. Barry Sears of "Zone Living," says that this is good news for women who have suffered from infertility due conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which carries higher rates of miscarriage. Dr. Sears notes that studies have shown women who supplemented their diet with fish oil are likely to carry their babies longer than women who do not.

Dosage

Judith Fiore notes that the amount of fish oil a person takes for fertility should be determined by a doctor or naturopath. Medline Plus, the website of the National Library of Medicine, notes that 3 g of fish oil or less daily is considered safe. Women taking fish oil to preserve their pregnancies, however, may take up to 5 g of fish oil daily, with the consent of their health-care providers.

Side Effects

According to MayoClinic.com, consuming fish oil long-term can cause a decrease in vitamin E. It is therefore recommended to take vitamin E supplements while taking fish oil supplement, unless the supplement itself has added vitamin E. Fish oil may also cause bad breath, belching, nausea, rash and loose stools.

Warning

Some oily fish can be tainted with harmful containments, such as methylmercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Mayo Clinic.com notes that methylmercury tends to accumulate in fish meat rather than fish oil, so you should be take particular care in eating fish, rather than ingesting supplements. Fish oil can also cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to fish, and may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly when high doses are consumed.