Fertility is a complex condition, and there is no magic fertility pill. However, some vitamins and supplements, when used in moderation, can support a healthy lifestyle, which is essential for fertility. As a consumer, you must be cautious when using herbal supplements and vitamins, because most have little or no scientific evidence backing up advertised claims. Unlike drugs, nutritional supplements are not reviewed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that the supplement is safe and actually works. Vitamins that have some scientific evidence supporting claims of fertility benefit are listed below.
Daily Multivitamin
Data from the Nurses Health Study II was analyzed by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health to determine whether the use of multivitamins by women who were attempting to conceive was beneficial in lowering the risk of ovulatory infertility. Ovulatory infertility includes problems with the normal monthly release of a ripe egg from the ovary (ovulation) and abnormal (absent or irregular) menstrual cycles. The Nurses Study II is a huge, ongoing, federally funded study of a large population of nurses over their lifetimes. Over 18,000 married pre-menopausal women who were attempting to conceive between 1991 and 1999 were asked to complete questionnaires regarding their health habits, including their use of multivitamins. This Harvard study found that women who consumed at least three multivitamins a week containing Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid and niacin had a lower risk of ovulatory infertility and were more likely to conceive.
Folic Acid
Some of the fertility benefits from multivitamin use found in the Nurses II study was likely due to the folic acid contained in multivitamins. In another large review of published research studies looking at beneficial effects of folic acid, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that all women trying to conceive should take between 400 and 800 micrograms of folic acid daily in order to prevent neural-tube defects, which result in devastating birth defects. To be effective, folic acid use should be started before you become pregnant. That's because the neural tube develops in the very early embryo, usually before you realize you are pregnant. Folic acid may be beneficial for promoting fertility, but it clearly is vital in preventing neural-tube defects when you conceive.
Fertilityblend
Doctors and scientists from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Stanford University School of Medicine published a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Fertilityblend, a proprietary nutritional supplement of Chesteberry, green tea, L-arginine, vitamins E, B6, B12, folic acid and minerals (magnesium, zinc and selenium), suggesting that their nutritional supplement may be beneficial in normalizing menstrual cycles and promoting fertility in women. The manufacturers warn that Fertilityblend should not be used with ovarian-stimulation drugs due to the risk of side effects from drug-supplement interactions. This study of 53 women is encouraging, but larger clinical trials by scientists without a commercial interest in this product would be welcomed. The manufacturers of Fertilityblend also have a formulation for men, but studies are ongoing.
Antioxidant Vitamins
Many scientific studies show increased sperm count, motility and percent normal sperm when men use vitamins or minerals with antioxidant function (such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc) or eat a diet rich in carotenoids (found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens and tomatoes). Other studies failed to show a significant positive effect, but most studies looking at the effects of antioxidants on sperm quality are small studies with fewer than 100 subjects. Some studies were confounded by other lifestyle variables, like smoking, which by itself has a significant negative effect on sperm quality. Co-enzyme Q10 vitamin is another antioxidant vitamin that has some support in the scientific literature for a positive effect on sperm motility. Co-enzyme Q10 plays a important role in energy metabolism and is normally active in the testes. A larger randomized controlled study of 150 women showed women also may experience a fertility benefit from taking antioxidants. Women taking 750 mg/day of Vitamin C for six months had a higher fertility rate and increased progesterone levels than the placebo group.
More is Not Better
Never taken more than the recommended daily dose of any vitamin. Some vitamins, especially those that are stored in fat, can become concentrated and have toxic effects. Your primary source for vitamins should be a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. If you are seeing a doctor for fertility treatments, it is important that you mention the type and daily dose of any vitamins and supplements you are taking so that side effects due to drug-supplement interactions can be avoided.
References
- Folic Acid for the prevention of Infant Neural Tube Defects: US preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
- Use of multivitamins, intake of B vitamins, and risk of ovulatory infertility
- Double-blind,placebo controlled study of Fertilityblend: a nutritional supplement for improving fertility in Women
