Becoming a Mom: The Science of Nutritional Supplements to Boost A Woman’s Fertility

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Along with providing information on whether fertility supplements might be right for you, this article also links to Fullscript where you can buy supplements that boost fertility online through Fullscript’s secure healthcare formulary and get free shipping and 20% off the retail price of professional-grade supplements.

Infertility is a challenging issue, affecting about 10 to 15% of couples, and its prevalence is growing [PMID: 22275473]. It has many causes arising from conditions in both men and women. This article aims to focus on female fertility, exploring various factors that contribute to infertility in women and investigating the potential benefits of nutritional supplements in enhancing fertility.

We will delve into scientific research exploring the effectiveness of specific supplements, including prenatal vitamins with folic acid, Myoinositol and D-Chiroinositol, N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Coenzyme CQ10 (CoQ10), L-Carnitine, Melatonin, Omega 3, and Vitamin D, to provide a comprehensive understanding of their roles in fertility enhancement.

What Causes Infertility?

Medical causes of infertility are beyond the scope of this article. They include causes like pelvic adhesions, tubal infertility, and uterine and cervical abnormalities. Endometriosis is also a cause of infertility and there has been some exciting news recently about the possible cause. [PMID: 37316604]. Some of the causes that can be affected by nutritional intake and supplements are the following:

• Hormone dysfunction: Hormonal imbalances often contribute to changes in ovulation rates or may stop ovulation altogether. A complicated series of hormonal rhythms are needed each month to produce an egg. A physician can test levels of hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone. They can prescribe treatment for any imbalances that might be preventing conception.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Hormonal dysfunction is very common for women with PCOS. Please refer to our article on Fertility in PCOS.
• Low Vitamin D: Low serum vitamin D is correlated with endocrine disturbances. [PMID: 22275473]
• Poor Egg Quality: Poor egg quality is thought to contribute to infertility, especially as women age through their 30’s and into their 40’s. Improving the quality and maturation of oocytes (egg cells) is also important for improving pregnancy rates. [PMID: 28544572]
• Endocrine Disruptors: Research suggests that endocrine disruptors, which are present in everything from plastic food packaging to air pollution, are correlated with increased rates of miscarriage, and reduced live birth rates. [NBK576379]
• Poor Sleep: Infertility has also been correlated with poor sleep [PMC6125064], and it is possible that stress is also a factor. [PMC6016043]
• Stress: Elevated stress is associated with infertility. [PMC5632691][PMC3984126]

Supplement Strategies to Boost Fertility

Based on current research findings, the ingredients in the products below have been shown to be effective in improving a variety of factors associated with female fertility. [PMC8541636, PMC9308390]

When you purchase linked products presented on this page, Supplement Sciences, LLC receives affiliate fees so that our dietitians can continue to create great content.

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Order Supplements For Fertility

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Start With The Best Foundational Fertility Supplement

Add Optional Specific Supplements

If you are just beginning to think about pregnancy and have many reproductive years ahead, the supplement above may be a great option. A more comprehensive supplement approach is appropriate if you have a history of infertility or PCOS. Although the cost is higher and most people don’t like taking more capsules, when you combine multiple separate supplements, you gain the ability to adjust the quantities of each of the research-proven ingredients to the levels used in the studies. For women having difficulty conceiving and who want to know about every supplement that has been shown to increase fertility rates, the following protocol is offered. Researchers have reviewed the various studies and compiled the minimal effective dosages for each nutrient. [PMC8541636] Omega 3 was not evaluated as part of this trial, but there is evidence that it improves fertility as well.

Myoinositol & D Chiro Inositol

A great deal of research has been done on Myoinositol and D Chiro Inositol. Here are some of the major findings:

• In one study, researchers gathered data from several controlled trials where women with PCOS were either given myoinositol or a placebo. The analysis showed that myoinositol could improve insulin resistance in women with PCOS and it also seemed to increase estrogen levels. [PMID: 29052180]
• The combined therapy myo-inositol plus D-chiro-inositol, rather than D-chiro-inositol, is able to improve IVF outcomes. [PMID: 23708322]
• In another study, researchers found that a Myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol combination was more effective after three months. So, the combination of Myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol is the better approach for overweight women with PCOS. [PMID: 22774396]
• Research on women undergoing various high-tech fertility treatments has shown that myo-inositol improved pregnancy rates. Reference: (3)(11)(13)(21)
• The 40:1 myo-inositol/D-chiro-inositol plasma ratio is able to restore ovulation in PCOS patients: comparison with other ratios [PMID: 31298405]
• Myo-inositol and melatonin have been shown to be synergistic in their ability to improve oocyte and embryo quality in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments. [PMID: 26507336]
• Typical Research Dose-Myoinositol: 2000-6000 mg

Vitamin D And Fertility

In a review of the studies, researchers summarized the findings on Vitamin D as it relates to fertility. [PMID:22275473] Here are some of their findings:

• Research shows that vitamin D is involved in women’s fertility, including how successful in vitro fertilization, and in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• In women with PCOS, low vitamin D levels are linked with being overweight, metabolic problems, and hormone disturbances. Taking vitamin D might help improve the regularity of periods and reduce metabolic problems in these women.
• Vitamin D might affect the production of sex hormones (like estrogen and progesterone) in healthy women.
• For men, having enough vitamin D is linked with good sperm health and hormone balance.

Other research showed that when women undergoing “assisted reproductive technology” had supplementation to correct their low Vitamin D status, their pregnancy rates, and live birth rates in vitamin D-deficient individuals. [PMID: 29149263]

NOTE: Each person’s dosage should be based on their individual lab results. Vitamin D Labs can easily be ordered online using our affiliate link or by consulting your physician.

Carnitine

Oocytes, or egg cells, have a lot more mitochondria than most other cells – between 100,000 to 200,000. They need a lot of energy to grow and function well. That critical energy is generated within the powerhouses of our cells known as the mitochondria. If these mitochondria aren’t working well, it can cause problems with energy which results in issues with fertility.

CoQ10 and Fertility

Ovulation is an energy-intense process, so a woman’s egg cells contain more mitochondria (power centers) than any other type of cell.  CoQ₁₀ plays a crucial role in energy production inside each of those mitochondria. As women age, the production of CoQ₁₀ decreases and egg quality declines.

Researchers found that pretreatment with 600 mg/day CoQ10 improves ovarian response to stimulation and embryological measures in young women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization who had poor ovarian reserves. [PMC5870379] The typical research dose used in studies was 600mg per day.

N Acetyl Cysteine In Fertility

N Acetyl Cysteine, or NAC, provides a highly bioavailable source of the amino acid cysteine. We need cysteine as a building block for our cells to make glutathione. Glutathione is the master antioxidant we make to protect cells from damage, support the immune system, detoxify the body from harmful substances, and help in energy metabolism and cell regeneration.

So, NAC improves glutathione levels, which increases antioxidant capacity within the egg cells. This can have a positive effect on oocytes by reducing oxidative stress and improving their quality, ultimately enhancing fertility outcomes in women trying to conceive. In patients who received various fertility treatments, 1200 – 1800 mg NAC improved fertility rates. [PMID: 26291797]

Researchers reviewed the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were trying to conceive. They reviewed eight randomized studies involving 910 women with PCOS who received either NAC or placebo. The findings showed that women who took NAC had higher chances of achieving a live birth, getting pregnant, and experiencing ovulation compared to those who received a placebo. [PMC4306416]

Magnesium And Fertility

Magnesium is a critical mineral in the human body that is involved in about 80% of known metabolic reactions in cells. It is currently estimated that about 60% of adults do not achieve the acceptable dietary intake (ADI) and 45% of Americans are magnesium deficient [PMC6163803]

Magnesium is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Magnesium combined with vitamin E or zinc-calcium-vitamin D significantly improves glucose and lipid metabolism in women with PCOS. Magnesium intake alone did not lead to a significant improvement, but magnesium combined with other supplements (vitamin E, zinc, zinc-calcium-vitamin D) significantly improved markers of inflammation, insulin sensitivity, blood fat levels. [PMC9389579]

In a controlled study, 60 women with PCOS received either a daily magnesium supplement containing 250 mg of magnesium oxide or a placebo for eight weeks. The magnesium group showed an increase in luteinizing hormone levels, a hormone that plays a critical role in the menstrual cycle and ovulation. There was also a decrease in testosterone levels and an increase in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels.[PMC9027569]

Magnesium Drink Mixes

For those who prefer to mix magnesium into a drink, the Natural Calm line of flavored magnesium supplements will be the way to go.

Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.