We know that vitamins are
essential for keeping our bodies working properly -- they help regulate the
body's functions and keep everything operating smoothly -- so it seems logical
that they would play a role in one of the body's most complicated processes:
reproduction. But can taking certain vitamins actually increase the chances of
getting pregnant and having a successful birth? In other words, can they
increase fertility? While most studies on the link between
vitamins and fertility are inconclusive, some findings do suggest a connection
between getting healthy amounts of certain vitamins and the ability to
conceive.
One of the vitamins most commonly
linked to fertility is vitamin C. Vitamin C is sometimes recommended for women
trying to conceive because it can increase the level of the hormone
progesterone.
Progesterone does several things: It helps regulate the menstrual
cycle, it can help thicken the lining of the uterus and it can reduce anxiety. Synthetic progesterone -- progestin -- is
often given to women who are having difficulty conceiving or carrying a baby to
term. Some naturally good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli
and green peppers.
Like vitamin C, B vitamins have
also been linked to raising progesterone levels and regulating the menstrual
cycle. One particular B vitamin, folic acid, or vitamin B9, is frequently
recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Folic
acid helps ensure that a baby's spinal cord develops properly and can reduce
the risk of certain birth defects. This important vitamin is something you'll
find in most prenatal vitamins, and it can be found naturally in fruits, beans
and leafy vegetables. Some studies have also found links
between insufficient levels of vitamin D and infertility. The good news is that
vitamin D is easy to come by in dairy products or by simply spending some time
in the sun -- exposure to sunlight causes the body to manufacture vitamin D.
As we know, making a baby takes a
contribution from both a woman (an egg) and a man (sperm), so the ability to
produce a baby can depend on the fertility and health of both the man and the
woman. Not sure what vitamins you need to improve fertility? Try a
multivitamin.
Vitamins and Male Fertility
For men, three major factors
affect fertility, and they're all related to sperm:
- Sperm count - the number of sperm
- Sperm motility - the ability for the sperm to move
- Sperm quality - health and vitality of the sperm
And this makes sense, because a
lot of healthy sperm that can move quickly have a better chance at fertilizing
an egg.
Several vitamins have been shown
to increase sperm count, including vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E and folic
acid. (The minerals selenium and zinc can increase sperm count, as well.)
Because a folic acid deficiency is often related to low sperm count or poor
sperm quality in men, taking a folic acid supplement can increase the amount of
healthy sperm.
Vitamin C and vitamin B12 are
good for sperm count, motility and quality. Serious vitamin C deficiencies can
sometimes result in damaged sperm, while vitamin B12 is known to promote
healthy DNA. A vitamin that's thought to be especially good for male fertility
is vitamin E. One study conducted with men who had high sperm counts but low
rates of fertilization found that, when they were given vitamin E supplements
for a month, their fertilization rates increased by 10 percent.
While we don't know for sure if
all of these vitamins have a direct impact on helping you make a baby, we do
know that overall good health can increase the chances of conceiving and having
a healthy pregnancy. And besides, making sure you get the right vitamins and
nutrients contributes to overall good health. Combined with a healthy
lifestyle, vitamins and proper nutrition can go a long way toward making your
body baby-ready.
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