What nutrients are important for fertility?
What nutrients are important when TTC?
All of the cellular processes in our body work as a machine and run on nutrients. Macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytonutrients are all required for every process in the body. Due to a number of factors including chronic stress, an increased need for detoxification due to pollution AND poorer soil quality, our bodies often don't have enough nutrients to go around for everything to function optimally.
Our bodies will always prioritise vital functions over non-vital functions, and as reproduction is a luxury and not a vital function in the body in terms of survival, the reproductive system is often last on the list to get nutrients, so we want to make sure we have a plentiful supply to service the whole body.
Planning to get pregnant naturally or via IVF? Make sure you're including these key nutrients
Vitamin D - good levels of vitamin D are associated with better fertility and pregnancy outcomes. During the winter months in the Northern hemisphere it’s impossible to get vitamin D via the sun (and is not adequate through food) so it’s important to supplement to maintain levels. Ideally getting levels checked and dosing based on results is the way forward.
Folate - getting good levels of dietary folate is really important for fertility and pregnancy. Its super important for DNA production, egg and sperm health and also appears to protect cells from damage from chemicals called BPAs in plastics which can damage them. Good sources include: Dark green leafy veggies, lettuce, nuts, avocado, beans
Carotenoids - these are really important for the health of the ovaries, particularly the corpus luteum which produces progesterone in the second half of the cycle and is key to a successful pregnancy. These are found in orange fruit and vege.
Vitamin C - this is really important for progesterone production after ovulation. Good sources include peppers, citrus, dark leafy greens, kiwis.
If you are struggling with infertility and think inflammation may be playing a part. Book a call to discuss how working with me 121 can help to address this.