See how dietary supplementation can improve fertility –

Did you know that it is possible to improve the quality of reproductive cells through food supplementation and thus increase the chances of pregnancy?

According to doctor Rodrigo Rosaspecialist in human reproduction and clinical director of Clínica Mater Prime, in São Paulo, in women, proper nutrition helps the eggs and, in men, reduces the risk of sperm problems.

“We know that a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have and these are her most precious and valuable asset in terms of fertility. Eggs need to be nourished in order to mature, ovulate, fertilize, implant and ultimately conceive a baby. Likewise, good nutrition lowers the risk of sperm dysfunction,” she explains.

“To improve female and male fertility, some micronutrients are essential. Healthy eggs, sperm and uterus enhance the chances of pregnancy, reduce the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction”, adds the doctor.

In order to improve fertility, Dr. Rodrigo Rosa clarifies that it is essential to have a balanced diet.

“But it is important to be clear: there is no miracle capsule and not a single isolated food that will make a patient pregnant. What exists is a balance so that there is no deficiency or excess. The food context and a healthy lifestyle are key, ”she says.

Supplementation of pregnant or trying women with folic acid alone may not be ideal, as it is essential to take into account the importance of other vitamins and other micronutrients (mineral salts, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids) for fertility.

“About 40% of women do not metabolize the acid in the active form, called methylfolate, due to mutations in the genes that encode an enzyme called MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase). This metabolic pathway is complex and, in fact, other B vitamins are essential for its perfect functioning. So it’s not enough to just use the methylfolate without the other vitamins,” she explains.

“Adequate supplementation should include other micronutrients and this prescription should be individualized (each patient profile requires different doses and different compounds). An important tip: for better absorption of vitamins, the ideal is to take those that are water soluble (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 and C) on an empty stomach, only with water, and the liposoluble ones (A, D, E and K) with meals”, he says.

The doctor lists some of these vitamins.

– (Dids/Pexels)

Coenzyme Q10: The indicated dose is between 100mg and 600mg. “Among the main supplements, coenzyme Q10 is certainly the main one to improve the quality of eggs, especially in women over 35 years old, with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Present in all the cells of our body, participating in energy production processes, coenzyme Q10 plays an important role in in vitro fertilization, as it is related to better quality embryos, especially in older women”, reports Dr. . Rodriguez Rosa.

Omega 3: Important for men and women, Omega 3 is indicated for use during pregnancy, and the recommended dose is 500mg to 3g.

“The fatty acid. present in deep-sea fish, such as salmon, it is a source of DHA and EPA, helping to balance female hormones and improve sperm morphology. It is important during pregnancy, as it helps in the baby’s cognitive development”, says the specialist.

Resveratrol: According with the doctor. Rodrigo Rosa, resveratrol is interesting for women diagnosed with endometriosis, as it helps to reduce the inflammatory process. “The powerful antioxidant from grape seeds is an immune system modulator with high anti-inflammatory power,” he clarifies.

Zinc: “Zinc is present in animal protein, in chestnuts and walnuts, it is a cofactor of thousands of enzymatic reactions and DNA synthesis, replication and cell repair. Zinc improves sperm function and its deficiency is associated with miscarriage, congenital malformations and chromosomal aberrations”, explains the doctor.

Selenium: Relevant to the reproductive process, selenium can be found in nuts, meat and eggs. “This mineral, which is part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (a powerful antioxidant), can also be supplemented to improve sperm activity and is also recommended for women with PCOS and endometriosis”.

Glutathione, PQQ, L-Carnitine, N-acetylcysteine, L-arginine and myoinositol are other vital micronutrients. “Women who take more adequate supplementation have higher pregnancy rates. The use of antioxidants in adequate doses also helps to reduce sperm DNA fragmentation (which translates into improved semen quality)”, says Dr. Rodriguez Rosa.

He also warns about the multivitamins available on the market, which, according to the expert, do not have all the micronutrients and the ideal doses for trying and pregnant women. “Most have underdoses and would have to supplement with other vitamins. The most typical example is that of Vitamin D in these compounds, usually very low, ”he says.

“The international formulas, sold in the USA and Europe, are a little more complete and in larger doses. For women, there are specifics for each condition. For men, all must contain B vitamins, high dose vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, some also contain lycopene, also essential to help with semen quality. As we do not have these vitamins in Brazil and even so they are not so individualized, I prefer to prescribe manipulated vitamins adjusted for each patient profile and each stage of the process (before egg collection it is different from vitamins during pregnancy). But the best way to maximize your chances will always be to eat healthy”, informs the doctor.

Lastly, Dr. Rodrigo Rosa mentions the importance of having medical advice to maintain an adequate dietary routine and decide on supplementation.

“When we talk about a fertility diet, anti-inflammatory nutrition is fundamental and, in the same way that it should be done with supplements, the diet must be personalized with the follow-up of a nutritionist”, he concludes.