Which supplements positively influence fertility?

The journey to pregnancy can sometimes be more complicated than you think. Before an egg is successfully fertilised, securely implants, and grows into a healthy baby 9 months later, all conditions must be optimal. Often, the absence of pregnancy is unjustly attributed to the woman, while fertility problems or the lack of pregnancy can just as easily be due to the man. To avoid making it too heavy-hearted, it is beneficial to prepare both of you for conception and the subsequent pregnancy if you have an active desire to have children. Which supplements can you both take to optimally support fertility?

Your General Health and Fertility

The health of your future baby is influenced by your own health. Indeed, even the health of grandparents impacts your genes and thus the genes you pass on. By starting with the basics, both you and your partner, and therefore your baby, benefit from good health. Due to our current lifestyle, where we are strongly influenced by factors such as stress, lack of sleep, heavily processed food, and less exercise, the fertility of men and women has decreased in recent years. More and more couples are now undergoing medical treatment to achieve a successful pregnancy, while in some cases lifestyle adjustments can already have a positive effect.

In addition to general health advice, where eliminating chronic stress, improving sleep quality, eating healthier, exercising more, and reducing medication can help, supplementation can be useful in some cases. With the help of a doctor or orthomolecular therapist, you can determine which specific supplements your body needs. Of course, a doctor is also the only one who can truly determine if the absence of pregnancy ultimately has a medical cause and when help is needed in other areas.

Female Fertility

For women, age plays an important role in fertility. As a woman gets older, unfortunately, the quantity and quality of her eggs decrease. From the age of 30, women become less fertile, and the risk of miscarriage gradually increases. Fortunately, with a healthy lifestyle, you can support your fertility as best as possible, provided there are no clear medical reasons for the absence of ovulation or pregnancy.

For women, it is essential to take folic acid before trying to conceive. Preferably in the biologically active form, folate, for optimal absorption. Folate reduces the risk of neural tube defects in your unborn child. A stock of folate should already be established before pregnancy occurs. A special pregnancy multivitamin like the Prenatal provides the optimal ratio of vitamins and minerals important for this period in your life, and therefore the right amount of folate.

Below you will find some general lifestyle tips to improve fertility. Other general supplements for women include vitamins D and C to support the immune system; vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against oxidative damage from free radicals. Vitamin E and Zinc also act as antioxidants and contribute to the maintenance of healthy cells and tissues. Zinc contributes to normal female fertility.

Poor quality sperm or "weak sperm" can result from an unhealthy lifestyle, where drinking alcohol, smoking, and being overweight play a role, but the cause can also lie in medical issues.

Male Fertility

Male fertility declines less rapidly (than in women) with age, but like women, male fertility does decrease as he gets older. The main criterion for male fertility is the quality of the sperm, or sperm cells. The criteria for healthy sperm are:

• the number of sperm cells
• the motility of the sperm
• the shape of the sperm

Poor quality sperm or "weak sperm" can result from an unhealthy lifestyle, where drinking alcohol, smoking, and being overweight play a role, but the cause can also lie in medical issues. To support sperm quality, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, it is advisable to take extra selenium and zinc. Both minerals contribute to sperm production, and selenium also contributes to sperm motility. Viridian offers a special multi for men that supports male fertility with selenium and zinc, and also includes antioxidants like vitamins C and E for cell protection.

For both men and women, here is a summary of what you can do to improve fertility:

• Maintain a healthy day & night rhythm (sleep at least 7 to 8 hours).
• Try to avoid stress as much as possible.
• Engage in relaxation activities like meditation, yoga, listening to music, walking.
• Eat enough vegetables (350-500 grams per day), proteins, and healthy fats (omega 3).
• Exercise daily for at least half an hour to an hour (walking, gardening, cleaning).
• Participate in sports weekly.
• Drink enough water.
• Consume as little caffeine as possible (at most one cup of coffee per day) and avoid alcohol.
• Perhaps needless to say: stop smoking!
• Avoid being overweight or underweight.

If pregnancy does not occur despite lifestyle adjustments, it is advisable to seek help from a medical professional. The quality of the man's sperm cells can be examined, and it can be checked whether there are any causes in the woman for the absence of pregnancy. This may include hormonal disorders such as PCOS or endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, absence of ovulation, or problems with the uterine lining. Would you like advice on supplementation to support fertility or a desire to have children? Our orthomolecularly trained Health Coaches are ready to assist you on the chat or are happy to help you further in the store.

Written by: Myrthe Woest