VITAMIN E IMPROVES FERTILITY
Introduction
Research shows that the pregnancy vitamin E can help to alleviate oxidative stress to better support healthy fertility in men and women.
The group of vitamin Es is amongst the most powerful antioxidants. These lipid-soluble compounds protect cellular membranes from free radical damage. This helps to support the immune system and protects the precious DNA throughout the body, including inside sperm cells.
Vitamin E is involved in enzymatic activities, neurological functions, and gene expression and is equally beneficial to male and female fertility.
Clinical Study: Boosting sperm motility with vitamin E
In a study investigating asthenospermia (poor sperm motility), researchers wanted to determine if vitamin E could improve motility[1]Suleiman SA, Ali ME, Zaki ZM, el-Malik EM, Nasr MA. Lipid peroxidation and human sperm motility: protective role of vitamin E. Journal of Andrology. 1996. 17(5): 530-537. A total of 87 men with asthenopermia participated in the study. A placebo was given to 35 males and 100 mg of vitamin E was administered to 52 males. The study duration was six months.
Results
The study found that
This study suggests that vitamin E supplementation can help to improve sperm health and motility. This antioxidant reduces oxidative stress to better protect sperm structural integrity. Men suffering from asthenospermia may be able to improve sperm quality through vitamin E supplementation.
Clinical Study: Female fertility and vitamin E
Female fertility can also be enhanced through vitamin E supplementation. A study published in 2012 investigated the effect of vitamin E on women undergoing procedures of controlled ovarian stimulation and IUI (intrauterine insemination)[3]Cicek N, Eryilmaz OG, Sarikaya E, Gulerman C, Genc Y. Vitamin E effect on controlled ovarian stimulation of unexplained infertile women. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2012. 29(4): … Continue reading. A total of 103 women participated in the research.
All the women in the study received clomiphene citrate, a drug that induces ovulation through stimulating the release of hormones. In addition, 53 of the patients received 400 IU/day vitamin E. The remaining 50 patients didn’t receive vitamin supplementation.
Results
The study found that
Researchers concluded that vitamin E administration may help women with unexplained infertility to improve endometrial response. This is believed to be a result of the antioxidant and anticoagulant properties of the vitamin. It’s possible that ovulation decline may be reduced by increasing vitamin E intake.
Boosting the availability of this vitamin may also enhance the success rate of assisted fertility treatments. Vitamin E is necessary for the production of cervical mucus and placenta maintenance. This may help to decrease the risk of birth defects and miscarriage through better supporting foetal development.
Top vitamin E foods
Good vitamin E sources include leafy greens, avocado, broccoli, asparagus, pumpkin, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, olive oil, and shellfish.
Summary
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. With reproductive processes susceptible to oxidative stress, this vitamin can help to safeguard fertility in both women and men.
Using vitamin E to improve male fertility
Vitamin E is a powerful male fertility enhancing nutrient for men and women, but it is also just one of more than a dozen fertility-enhancing nutrients. Clinical research studies have consistently shown that
VIDEO: How to improve sperm naturally with food
Sperm-enhancing male fertility nutrients
Dr. Kooner is Deputy Director of The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago and has been a Specialist in Fertility Treatment since 1999.
As well as the areas that the clinic specialises in general, he is particularly interested in managing oocyte donation, female same-sex couples, single women having sperm donation and those considering egg freezing.
Dr. Kooner regularly speaks at fertility meetings. He has published in national journals and constantly contributes to the fertility research and publications from Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago.
References
| ↑1 | Suleiman SA, Ali ME, Zaki ZM, el-Malik EM, Nasr MA. Lipid peroxidation and human sperm motility: protective role of vitamin E. Journal of Andrology. 1996. 17(5): 530-537 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Jones R, Mann T. Lipid Peroxidation in Spermatozoa. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 1973. 184(1074): 103-107 |
| ↑3 | Cicek N, Eryilmaz OG, Sarikaya E, Gulerman C, Genc Y. Vitamin E effect on controlled ovarian stimulation of unexplained infertile women. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2012. 29(4): 325-328 |
| ↑4 | Tremellen K. Oxidative stress and male infertility-a clinical perspective. Human Reproduction Update. 2008. 14(3): 243-58 |
| ↑5 | Imhof M, Lackner J, Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Riedl C. Improvement of sperm quality after micronutrient supplementation. e-SPEN Journal. 2012. 7(1): e50-e53 |
Very useful blog to read. Following are some useful foods that you must intake during your pregnancy-
Eggs
Beans or Lentils
Nuts
Chicken
Milk, cheese and yogurt (for those who can tolerate dairy)
Vitamins are Ideal for protecting your immune system and helps you fight tiredness.