Fertility supplements i.e. vitamins and minerals to
enhance your fertility the natural way is a choice
you can make. Taking care of yourself before you get
pregnant is important for you and your baby-to-be.
Experts recommend 3-4 months as the window period
for pre-conceptual care to be effective because it
takes that much time for sperms to be made and for
eggs to develop from its follicle. Another point worth
noting is that women are already 2 weeks pregnant
before they miss a period so eating right and taking
fertility supplements before conceiving is very important.
Nutritionists have concluded that slight variation
to minerals and vitamins can interfere with egg and
sperm production or lead to a miscarriage.
Fertility supplements can be effective in
rebalancing your hormones and improving your overall
health and fertility. Taking a good daily
multivitamin and mineral can double the chances of
conception and help in fertility according to research
as findings suggest that it does help produce better
quality eggs. It may take several months of supplementation
before you reap fruitful results. Here is a rundown
on the fertility supplement dosage to take before
trying to become pregnant. Check with your gynecologist
on a good prenatal supplement as all the necessary
vitamins and minerals will be in appropriate doses
suitable for the pregnancy phase. Then you may add
in other individual nutrients on top to meet the required
daily dose.
Vitamin A: 5000 IU (international units)
This vitamin contains important antioxidants to fight
toxins. It is also important for DNA replication.
It is important to have good levels of vitamin A at
the time of conception since it is vital to the developing
embryo. Prenatal vitamins contain the vegetable version
of vitamin A or beta carotene. This is a healthy form
of vitamin A and should be taken to benefit you and
your coming baby. Be sure to avoid animal form of
vitamin A or retinol. An excess of vitamin A can be
damaging to the growing fetus.
Vitamin B: B1 (1.5 mg), B2 (1.6 mg), B3 (17
mg), B6 (2.2 mg), Folic (400 mcg-1mg), B12 (2.2 mcg),
Pantothenic acid (5 mg), Biotin (35 mcg)
This family of vitamins is vital for maintaining a
healthy nervous system, for the production of DNA
and for proper hormonal balance. Most prenatal vitamins
contain them. They regulate hormone balance, especially
progesterone. Research shows that B vitamins raise
progesterone levels in women with irregular periods
and consequently boost their fertility.
B12 has been instrumental in improving male sperm
count. It is critical to red blood cell formation
and nervous system function. Insufficiency may cause
anemia and affect ovulation.
Folic is very important and all women are advised
to take it when planning to have a family. It reduces
the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube birth
defects and helps in the prevention of cervical dysplasia.
Folic is also important for the formation of healthy
cells, which is necessary for DNA production and cell
division.
Vitamin B6 helps the body metabolize excess estrogen,
produce sufficient progesterone and lower prolactin
levels. Deficiency in B6 can cause miscarriage to
occur as estrogen levels shoot up and progesterone
levels drop.
B2 helps in the thyroid function which is necessary
for ovulatory and menstrual health.
B1 is necessary for proper metabolism and is vital
for the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats
and generally aids digestion. During pregnancy it
helps in fetal growth.
Vitamin C: 500-1000 mg
Another important antioxidant, it helps your body
fight infection and strengthens your immunity. It
is needed to assimilate iron; vitamin C helps in the
absorption of this mineral so it should be taken with
iron. In right doses vitamin C is known to aid in
the ovulation process. However an excess can interfere
with ovulation since research shows that it can dry
up cervical mucus and prevent sperm from reaching
the egg. It becomes especially important for people
who smoke.
Vitamin D: 400 IU
Vitamin D is required for the necessary metabolism
of calcium and phosphorus. Excessive amounts can result
in birth defects.
Vitamin E: 200 IU
Also termed the anti-sterility vitamin, it has been
linked to increased fertility in both men and women.
It is a potent antioxidant that balances hormone production
and ensures regular ovulation. Vitamin E plays a vital
role in the reproductive function. It aids in the
production of cervical mucus, boosts the sperm quality
and helps in preserving your fertility longer.
Iron: 30 mg of ferrous fumarate
Iron is responsible for the production of hemoglobin.
It is important to maintain good levels of iron at
the preconception stage since baby will draw on your
reserve of irons during pregnancy. Iron taken with
vitamin C (this vitamin increases its absorption power)
improves fertility. Insufficiency can cause anemia
which in turn will interfere with menstrual function
and ovulation. Iron supplement can cause constipation
so up your water and fiber intake.
Zinc: 30 mg
An antioxidant, this mineral plays a vital role in
normal cell division. In pregnant women it is important
for the development of fetus. Zinc is needed for the
proper processing of genetic materials. A lack can
prove damaging to the FSH and LH hormones and interfere
with the thyroid function as well. Deficiency can
lead to an increased risk of infertility. Zinc plays
a major role in sperm motility and in females it helps
in the proper balance of estrogen and progesterone.
Calcium: 1200 mcg
Deficiency may create ovulation problems. This mineral
is also required for strong bones and teeth. It is
important to build reserves as your baby will draw
from it during your pregnancy.
Selenium: 100 mcg
Another antioxidant, selenium minimizes the risk of
miscarriage and prevents damage to the sperm. It helps
prevent chromosome from breaking and damage to the
DNA which are responsible for birth defects and miscarriages.
Women deficient in this mineral are likely to face
fertility problems. Again, selenium helps sperm production
in the male.
Magnesium: 300 mg
According to research it is one of the most important
minerals affecting a woman's ability to conceive and
maintain the pregnancy itself. It helps correct unexplained
infertility.
Chromium: 100 mg
This mineral is required for proper metabolism which
results in adequate functioning of the reproductive
system.
Copper: 2 mg
Copper aids in the body's use of iron which then prevents
the incidence of anemia and the disruption to ovulation.
Iodine: 170 mcg
This mineral is crucial to proper thyroid function
which is important for the mother-to-be.
Vitamins and minerals need to work in harmony for
optimum results; all nutrients depend on each other
to function properly. Fertility supplement becomes
effective in rebalancing your hormones and improving
overall health and fertility if key nutrients are
packed together. It might be a good idea to meet up
with a good healthcare professional who can guide
you appropriately, especially when infertility is
an issue with you but you wish to try conceiving the
natural way i.e. through good diet and fertility supplements.
