Eat your way to great fertility in five easy ways
If you’re looking to fall pregnant, these five superfoods and supplements will help give your fertility a boost.
While we know that fertility and conception depend on many factors, it might surprise you to hear that the foods you eat also play a part in boosting your chances of falling pregnant. We asked the experts to give us some advice on how you can fertility-proof your diet.
The role of diet and fertility
Reproductive medicine specialist, Dr Paul Le Roux from the Cape Fertility Clinic, agrees that diet plays a role in fertility. “The basic idea is to have a healthy, balanced diet and to avoid too much alcohol and smoking. Patients who are overweight have considerably reduced fertility. Even moderate weight loss in overweight patients can lead to an improvement in fertility.”
Vitamin and mineral status
Nutritional therapist, Marié Petrelis, who studied at Patrick Holford’s Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London explains that a big part of our nutrition plays a crucial role in fertility, especially when it comes to your vitamin and mineral status. “While a diet lacking in what you need may not make you infertile, it could make you sub-fertile and reduce your chances of falling pregnant.”
She says that eating a well-balanced diet, along with supplemental support to boost your levels of essential nutrients, is needed to achieve maximum health and fertility. “Sperm takes about four months to develop while a woman’s fertility is dependent on the health of her eggs and reproductive organs, as well as her body’s ability to produce the right balance of hormones to ‘mature’ the eggs for ovulation during each monthly cycle. Therefore, getting the right mix of supporting nutrients is important.”
Five superfoods foods and supplements to give your fertility a boost
- Lean proteins and dairy products
- Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads
- A vitamin B complex supplement, which will help optimise your body’s growth hormone production.
- Omega 3 and 6 oils can help your insulin function and therefore your fertility.
- A zinc supplement and a healthy dose of sunshine will improve your vitamin D levels, which also balances your hormones.
