Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamin E and antioxidants vital for fertility

New research published in the latest Human Fertility Journal claims that Essential fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants may have an important role in improving fertilty in women.

It has long been known that dietary fats influence how eggs mature, the corpeus luteum function and embryo development. This latest research by Mehendale, Bams et al found that DHA  and EPA (both found in omega 3 fatty acids) and vitamin E levels and antioxidants were lower in infertile women. They suggest that a diet high in omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (the fats commonly found in processed foods, margarine and salad dressings ) may affect fertility processes such as ovulation, whereas a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may improve reproductive function. Omega 6 is essential for good health but the average Western diet has up to ten times the amount of omega 6 that our bodies need and in that quantity it can start to do us damage. Supplementing the diet with vitamin E and antioxidants may also help to improve fertility.

I often advise men and women I see for fertility issues to take a good quality fish oil (or flaxseed if they are vegan or vegetarian) daily and to increase their levels of antioxidants. I can order my patients high quality fish and flaxseed oil and vitamin e which are sent direct to their home address for convenience. You may also like to include foods naturally rich in these substances in your everyday diet.

Foods naturally rich in omega 3 include cold water fatty fish such as salmon, mackeral, herring, sardines and tuna, flaxseed, soybean and canola oil, walnuts, beans, brocolli and dairy products. You may choose to not consume the fish more than 1-2 times a week due to possible contamination with other products.

Foods rich in vitamin E include advocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, watercress, brussel sprouts, blackberries, mangoes, olive oil, mackeral, salmon, nuts, and wholegrains and wholemeal products.

The foods most rich  in antioxidants are small dried red beans, red kidney beans, pinto beans, cranberries, artichokes, blueberries, blackberries, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, red apples, granny smith apples, pecans, sweet cherries, plums, black beans and gala apples.