Nutrition Effects

Could it be that something as simple as what you eat can have an impact on your fertility?

There are no specific foods or beverages that will definitely make anyone more fertile. However, one's overall nutrition has a subtle, but powerful effect on all of the body's systems, including the reproductive.

Assuming you already have some very basic awareness of what "good nutrition" means, here are some additional facts on how what you ingest can effect your efforts to conceive a successful pregnancy:

Essentials

If you're hoping to conceive, make sure you get good amounts of:

  • vitamin E, sources: whole grains, broccoli, alfalfa, nuts, wheat germ, seeks, leafy greens, soy
  • vitamin A, sources: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, collards, kale, cauliflower,) alfalfa
  • vitamin C (for men), sources: cruciferous vegetables, alfalfa, orange juice
  • vitamin D (for men), sources: alfalfa, dairy products, salmon
  • calcium (for men), sources: soy, broccoli, alfalfa, dairy products, salmon
  • iron, sources: alfalfa, leafy greens
  • zinc, sources: wheat germ, seeds, soy
  • folic acid (for women), sources: leafy greens, whole grains, wheat germ, soy, citrus fruits
  • essential fatty acids, sources: safflower & other vegetable oils

The most important thing to know about vitamins and minerals is that they are best absorbed and utilized by your body when taken in food form rather than pill or supplement form. Also, it is possible to overuse certain vitamin supplements, creating a dietary situation that is actually more harmful than helpful. One exception to this rule is folic acid for women, which should be supplemented by pill (up to 800 mcg per day) in addition to foods because of the strong correlation between folic acid deficiency and neural birth defects.

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