It Begins With An Egg

Improving Your Egg Quality Naturally To Enhance Fertility

Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or going through IVF, the quality of your eggs will influence the success of conceiving a healthy baby. Or increase your risk of a miscarriage.

In fact, the newest research shows that poor egg quality is the number one cause of age-related infertility, recurrent miscarriage and failed IVF cycles.

When supporting my patient’s fertility journey, taking a holistic approach in their health is key. Improving egg quality for fertility requires increasing nutrients, eliminating or reducing environmental toxins and addressing stress.  In this article I will discuss some key supplements that you can start using to support the quality of your eggs and boost fertility.

Improving egg quality for fertility requires increasing nutrients, eliminating or reducing environmental toxins and addressing stress.

CoQ10

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that has been clinically proven to enhance fertility in both males and females. Every cell in the body contains mitochondria which are a ‘powerhouse’ creating energy. Given that the oocyte (female egg) and sperm contain high amounts of mitochondria, the health of this ‘powerhouse’ will influence DNA and RNA damage, oxidative stress, embryo quality, development and maturation of the egg. CoQ10 is an essential component of the mitochondria that protects the cells from oxidative stress and enhances egg quality. I recommend 200mg twice per day for both male and females.

Folate

Also known as folic acid, it is found in prenatal vitamins, supplements and fortified foods. It is one of the most widely known nutrients for fertility health as it aids in cell division and cell creation by copying and creating DNA. A deficiency in folate can have serious consequences including risk of birth defects like heart problems, tongue tie, cleft lip and cleft palate, spina bifida and anencephaly. I recommend 400mcg for women in childbearing age. This will increase to 600mcg during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Special consideration: some women who have the MTHFR gene require an activated form of folate as their bodies can utlise this form more effectively. I prefer to have all my patients on an activated form of folate, also known as L-5-MTHF or methylfolate.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

ALA is a powerful antioxidant that is found in a small amount of food sources such as potatoes, spinach and red meat. It has shown to improve fertility in both men and women in many different studies due to its high antioxidant properties and supporting mitochondrial health. I recommend 300mg – 600mg twice daily.

N-acetylcysteine

NAC is an amino acid that has been clinically proven to support fertility in both men and women. For patients with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), supplementing with NAC is my go-to supplement. It helps to reduce PCOS, inflammation, improve ovulation rates, improve egg quality and fertility. In male fertility, NAC improves sperm quality by reducing oxidative damage and increasing sperm count and motility. I recommend taking 600 mg – 1000mg daily.

Myo-inositol

Inositol is considered a “true” vitamin and is sometimes referred to as vitamin B8. I frequently prescribe patients with PCOS as it improves insulin sensitivity, reduces androgens and improves ovulation. For women who have amenorrhea, PCOS or un-ovulatory cycles, myo-inositol helps to regulate your cycle and improve your chances of fertility. I recommend 2g twice a day.

DHA

Docosahexaenoic is an omega-3 fatty acid that supports the membrane of every single cell in your body. In a growing baby it specifically supports brain development, eye development and the nervous system. All parents want to have a happy and healthy baby, and DHA plays an essential role in cognitive and neurological development. I encourage my patients to have adequate amounts in their bodies before they conceive. I recommend at least 500g of DHA daily through combined supplement and foods sources.

All parents want to have a happy and healthy baby, and DHA plays an essential role in cognitive and neurological development.

How You Can Start Supplements Today

Here are some tips on how you can start utilising these supplements today for improving egg quality naturally.

1. Supplement with a high quality pre-pregnancy multivitamin that contains activated B vitamins. A high quality supplement usually contains other supportive nutrients such as myo-inositol, NAC and ALA.
2. Supplement with a quality DHA (e.g. Nordic Natural DHA) for pregnancy, and increase deep sea fish consumption to 3 times per week.
3. CoQ10 is readily available at most health food stores and pharmacies. Shop online here (please note that you will need to be a client of Kissun Clinics to shop your prescribed ‘prescription only’ medicines).