Natural Therapies for Infertility
by Chris Meleltis, ND
Contributing writer
A great deal of research supports that there are numerous nutritional and botanical supplements that can assist the body in overcoming common factors that adversely affect fertility.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids
B Vitamins
B vitamin deficiency may predispose a person to altered hormone levels. Folic acid, in particular, is very important for preventing cellular oxidative damage and maintaining the health of the cervix.
Iron
Iron is an important nutrient for erythropoiesis and is necessary in substantial amounts during pregnancy. Iron deficiency may cause amenorrhea, and iron deficiency during pregnancy is associated with pregnancy complications and increased perinatal maternal mortality. Research indicates that iron supplementation in women with lower iron levels improves fertility.
Zinc
Research indicates that low zinc concentrations negatively affect serum testosterone levels and seminal volume. Seminal plasma zinc concentrations are positively correlated with sperm density, which may exert a positive effect on spermatogenesis. Data indicates that infertile males have lower concentrations of seminal plasma zinc, which correlates with reduced blood zinc levels. In one study, men with reduced sperm motility were supplemented with zinc for 3 months. At a 6-month follow-up, the men exhibited significant improvements in sperm counts, progressive motility, and fertilizing capacity; as well as a reduced incidence of anti-sperm antibodies.
Vitamin C
Antioxidants play a significant role in promoting fertility in both men and women. In men, low levels of vitamin C are associated with increased oxidative damage to spermatic DNA. In one study, vitamin C intake in normal healthy men was reduced from 250 mg to 5 mg per day. This resulted in a reduction of seminal levels of vitamin C by 50% and a 91% increase in spermatic DNA damage. Another study found that vitamin C supplementation to infertile men for 1 week resulted in 112-140% increase in sperm count.
Vitamin C is also important for female fertility. Using animal models, researchers have shown that supplementation with vitamins C and E decreased age-related reduction in ovulation rates compared to the control group of animals of similar age. Another study found that women taking a fertility drug clomiphene with no results were able to have a menses and ovulate with the addition of 400 mg of vitamin C daily.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E supplementation has been shown to significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, a measure of lipid peroxidation, in the seminal plasma and spermatozoa as well as improve sperm motility. A similar study showed that supplementation with Vitamin E and selenium in men with low sperm counts and decreased motility improved both of these infertility factors after 6 months of supplementation.
Selenium
Selenium is important for sperm motility. In one study, infertile men were supplemented with selenium, selenium plus vitamins A, C, and E, or placebo for 3 months. The subjects in both selenium treatments groups’ demonstrated significantly improved sperm motility, and 11% of the men impregnated their partners during the 3-month study.
Amino Acids
Arginine is an amino acid that is converted to several compounds believed to play a role in sperm motility. In one study, 74% of the men supplemented with arginine for 3 months showed improved sperm counts and motility. Another amino acid, carnitine, is important for the development of healthy spermatozoa. In infertile patients, research has shown a direct correlation between sperm motility and semen carnitine content and a positive correlation between carnitine supplementation and sperm counts and number of motile sperm. L-Carnitine is a key ingredient in most male fertility enhancing supplements, including FertilAid for Men.
Herbal Support
Vitex agnus castus (Chasteberry) has several hormone-normalizing effects. In women with hyperprolactinemia, 3 months of Vitex supplementation resulted in suppressed prolactin release, a lengthened luteal phase, and improved progesterone synthesis. In another study, women with polymenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and corpus luteum insufficiency were treated with Vitex for 6 months. Vitex supplementation increased average progesterone levels, normalized the menstrual cycle in 64% of the women, and 29% of the women became pregnant. Vitex is a key ingredient in many natural fertility supplements, including FertilAid for Women.
Panax Ginseng (Asian ginseng) is an adaptogenic herb used traditionally to enhance libido. In one study, men supplemented with a ginseng extract showed an increase in sperm number and motility, increase in total and free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, LH, and FSH, and a decrease in prolactin. In addition, the active constituents in ginseng known as ginsenosides modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Lepidium meyenii (Maca) has been shown to improve seminal parameters without modulating hormone levels. In one study, men supplemented with 1500 or 3000 mg of maca per day for 4 months showed increase in seminal volume, sperm counts, motile sperm numbers, and sperm motility.
Mind-Body Treatments
Mind-body treatments such as yoga and acupuncture have been shown to help support stress reduction and improve fertility One study showed that adding acupuncture to conventional treatments for anovulation infertility improved the pregnancy rate to 44% from 16% in the group receiving conventional treatment alone. Targeted yoga practices, such as the one featured in the DVD, “Bend, Breathe, and Conceive” by Dr. Anna Davis, have been developed specifically for trying-to-conceive women.
Chris Meletis is an internationally renowned naturopathic doctor, author and educator in the field of natural medicine.
Tags: Enhancing Fertility, fertility herbs, natural fertility treatment, vitamins for fertility
