Nutrition and Reproductive Health

For both men and women, optimal nutrition plays a key role in reproductive health. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important, as being over or underweight can alter a woman's hormone levels. A normal weight is also important to promote male fertility.

Eating a balanced diet is an important factor in achieving a healthy pregnancy. Research indicates that a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and "good" fats, and low in "bad" fats such as saturated and trans fats and "bad" carbohydrates such as sugary foods, white bread, etc. can promote reproductive health. In addition, prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients which can help improve a woman's chances for conception, and assure proper development of the embryo early in pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA has been shown to improve fetal brain development. During the final weeks of pregnancy, proper nutrition helps prepare the mother for childbirth and nursing.

For prospective fathers, healthy eating helps improve the chances for success. Certain nutrients such as folic acid, vitamins C and E and other antioxidants have been shown to improve the number of sperm produced, and ability of those sperm to fertilize the egg.

As we have learned more about the impact of diet and lifestyle on reproductive health, it has become clear that carefully designed regimens of nutritional supplementation can help couples achieve a healthy pregnancy.