Importance of supplements when planning for pregnancy

Infertility is a growing problem, affecting one in six couples worldwide. It’s estimated that 40% of the cases are due to fertility problems of the male partner [1] [2].

Male infertility can occur due to multiple causes and depends on genetics, diseases, and general health. Importantly, according to numerous studies, lifestyle and nutrition play a major role when it comes to fertility.

Taking a food supplement can be an easy way to make sure your fertility is up to speed when you and your partner are planning or actively trying to conceive.

There’s a large body of evidence that supports supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for specific parts of fertility.

Studies show that supplements improve:

Sperm count: Substances such as zinc, in combination with other vitamins, can help you increase the amount of sperm cells in a given amount of semen [7].

Sperm motility: Vitamin E, selenium, CoQ10, L-Carnitine, and DHA have been documented to increase the ability of the sperm cells to swim [8][9][10][11].

DNA quality: Studies have shown that antioxidants has the ability to reduce the number of molecules called ‘free radicals’. These free radicals damage cells throughout the body. The DNA of sperm cells are susceptible to oxidative stress and substances such as L-carnitine, vitamin E, and DHA have been shown to be very efficient in minimizing the risk [3][4][5][6].

Testosterone levels: Low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, can play a part in infertility for some men. Substances such as vitamin D, zinc, magnesium and boron can help men to increase their testosterone levels [13][14][15][16][17].

Erectile dysfunction: In some instances, infertility may be due to a reduced sexual action, which could be because of erectile dysfunction, the situation when a man is unable to develop or maintain an erection. L-arginine and Pycnogenol have been shown to give harder and longer erections [12].

A good male fertility supplement should therefore provide a complete spectrum of nutrients. For more information, see the article “What supplements should I take to improve my sperm quality“?

When should you start taking a fertility supplement?

If you are planning for pregnancy in the next year or two, there are things you could do already today. We recommend you to actively start taking a low dose fertility supplement and adopt some fertility-friendly habits to your lifestyle. It takes the body up to 3 months to produce new sperm cells, so you should start sooner than later!

You should also remember that fertility and general health normally go hand in hand. Things that can improve your overall health will likely also have a positive impact on your fertility and vice versa.

In case you are in doubt about your sperm quality, have a look at our home sperm test device to get a quick and accurate estimation of your fertility.

Make sure that your fertility supplements:

• Covers the entire spectrum of micronutrients that you need
• Contains a dose of micronutrients which is close to your Recommended Daily Allowance set by the authorities
• Contains the ingredients in a bioavailable form that can easily absorb
• Does not cost so much that it prohibits you from using it in the long run.

Are you already taking fertility supplements and want some guidance or advice? The Exseed coaches are ready to help you so dont hesitate to contact us.