Women are born with all of the eggs they will ever have, which makes maintaining egg quality and healthy ovulation incredibly important for reproductive wellness, especially as you get older. While there is nothing you can do to prevent the regular loss of eggs as you age, there are several dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your egg quality and, ultimately, your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, getting good quality sleep, exercising, and managing stress, taking supplements is a great way to complement already healthy behaviors and boost your fertility. But how do you know which supplements you should be taking and which ones can actually help improve egg quality? Look no further, because we’ve got you covered.
Supplements to Improve Egg Quality
1. CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a fat-soluble nutrient that plays a key role in the production of 95% of the energy needed by your cells, including sperm and egg cells. CoQ10 also functions as a powerful antioxidant.
We ingest CoQ10 naturally in our diet through the consumption of meat, fish, certain vegetables, and fruit, but CoQ10 levels do decrease with age, stress, and certain medications. This results in reduced cellular energy capacity.
CoQ10 supplementation supports egg and sperm health by neutralizing free radicals and promoting cellular energy production. One study even revealed that it can improve IVF outcomes in women with decreased ovarian reserve.
2. NAC
N-acetyl-l-cysteine—NAC, for short —is a stable form of the amino acid cysteine. It provides antioxidant support, promotes healthy cellular glutathione levels, and supports immune health. For fertility, NAC supports sperm and egg health by protecting these important cells from free radical damage.
Another surprising benefit of NAC is that it also has the potential to lower androgen levels, improve spontaneous ovulation, and regulate menstrual cycles in women with PCOS. And when it comes to IVF, research has shown that NAC supplementation can help improve egg maturation, fertilization, and embryo development. Talk about a win-win!
3. Myo-Inositol
Myo-Inositol is a naturally occurring vitamin-like substance, sometimes referred to as Vitamin B8, that is often used to support fertility and reproductive wellness in women.
Myo-Inositol supports fertility in four important ways: egg quality, ovarian function, hormone balance, and menstrual cycle regularity. It also has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS.
One study on Myo-Inositol supplementation showed that it actually increased the clinical pregnancy rate in infertile women undergoing ovulation induction for ICSI or IVF embryo transfer.
4. Myo + D-Chiro Inositol
Myo + D-Chiro Inositol combines two of the most popular ingredients for female fertility support in one formula. This powerful duo – which provides a daily amount of 2000 mg of Myo-inositol and 50 mg of d-chiro inositol in the 40:1 ratio found in the body – can help support fertility in several ways: healthy hormone balance, ovulation, egg quality, and menstrual cycle regularity. So, if you’re looking for Myo-Inositol with an added boost, Myo + D-Chiro Inositol might be right for you.
5. FH PRO for Women
FH PRO for Women offers a 3-pronged approach to your fertility. First, taking a daily prenatal vitamin can help fill in the nutrient gaps in your diet and support preconception and pregnancy wellness. FH PRO for Women offers a comprehensive preconception vitamin complex with 100% or more Daily Value of key vitamins and minerals – including vitamins B, D, iron, zinc, iodine, and folic acid (as methylfolate).
Last but not least, FH PRO supports egg health using a variety of antioxidant nutrients – CoQ10, Melatonin, Beta-Carotene, C, E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Grapeseed Extract, Resveratrol, Zinc, Selenium, N-Acetyl-Cysteine – that work to minimize the impact of free radical damage to your eggs.
Not only that, clinical study results suggest a significant benefit of FH PRO supplementation for women on clinical pregnancy rates.
When you’re trying – and struggling – to conceive, proper supplementation can complement an already healthy lifestyle, help improve egg quality, and even increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Whether you take an all-encompassing prenatal like FH PRO for Women or standalone supplements like Myo-Inositol, Myo + D-Chiro Inositol, CoQ10, and NAC, any step toward enhancing your overall health can make a big difference and bring you one step closer to your ultimate goal of becoming a parent.