Diet and fertility: a review

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Human Fertility

Background:

• Diet significantly influences human fertility, with recent research identifying key dietary patterns.
• Understanding nutritional impacts is crucial for improving conception rates and reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current literature on diet and human fertility.
• To identify specific nutrients and dietary patterns associated with fertility outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies published over the last decade.
• Analysis of evidence regarding specific nutrients (folic acid, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants) and dietary patterns (dairy, soy, alcohol, caffeine).

Main Results:

• Supplemental folic acid consistently improves fertility and reduces pregnancy loss.
• Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance female fertility; male antioxidant supplementation shows benefits.
• Healthy diets (seafood, poultry, whole grains, fruits, vegetables) improve fertility and semen quality; dairy and soy show no consistent negative impact.

Conclusions:

• Diet plays a significant role in human fertility, with specific nutrients and healthy eating patterns showing clear benefits.
• Further research, including randomized trials, is needed to clarify the roles of certain nutrients and combined dietary approaches for both partners.