Association between nutrient intake and female infertility: a study based on NHANES database

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Reproductive Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Female infertility is a significant reproductive health concern.
• Dietary patterns and nutrient intake are increasingly recognized as potential factors influencing fertility.
• Understanding the specific nutrient associations can inform public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the intake of various nutrients and the risk of female infertility.
• To identify specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants potentially protective against infertility.
• To explore how these associations vary with body mass index (BMI).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2013-2016.
• Inclusion of 1713 reproductive-age women (18-45 years).
• Multivariate logistic regression and subgroup analyses based on BMI were performed to assess nutrient-infertility risk relationships.

Main Results:

• Higher intake of carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, lycopene, and total folate was significantly associated with a lower risk of female infertility (ORs ranging from 0.36 to 0.55).
• Subgroup analysis indicated that vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene were linked to reduced infertility risk in women with a normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²).
• Among women with BMI > 24.9 kg/m², higher intake of magnesium, iron, and total folate showed a decreased risk of infertility.

Conclusions:

• Specific nutrient intakes, including vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, lycopene, and folate, are associated with a reduced risk of female infertility.
• These findings highlight potentially modifiable dietary factors that could influence female reproductive health.
• Further research can explore causal mechanisms and targeted nutritional interventions.