Ever wonder if there’s something you should be getting more of now that you’re trying to get pregnant? Well, there are a few. According to Natalie Burger, MD, a fertility specialist, good nutrition can help you get pregnant and prepare your body for baby. Here are the vitamins you should take:
Coenzyme Q10: Studies show that taking supplements of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may help with both female and male infertility. “Preliminary animal data has suggested that the addition of CoQ10 may improve egg quality in ‘old’ mice,” says Burger. “The correlating human study is ongoing.” There is also evidence that CoQ10 can increase sperm count. According to the Mayo Clinic, CoQ10 is produced by the body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells.
Antioxidants: Taking these supplements like vitamin E may help with fertility. “In a small Spanish study comparing fertile and infertile men, a low intake of antioxidant nutrients was associated with poor semen quality,” says Burger.
Zinc: Newsflash: You and your partner should be getting plenty of zinc. Zinc contributes to ovulation and fertility in women and also semen and testosterone production in men, according to the American Pregnancy Association. “It has been noted that zinc deficiency can correlate with impaired sperm production,” says Burger. The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health recommends that men receive a daily intake of 11 mg of zinc and women take 8 mg. Oysters have more zinc per serving than any other food, but you can also consume other foods rich in zinc like whole grains, other kinds of seafood, beans and dairy products.