Infertility affects approximately 7.3 million couples in the US. One of seven couples will
experience difficulty conceiving. In approximately 40-50% of these cases, the cause is unknown.
It may be related to toxicity, oxidative damage, poor nutritional status or nutritional
deficiencies, heavy metal or environmental toxicity, systemic disorders, hormonal imbalances,
xenobiotic exposure, age-related decline, or obesity.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) methods have existed for over four decades; however, pregnancy
success rates are still relatively low, with live births per transfer at approximately 30%.
Antioxidants have been shown to be effective in improving embryo qualities from in vitro
fertilization. L-carnitine (LC) has been mostly studied for improving male infertility and oocyte
or embryo quality. L-carnitine has been known to reduce reactive oxygen species and enhance
ATP production, which can contribute to the development of a high-quality embryo.
According to a study published last Wednesday, researchers demonstrated that L-carnitine
supplementation improves human embryo quality and achieves better pregnancy outcomes.
Supplementation with L-carnitine during in vitro maturation of oocytes improve their nuclear
maturation and subsequent embryo development after IVF.
In this human embryo study, researchers demonstrated improved embryo quality and
significantly better implantation, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy rates. For every
embryo development stage, L-carnitine in culture media was demonstrated to be beneficial in
producing a higher number of good quality embryos compared to the control. Recommended
dosing of L-carnitine for male infertility is typically between 3 to 4 grams daily.
There was also a study published last Saturday that demonstrated myo-inositol’s effectiveness
in reducing gonadotropins and reducing the length of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in
women undergoing IVF. Other nutrients that may be beneficial to support fertility include
vitamin D, fish oil, and CoQ10.
By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS
Designs for Health has been dedicated to being the most trusted source for superior quality, science-based nutritional products for nearly three decades. We’re committed to maximizing successful health outcomes by providing healthcare practitioners with comprehensive support through our extensive product line, ongoing clinical education, and practice development programs. The blogs we publish here cover a range of topics, including new and original approaches to diet and healthcare, analyses of the latest cutting-edge research, deep-dives into specific nutrients, botanicals, nutraceuticals and more, all fully referenced for those who want to dig deeper into the primary literature.
