Increase male and female fertility with antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that can protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals. So, antioxidants can also protect you from various diseases. But, it turns out that not only that, antioxidants are also associated with fertility. What is the effect of antioxidants on fertility? Is it true that antioxidants can increase male and female fertility?

Antioxidant function

Antioxidants work by removing reactive oxygen, which is a compound produced naturally by the body. High amounts of reactive oxygen in the body (usually produced when the body is stressed) is called oxidative stress. This oxidative stress can damage cells, including the cells that build eggs (ovum) and sperm. By suppressing the amount of these harmful compounds, antioxidants can delay the aging process and improve health, including the health of the reproductive system.

Because antioxidants can protect all cells in the body from damage, many antioxidants are associated with fertility.

Antioxidant effects for male fertility

A study conducted by The Cochrane Collaboration in 2011 showed that antioxidants can increase male fertility. Men who take antioxidant supplements have been shown to increase their partner's chances of getting pregnant until giving birth. Research from the University of Auckland also shows that male partners who consume antioxidants are more likely to get their women pregnant.

Other studies also find out how the role of antioxidants for male fertility. Antioxidants can protect sperm from reactive oxygen. Excess reactive oxygen in the body can damage DNA structure, decrease sperm count, inhibit sperm movement, sperm development, and impair sperm function. Thus, this can cause fertility problems or impaired embryo development.

For this reason, the total antioxidant status in the body must be maintained in order to protect sperm cells from damage. Lack of antioxidants from vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B complex, glutathione, pantothenic acid, coenzyme Q10, carnitine, zinc, selenium, and copper, can cause a decrease in total antioxidant status. So, this can then cause a decrease in the quality and quantity of sperm.

Antioxidant effects for female fertility

If studies in men have shown that antioxidants can increase fertility, this seems to show different results in women. Research conducted by the University of Auckland in 2013 showed that antioxidants did not increase a woman's chances of getting pregnant.

In fact, previous research conducted by the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2011 suggested that antioxidants might cause fertility problems in women. Research conducted on female mice showed that antioxidants applied to the ovaries of female rats decreased the release of eggs. However, this research has only been proven in mice, not in humans, so further research needs to be done to prove this.

On the other hand, several other studies have also shown that antioxidants have a positive effect on women's fertility levels. This is because of the function of antioxidants in protecting against cell damage due to reactive oxygen. One study in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine in 2004 proved that nutritional supplementation that contains antioxidants (vitamin E, iron, zinc, selenium, and L-arginine) in women can increase the rate of egg release and pregnancy.

This is also reinforced by the finding that women with repeated experiences of miscarriage have a much lower concentration of antioxidants in the body than healthy women. This could indicate that disrupted levels of antioxidants in the body can lead to recurrent miscarriages.

Antioxidant rich food source

It's a good idea to eat lots of antioxidant-rich foods before trying to get pregnant to increase your fertility. In both men and women, many studies have shown that antioxidants have a positive effect on fertility rates.

Some foods that contain antioxidants are:

Food sources of vitamin E, namely olive oil, canola oil, and other plant oils, products whole grains, seeds, and nuts
Food sources of vitamin C, namely oranges, mangoes, kiwi, papaya, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes
Food sources of vitamin A, namely carrots, meat, milk, and eggs