Anti-Inflammatory Diets Help Improve Fertility

Infertility and reproductive issues have doubled in the past 50 years and affect 186 million people worldwide — but what’s behind this reproductive health crisis?

Like many other illnesses, fertility issues can be rooted in inflammation problems, which could stem from the Standard American Diet, among other things (i.e., stress, nutrient deficiencies, and hormone-disrupting chemicals). Inflammation has been suggested to contribute to a number of reproductive issues, including irregular menstrual cycles, implantation failure, endometriosis, and recurrent miscarriage.

In a new evidence review, an anti-inflammatory diet during preconception showed promise for improving female and male fertility, as well as successful IVF outcomes. An anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean Diet is rich in whole grains, vegetables, fish, extra virgin olive oil, plant fiber and polyphenols, omega-3s, and fermented dairy. This type of diet also limits excess sugar and foods high in saturated fats.

Researchers found that following an anti-inflammatory diet was associated with fertility benefits including:

• Improved menstrual cycles
• Reduced endometriosis-related measures
• Embryo quality
• Live birth
• Sperm quality

Improving a preconception diet and focusing on anti-inflammatory, whole foods is a non-invasive, low-risk intervention to potentially improve fertility and reduce the need for invasive or unwarranted drug or surgical interventions as couples seek to grow their families.