Expect a pregnancy that does not arrive. It is one of the most difficult situations for a woman. When you live that moment, between thinking "total, I don't lose anything" and the comments of "a Fulanita worked ..." we may be tempted to resort to certain products that are supposed to increase fertility.
Products like the Andean maca, evening primrose oil or inositol They promise to be the key to achieving the desired positive. However, there are no magic recipes on this topic. Experts warn that there is no evidence that its use increases women's fertility; on the contrary, its consumption can have adverse effects.
The new miracle products
Simply do a quick internet search to find thousands of pages full of natural products to increase fertility. Lately those that are "more fashionable" are: Andean Maca, evening primrose oil and inotisol.
According to Dr. David Rodríguez, specialist in gynecology at mediQuo:
“There are no home remedies that really work. Despite popular culture, the effectiveness of products such as maca, evening primrose oil or inositol are some of the usual myths that must be banished, since there are no scientific studies to prove it. ” Taking folic acid also does not improve fertility, but it is extremely important for the proper formation of the fetus, ”he concludes.
We have also consulted with the doctor Martina Trabalón Pastor, gynecologist of the IVI of Murcia, which clarifies if the consumption of these products increases the chances of a pregnancy.
The Andean Maca
It is a radish-like plant that is grown in the Andean area of Peru and Bolivia valued for its nutritional properties and because its roots, supposedly increase fertility and improve libido.
In a recent study carried out by the Assisted Reproduction Unit of the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in patients with poor seminal quality, it was concluded that after three months of taking this compound improved sperm motility. As explained by Dr. Trabalón:
"This study is small and did not have a control group, so its results, although positive, need additional studies. Although there are many different beneficial effects that relate Andean Maca to fertility in both men and women. women, it should be noted that most are based more on traditional knowledge than on specific studies with human beings that support them. "
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is the concentrated extract obtained from plants: Oenothera biennis and Oenothera lamarkiana. Properties such as the maintenance of blood pressure within normal values, the control of LDL cholesterol, the improvement of mental health, the maintenance of the structure, elasticity and functionality of the skin and anti-inflammatory properties, among others, are attributed to it.
However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declares not having found cause-effect relationship between the consumption of evening primrose oil and most of the properties attributed to it.
Inositol
It is a vitamin that is part of the membranes of animal tissues. According to the expert consulted by Babies and more,
"Studies have shown that the presence of high concentrations of inositol in human follicular fluid contributes to proper follicular maturation and is also an indicative marker of good oocyte quality. In general, we know that dietary supplements with antioxidants can help to overcome the disorders due to oxidative stress that are associated with female and male infertility. "
Although in this case, there are studies that support the efficacy of these nutritional supplements, that does not mean that they are beneficial in all cases. It must be the reproduction specialist who assesses whether or not we should take a nutritional supplement taking into account factors such as food intolerances or if some type of medication is being taken, since infertility problems are usually multifactorial.
Can they be counterproductive?
Food supplements that can be found in herbalists, pharmacies and even supermarkets include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids or enzymes. Its consumption without medical supervision can have negative consequences because:
- Some natural products are poorly regulated and do not contain a listing in the leaflet of all its components (we do not really know what we are taking).
- They can be used as a substitute for the variety of foods that constitute a healthy diet.
- Certain food supplements may increase or decrease the absorption, metabolization or excretion of a medicine and, therefore, alter its effect.
It is very important that our doctor is always informed of all the products we consume regularly, however harmless they may seem.
What does help fertility
The factors that affect a woman's fertility are many. There are some such as age or genetic inheritance that we cannot influence, others are unknown and others depend on our habits and lifestyle and there we can intervene. To favor getting pregnant we can:
- Perform moderate physical activity continuously.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol, which generate oxidative stress through the production of free radicals and cell aging.
Pay attention to the diet: Although it is not scientifically proven that you have to follow a specific fertility diet, we can affirm that to favor the probability of pregnancy it is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, rich in nutrients and Low in saturated fat. The diet should contain:
- Antioxidants and Vitamin C, present in fruits such as orange, lemon, kiwi, and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, peppers or tomatoes.
- Omega 3, component of seafood, salmon, sardines, tuna, nuts and avocado, among others.
- Iron, present mainly in animal proteins and legumes.
- Calcium and Vitamin D, typical of dairy products, nuts such as almonds and nuts ...
- Folic acid: It does not specifically help to achieve pregnancy, but its consumption is essential for those women who are looking for it. An adequate contribution of this component during pregnancy makes the baby less likely to have central nervous system malformations such as spina bifida. It is present in green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, bananas, eggs or cottage cheese.
- Zinc, an element that plays an essential role in the mobility of the sperm for its arrival in the ovum and very common in foods such as salmon, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, wheat germ, chickpeas or ginger.
- Selenium, present in eggs, meats, fish and nuts.
As we have seen, in the same way that, when talking about food, there are no "miracle products" that will make us lose weight quickly and effortlessly, there are not any issues on fertility. In fact, taking one or more food complexes could have negative effects. Andean maca, evening primrose oil, inositol? Eye, because natural does not always mean safe.
