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Does Omega 3 increase fertility?

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4 fertility expert(s) answered this question

Answer from: Valentina Denisova, MD PhD Obstetrician Gynaecologist

Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist
Next Generation Clinic
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Fatty acids are commonly classified as saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated. These fatty acids may play important roles in reproductive function through different pathways. Right now, we know that higher consumptions of Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower trans fatty acids may enhance female fertility and the effects of other fatty acids are less clear. So, we need an intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acids. Another point is; since we know that the recommended dose of protein for a healthy diet with minimal physical activity is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight; we need to eat protein. We can eat different types of protein such as meat, fish, soy proteins, and so on. But we really need proteins to create our cells.

Answer from: Xanthi Maragkoudaki, MSc, ANutr, PhD

Dietician / nutritionist, Lecturer in Nutrition and Public Health at University of Westminster
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Omega-3 and the rest of omega-3 to omega-6 benefits the health in various ways and one of those is actual fertility so, we’re always aiming to get more omega-3s than omega-6 so these are coming more from the fish. So from fish sources or from plankton if you’re a vegetarian, that’s a concern for you. So, this is not only important for women but it’s also important for men. For women monounsaturated has been shown also to improve fertility but for men polyunsaturated – like omega-3, play a huge role in it. On top of it, it plays a huge importance for fetal development once pregnancy is successful, so, omega-3 is important not only for before pregnancy but also for during pregnancy and for the development of the child after pregnancy as well.

Answer from: Dimitris Papanikolaou, MD

Gynaecologist, Founder and Clinical Director at Life Clinic Athens
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Regarding the intralipid when I came from England, I started using some supplements. First of the supplement that I started using was fish oil. Everybody was talking about the fish oil but most of the doctors back then in 2007 were saying don’t give it to the pregnant because we don’t know what contains it, it may affect the baby or whatever. Now, the trend is to give fish oil to everybody. You can check back in 2008 to see what we’re doing. So, I started doing it on my own to all my protocols not for any other reason because we know from many years that the fish diet reduces inflammation. Basically has the same effect on the immune system because it has fat balls, concentrated fat, so the fish oil has a similar way of action like the intralipid. Simply, the intralipid is direct, has a very direct effect but I do believe that whoever has an irritable immune system is very good to take fish oil.

Answer from: Ro Huntriss, Fertility Dietician

Dietician / nutritionist, Director at Dietitian Ro Ltd
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Omega 3 is the most potent anti-inflammatory agent in the diet and we want to control our levels of inflammation because that is involved in the many different stages of that fertility journey. So we certainly want omega 3 as part of our fertility diet. If you consume a few portions of oily fish a week, it is unlikely that you need an additional supplement. But if you don’t have that omega 3 source of oily fish in your diet then you could consider taking a supplement. The doses that we find, there isn’t a definitive agreed amount, the recommendations vary from different bodies based on different things. I would say speak to a fertility dietitian or nutritionist who will be able to guide you on a dose that is right for you.

About this question:

How may it influence my fertility? Should I be careful with dosage?

Does omega-3 help with getting pregnant? Does omega-3 Boost ovulation? Is Omega 3 good for ovaries?

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