Improving IVF Success Rates with Naturopathic Medicine
There are many different factors that go into achieving a healthy pregnancy. Hormone balance, immune health, and genetics all play a role. But one of the biggest factors at play for many people is the strength and health of the eggs, often referred to as “egg quality.”
| In IVF this is especially important - technologies such as ICSI can allow doctors to select the healthiest looking sperm out of millions, but in most IVF cycles there are only 3-20 eggs retrieved at a time, so the health of each individual egg can have a huge impact on the number of embryos and your chances of achieving that “BFP.” |  |
Because of our focus on reproductive health, nutrition, and detoxification, naturopathic doctors are uniquely poised to help couples and individuals have the best outcomes possible in IVF.
Eggs Need Lots of Energy!
Eggs are very vibrant cells. They are growing and changing at a dramatic rate, and they need lots of support from surrounding cells for energy. That means that these cells require a lot of oxygen - and that they are especially vulnerable to oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is created by tiny, destructive molecules called “free radicals.” These are a normal part of our bodies’ energy production, but they will also go up in the case of inflammation, emotional or physical stress, and certain toxic exposures. Diet also plays a huge part in a person’s overall free radical levels - certain foods are very high in free radicals, or will turn into free radicals once they’re eaten and broken down. When free radicals increase, so does oxidative stress, and damage to growing egg cells can occur, which means less healthy embryos and lower chances of success.
Oxidative stress is created by tiny, destructive molecules called “free radicals.” These are a normal part of our bodies’ energy production, but they will also go up in the case of inflammation, emotional or physical stress, and certain toxic exposures. Diet also plays a huge part in a person’s overall free radical levels - certain foods are very high in free radicals, or will turn into free radicals once they’re eaten and broken down. When free radicals increase, so does oxidative stress, and damage to growing egg cells can occur, which means less healthy embryos and lower chances of success.
Eating for Happy Eggs
Because of oocytes' sensitivity to oxidative stress, decreasing free radicals in the body should be a goal of anyone who is trying to increase their success with IVF.
 | As far as food goes, this means eating an antioxidant-rich diet that includes lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables and plenty of foods rich in vitamin c, beta-carotene, and bioflavonoids. In many cases, especially for individuals who are struggling with issues such as autoimmune disease, endometriosis, or PCOS, avoiding inflammatory foods such as refined sugar and certain types of fats and oils can make a huge impact on egg and embryo quality. |
Herbs and Supplements for Egg Quality
In addition to making changes toward a healthier, antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, there are certain nutrients and herbs that have shown in studies to dramatically improve either the number of eggs retrieved in IVF or the quality of those eggs (or both).
For example, melatonin, a supplement that is often used to help people fall asleep, also happens to be a potent scavenger of free radicals. In a 2014 study, people who took 3mg of melatonin nightly for as little as two weeks had a close to 50% higher fertilization rate than people who didn't take anything at all.
There are many other herbs and nutrients that have been shown to improve egg and sperm quality, increase fertilization rate, and even increase implantation. However, it's always important that any herbal or nutrient regimen is tailored to meet your unique needs. Some herbs and supplements may actually get in the way of achieving a pregnancy for certain individuals. Others may only really help people with specific health issues such as PCOS or autoimmune disease. Because of that I always recommend working with a naturopathic doctor or other healthcare provider who has experience with herbal and nutrient therapies.
For example, melatonin, a supplement that is often used to help people fall asleep, also happens to be a potent scavenger of free radicals. In a 2014 study, people who took 3mg of melatonin nightly for as little as two weeks had a close to 50% higher fertilization rate than people who didn't take anything at all.
There are many other herbs and nutrients that have been shown to improve egg and sperm quality, increase fertilization rate, and even increase implantation. However, it's always important that any herbal or nutrient regimen is tailored to meet your unique needs. Some herbs and supplements may actually get in the way of achieving a pregnancy for certain individuals. Others may only really help people with specific health issues such as PCOS or autoimmune disease. Because of that I always recommend working with a naturopathic doctor or other healthcare provider who has experience with herbal and nutrient therapies.
Happy, Healthy Eggs: a Timeline
 | While the full cycle of growing eggs from tiny, dormant cells to big healthy oocytes takes about a year, the real magic happens in the last three months. That means that the things that you start doing today will affect the eggs you’ll retrieve (and the embryos you’ll create) three months from now. |
Three months might sound like a long time, especially if you have already been waiting a year or longer to start your family. But it gives you plenty of time to make the diet and lifestyle changes that can dramatically improve your chances of success with IVF.
The Bonus: A Healthier You
The nice thing about eating an antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory diet, reducing stress, and avoiding harmful environmental toxins is that, regardless of where you are in your fertility journey, making these changes can make huge improvements in your own mood, health, and well being. This can also make for an easier and smoother pregnancy and delivery, when the happy day finally arrives.
Would you like Dr Silver’s help with fertility or any other health-related issue you might be struggling with? Call (248) 629-0224 or click here to set up an appointment for a visit or a free 15 minute phone consult.
