This nutrient has been shown to improve hormonal balance, sperm health, immunity and pregnancy. If you have been struggling to get pregnant, can this nutrient improve your fertility? It is one of the most researched substances in the world and is often seen as a minor player in the body.
We are talking about Vitamin C… Yes, it is not just for your immune system and can improve your fertility in two to three months
Improve and Protect Sperm Health
Vitamin C has been shown to improve sperm quality and protect sperm from DNA damage; helping to reduce the chance of miscarriage and chromosomal defects. Vitamin C protects sperm from oxidative damage due to free radicals.
Studies show that vitamin C deficiency has been linked to low sperm count, poor sperm motility and morphology. Vitamin C is necessary to not only ensure healthy sperm, but to support them in getting where they need to go.
One study showed a marked improvement in sperm health in men who had previously failed fertility treatments due to sperm a high number of sperm with DNA fragmentation. The researchers found that just 2 months of supplementation with both vitamin C and E at one gram a day of each lead to decreased DNA fragmentation in sperm and improved implantation and successful pregnancy rates.
That isn’t all, vitamin C supplementation has also been shown to increase the quality of sperm in smokers and reduce sperm agglutination (when they clump together), making them more motile.
Now, the female side of things.
Vitamin C Plays A Role In Ovulation And Egg Health
Researchers have shown that ascorbic acid plays an important role in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovarian function. Ascorbic acid excretion is increased and declines immediately prior to ovulation, and then immediately increases again just after temperature rises post-ovulation. Researchers speculate this reflects uptake of ascorbic acid in the preovulatory ovary, which then facilitates proper ovulation. These ascorbic acid levels are stimulatory to the hormones progesterone and oxytocin, and have been found in high concentrations in the corpus luteum.
High levels of ascorbic acid present in the ovaries may be responsible for collagen synthesis, which is required for follicle and corpus luteum growth, as well as repair of the ovary post-ovulation. Problems with this function may contribute to the development of ovarian cyst.
Other research has shown a correlation between serum ascorbic acid levels and follicular fluid levels in women undergoing IVF at the time of oocyte recovery. To me this clearly shows that adequate intake of vitamin C is essential for maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle and maintaining or improving egg health.
According to a study published in Fertility and Sterility (2003;80:459–61) vitamin C improves hormone levels and increases fertility in women with luteal phase defect.
150 women with luteal phase defect were enrolled in the study. The participants were given 750mg of vitamin C per day or no treatment at all. Results showed that the group receiving vitamin C had an increase in progesterone levels. While the women receiving no treatment had no change in progesterone.
How to Get Enough Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a nutrient that is sensitive to cooking, processing and exposure to air, so it important to get it from eating fresh, raw foods. Did you know that as soon as you cut into foods rich in vitamin C they begin to rapidly lose their vitamin C content? Eat foods rich in vitamin C as quickly as possible to ensure you are receiving optimum levels of vitamin C. If you don’t believe me, consider these examples: Research shows that a sliced cucumber left standing for 3 hours loses 41 to 49% of its vitamin C content. A sliced cantaloupe left uncovered in the refrigerator loses 35% of its vitamin C content in less than a 24 hour period.
Foods rich in vitamin C (and should be eaten raw) are: Acerola cherries, guava, mustard greens, parsley, persimmons, papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, oranges, kiwifruit, cauliflower, kale, elderberries, spinach, red cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and citrus fruit.
