Role of Vitamin D in Fertility and Pregnancy

The role of Vitamin D in Fertility and Pregnancy is much more important than we think.

The desire of becoming a parent is inherent. However, for couples, having a child is not an easy task. But the best part about having a child is that it brings out the child in you. It gives you peace and strength knowing that you have someone biologically related – your delicate “bundle of joy”. In this article, we will cover the role of vitamin D in fertility and pregnancy.

But what if you are unable to have a child of your own? Yes, these problems arise due to different malfunctions and deficiencies in your body. This is because you might have issues with appropriate vitamins and minerals that can play a part in your fertility process.

One such vitamin is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is more often overlooked by couples during their pregnancy journey or during their journey of planning a family. But you must not overlook this vital component as it plays a very important role in your fertility. Lack of vitamin D is more prevalent than you would think. Particularly at risk are people who don’t get enough sun.

More topics related to infertility treatment:

All about the IVF process

Tips for high IVF success rate

Tips for successful IVF cycle

What is Vitamin D used for?

The minerals calcium and phosphorus contained in the body need vitamin D for control. It also plays a significant role in maintaining a bone structure properly.

What are the advantages of having adequate vitamin D?

Vitamin D is perfect for your own health. Vitamin D now has comprehensive work to support its role in immune function, division of healthy cells, and bone health. Vitamin D is required for calcium and phosphorus absorption and metabolism. Many studies find a correlation between low serum levels of vitamin D and increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases, cancers, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and insulin resistance.

By promoting healthy bone growth, vitamin D invests in your baby’s wellbeing. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with preeclampsia. Therefore, Vitamin D is very important for a pregnant woman to keep her child healthy and safe.

From where can I get Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to your pregnancy journey. However, the most important source of Vitamin D is sunlight. That is the reason why people in Canada and Northern USA suffer from Vitamin D deficiency as they have no access to sunlight. However, there are many foods that you must take to improve the levels of Vitamin D in your body. Some of them are –

Cod Liver Oil – If you don’t like fish, then Cod liver oil may be an option for you. It is a huge source of vitamin D. It also contains lots of Vitamin A, but having vitamin A in excess can be harmful. So, do not take an extra dosage of Cod Liver Oil.
Egg Yolk – People who do not eat fish should be aware that seafood is not the only vitamin D source. Another good source is the whole egg. Though most of the protein in an egg is in the shell, most of the vitamins, minerals, and fats are found in the yolk.
Salmon – Salmon is a common fatty fish and a great vitamin D source. Wild salmon provide more vitamin D than farmed Salmon.
Mushrooms – The mushrooms are the only healthy plant source of vitamin D. Like humans when exposed to UV light mushrooms will synthesize vitamin D. Mushrooms do however contain vitamin D2, while animals produce vitamin D3.
Canned Tuna – Many people love canned tuna for its taste and simple methods of storage. Usually, it is better than buying new fish too. Also, it is a good source of Vitamin D and Vitamin K.

How much vitamin D do I need?

The fertility expert advises that women with a vitamin D level of less than 24 ng/mL take 4,000 IU per day. For those with a vitamin D level of 24-30 ng/mL, taking 2,000 IU per day is recommended.

How Vitamin D is related to fertility and pregnancy?

Vitamin D has been linked with several benefits to wellbeing. It tends to be linked to improved fertility for women seeking to conceive, as well as a stable pregnancy.

Because of those possible advantages, as part of their initial screening process, fertility clinics around the globe screen all female patients for vitamin D deficiency. Some studies have also shown that blood vitamin D levels of 30 ng / mL or higher are correlated with higher rates of pregnancy.

Achieving a good amount of vitamin D not only tends to have a beneficial impact on fertility, but it can also increase the odds of having a successful pregnancy. Studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk of premature birth, preeclampsia, bacterial vaginosis, and gestational diabetes, during pregnancy.

Read more about vitamin D study with infertility treatment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24522025

Does Vitamin D affect sperm quality?

Vitamin D does not only affect women but also men. It is an important factor in male infertility. According to a report in Daily Mail, it is found that Vitamin D can boost sperm quality.

According to the study, men with adequate Vitamin D levels have higher sperm motility. It helps to move the sperm better towards the egg. They found that people who were listed as having a deficiency in vitamin D had a lower proportion of motile sperm. Men with vitamin D deficiency have been asked to take the supplements during the IVF cycle to have a successful IVF treatment.

Does Vitamin D affect egg quality?

Vitamin D was initially shown to be of value in mice experiments. Mice who are either vitamin D deficient or lack the vitamin D receptor may display an inability to form mature eggs and uterine under development, leading to infertility. The fetuses of these mice display impaired development if pregnancy is achieved. Reproduction in mice with the treatment of vitamin D is normalized.

Does Vitamin D help in Ovulation?

Vitamin D can also prove to play a significant role in ovarian and endometrial fertility. Vitamin D has been shown to improve ovulation at the level of the ovaries. It seems to work at a cellular level by increasing FSH sensitivity, changing AMH signaling, and increasing the production of progesterone.

Conclusion for Role of Vitamin D in Fertility and Pregnancy

Thus, Vitamin D in Fertility and pregnancy are interrelated. and it is highly important not only in natural conceiving but also in the treatment of infertility. For example, couples going for IVF are given Vitamin D supplements for the success of the IVF treatment.

One should not overlook the effect of having Vitamin D Deficiency.

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