Recently we have been getting asked a lot about vitamin D testing at the clinic. I first became interested in vitamin D 3 years ago because of the research that was coming out of the States. We have done over 800 vitamin D blood tests at the clinic and have been surprised how many of our women are deficient. Also, let’s not forget the research showing that Vitamin D is important for men.

We are now able to offer clients a vitamin D blood test at the clinic.  There is increasing evidence to show the importance of vitamin D for a number of functions in the body, including fertility and pregnancy.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D can be classified as both a vitamin and a fat-soluble pro-hormone.  Its metabolic product, calcitriol, is actually a secosteroid hormone that targets over 1000 genes in the human body.  It is needed for many functions in the body and new research is showing that many people are deficient in vitamin D

What is the natural source of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is obtained naturally from two sources: sunlight and food.  It is, however, found in few foods and we get most of our Vitamin D from the action of sunlight on our skin.  Natural food sources of vitamin D include eggs and oily fish such as herring, salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna.  Some foods such as breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D.  Compared with our ancestors, we spend a lot more time indoors, wear more clothes and use sunscreen which lowers the skin’s ability to form vitamin D by more than 95%.  Darker skinned people require at least five times as much sun exposure to form a given amount of vitamin D compared with lighter-skinned people.  Low levels of Vitamin D are a particular problem in winter when there is less natural exposure to sunlight. 

Reasons for considering being tested:

o    Ovulatory problems and PCOS – In a study of 67 women with anovulatory infertility, 93% of women were deficient in Vitamin D.  Supplementing with vitamin D helps to restore normal ovulatory function.[1]  Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent amongst women with PCOS.  Supplementation (alongside calcium) normalises irregular periods.

o    IVF failure – particularly if failing at implantation stage, may be due to Immune issues.  Deficiency of vitamin D is common among people with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to multiple sclerosis.  This may be relevant for women with IVF failure.

o    Miscarriage – Vitamin D deficiency is linked to miscarriage.  It also increases the risk of pre-eclampsia by five-fold.[2]

o    Pregnancy – Supplementing with Vitamin D may enhance the immune function of the placenta and protect it from infection.[3] 

o    Diabetes – low vitamin D status is associated with insulin resistance and has been linked with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

o    Steroids – use of corticosteroids has been found to reduce the activation of vitamin D.

o    Weight control – obesity is associated with a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

o    Depression – Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is linked to limited sunshine exposure and vitamin D supplementation significantly improves mood within days.

o    Migraine headaches – supplementation of calcium and vitamin D in vitamin D deficient women has been shown to reduce frequency, duration and severity of menstrual migraine attacks[4]

Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 forms of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, type 1 diabetes, depression, schizophrenia, chronic pain, rickets, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.  Vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy has been described as an ongoing epidemic and mounting animal research on gestational vitamin D deficiency and its possible effects on the fetus leads some scientists to recommend that pregnant women – or women thinking of becoming pregnant – should have their vitamin D levels checked about every three months.

How do I take the Vitamin D test?

The Vitamin D blood test can be arranged through the clinic and costs £42.  When the result comes back you will be contacted with a recommendation of the vitamin D dose to supplement with. We also advise a repeat test after 3 months on the supplements

The role of Antioxidants in helping to improve sperm quality 

To produce sperm a man’s body needs a good intake of certain nutrients, and there is emerging evidence that antioxidants (usually vitamins E and C and Selenium) may improve sperm quality, and combat excess free radicals that are damaging to sperm.  Free radicals are molecules that are produced by our body as a defence mechanism in order to fight invading viruses and bacteria. At low levels they can help the sperms ability to move and fertilise the egg, however too much of it will damage the sperm and particularly sperm DNA. Lifestyle factors that will increase free radicals include smoking, recreational drugs, high processed foods, transfats, cooking foods at high temperatures and excessive exercise. But the good news is that you can reduce the high levels by eating foods rich in antioxidants and nutrients, or by taking a supplement.

Super antioxidants which include Alpha Lipoic Acid, N-Acetyl Cysteine and Resveratrol, combined with natural antioxidant extracts such as pine bark and mixed berries, can help to protect cells from oxidative stress during the reproductive cycle. I often recommend to my male clients with a history of fertility issues our Vitamen Boost as it contains an extremely wide range of important antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium, plus the aforementioned super antioxidants to help improve the quality of their sperm which hopefully will increase their chance of conceiving naturally or through assisted fertility. But remember that it’s always a good idea to consult a professional about vitamin supplementation.

A few goodies:

Vitamin C
Vitamin C protects sperm from oxidative damage, and certainly improves sperm quality in men who smoke. However, some men have a condition of their sperm called ‘agglutination’ where sperm clump together and fertility is reduced. In these cases, Vitamin C supplement of up to 1 gram a day helps reduce agglutination.  

Foods rich with Vitamin C
Citrus fruits, Kiwi fruit, Strawberries, Black Berries, Red pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage, Brusells, Water-cress 

Vitamin E
A major antioxidant, works with vitamin C and selenium to reduce the amount of free-radical damage done to cells. (if you are taking prescribed medicines for blood pressure or blood thinning medications such as aspirin, heparin or warfarin, please seek medical advice before taking vitamin E) 

Foods rich in Vitamin E
Nuts & seed oils, Wheat-germ & Wheat germ oil, Whole Grains, Eggs, Green Leafy Vegetable

Selenium
This is an essential trace mineral that acts with the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, and is found in large quantities in Brazil nuts. This antioxidant mineral is vital for healthy sperm formation, particularly motility. It also protects against toxic metal contamination. 

Foods rich in Selenium
Brazil nuts, Wheat germ, Oats, Garlic & Onion, Barley, Butter, Smoked Herring,  Brown Rice, Whole Grains

Zinc
A trace mineral, and perhaps one of the most important nutrients in male fertility. Zinc deficiency decreases both testosterone and sperm counts. It is highly concentrated in the seminal fluid and seminal plasma, and the head of sperm contains high amounts. Zinc concentration is significantly correlated with sperm density, motility and visibility.  

Foods rich with Zinc
Meat, Fish, Chicken, Eggs, Pumpkin/Sunflower seeds, Whole Grains, Beans & pulses, Ginger Root

Folic Acid
Women are encouraged to take folic acid supplements while trying to get pregnant, and so should the men as it has been suggested that there is a correlation between folate-rich diets and healthier sperm in men.

Foods rich in Folic Acid
Green leafy vegetables, Beans, Lentils, Asparagus, Oatmeal, Dried figs, Avocado