New Study Points To Likely Inflammation-Reducing Benefits Of Zita West Ultra Omega For Fertility

Chronic, low‑grade inflammation is increasingly recognised as a hidden driver of sub‑fertility in both natural conception and IVF. Reducing this "background" inflammation may help create a healthier environment for egg, sperm and early pregnancy.

Recent clinical data on a herring caviar–derived omega‑3 oil, closely related to the oil used in Zita West Ultra Omega, now shows a significant reduction in a robust blood marker of systemic inflammation, opening up an exciting new angle on omega‑3 and fertility.

Let's unpack how systemic inflammation affects fertility, what the new study found, why phospholipid omega‑3s may be uniquely powerful, and how to use omega‑3 strategically when you are trying to conceive.

What is systemic inflammation and why does it matter for fertility?

Systemic inflammation is the "baseline" level of immune activation running in the background of your body all the time. It is influenced by diet, stress, weight, gut health, hormones, sleep and environmental exposures, and it often rises years before obvious disease develops.

For fertility, higher systemic inflammation has been associated with poorer egg and sperm quality, lower implantation rates and higher risk of early pregnancy loss.¹ Several recent studies have used the Systemic Immune‑Inflammation Index (SII) (calculated from neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets in a routine blood count) to quantify this hidden inflammatory burden, with higher SII linked to poorer IVF outcomes and higher miscarriage risk.²

Meet SII: the blood marker used in the new omega‑3 study

The Systemic Immune‑Inflammation Index (SII) is a composite score that reflects both inflammatory and immune status. In dermatology, SII correlates closely with psoriasis severity and disease flares, and is now being used as a standard marker of systemic inflammation in a range of inflammatory conditions.

In reproductive medicine, elevated SII before IVF stimulation has been associated with lower pregnancy rates, lower live birth rates and higher early pregnancy loss, independent of age, BMI and ovarian reserve.¹ One large retrospective study of women undergoing IVF found that those in the highest SII quartile had worse implantation and live birth outcomes than those with lower SII values, suggesting a clinically relevant threshold of inflammation beyond which reproductive outcomes decline.

A separate study in spontaneous pregnancies reported higher first‑trimester SII associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.²

The HeROPA HRO350 trial: 25% reduction in systemic inflammation

The HeROPA Phase 2b clinical trial investigated HRO350, a herring roe (caviar) oil rich in phospholipid‑bound EPA and DHA, in over 500 adults with mild‑to‑moderate psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Although the primary focus was skin improvement, the study also rigorously tracked systemic inflammation using SII over 52 weeks.³

Key findings relevant to fertility and general inflammation:

• 25% reduction in SII: In the per‑protocol population, patients receiving HRO350 had a statistically significant 25% reduction in SII compared with placebo (p ≤ 0.01), indicating a meaningful lowering of systemic inflammation rather than just local skin changes.
• Early and sustained effects: Reductions in SII appeared as early as week 26 and were maintained at one year, suggesting a sustained anti‑inflammatory effect with ongoing supplementation.
• Stronger response in lower baseline inflammation: Patients with SII below approximately 500 at baseline (representing mild‑to‑moderate systemic inflammation) had both greater SII reductions and better skin outcomes, implying that people with "everyday" inflammation may respond particularly well.

For a fertility audience, the main takeaway is that a phospholipid‑rich herring caviar omega‑3 at a clinically tested dose can meaningfully lower a validated systemic inflammation marker that is independently associated with IVF outcomes and miscarriage risk.

Age and weight: why the under‑50, under‑98 kg group matters for TTC

Detailed analyses from the HeROPA trial also looked at how age and body weight affected response to HRO350. In these analyses, younger and lighter patients responded better to the herring caviar omega‑3 than their older or heavier counterparts.

• Age: Patients under 50 years showed higher rates of achieving clear‑or‑almost‑clear skin and greater reductions in SII than those over 50, while placebo response rates were lower in the under‑50 group.
• Weight: Patients under 98 kg had a markedly higher response rate than those above 98 kg, again despite similar placebo rates.

From a fertility perspective, this is particularly relevant because most women and men trying to conceive fall into the under‑50 and often under‑98 kg categories, suggesting that the typical TTC population may be especially responsive to the inflammation‑reducing effects of this type of omega‑3 when used at appropriate doses.

How does omega‑3 help reduce inflammation?

Omega‑3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are precursors to specialised pro‑resolving mediators (SPMs), molecules that actively help the body switch off inflammation and promote tissue repair, rather than simply blocking inflammatory pathways.⁴ Herring caviar oil is naturally rich in phospholipid‑bound EPA and DHA, which appear to be more efficiently incorporated into cell membranes and may generate higher levels of these pro‑resolving compounds.

Several lines of evidence support the anti‑inflammatory effects of omega‑3:

• Human trials and meta‑analyses show omega‑3 supplementation can reduce markers such as C‑reactive protein and improve inflammatory conditions.⁵
• Experimental models indicate that EPA/DHA in phospholipid form produce stronger anti‑inflammatory and metabolic benefits than the same dose in triglyceride form, including higher levels of DHA‑derived anti‑inflammatory metabolites.⁴
• The HeROPA data now add clinical evidence that phospholipid‑rich herring caviar oil can significantly reduce SII over a year in a large, real‑world inflammatory condition.

For people trying to conceive, this matters because lower systemic inflammation is associated with better reproductive outcomes, especially in IVF and in conditions like PCOS, where inflammation and insulin resistance often coexist.

Does taking omega‑3 really improve fertility?

Evidence is growing that omega‑3 intake can positively influence both natural and medically assisted fertility, although it is not a magic bullet and works best alongside wider lifestyle changes.

Key findings from recent research:

• A large prospective study of women aged 30–44 trying to conceive naturally found that those who regularly used omega‑3 supplements had around 1.5 times the probability of conceiving in any given cycle compared with non‑users, after adjusting for age, BMI and other factors.⁶
• A meta‑analysis of clinical trials suggests that omega‑3‑rich diets or supplements significantly improve pregnancy and fertilisation rates in women, particularly in those with underlying metabolic or inflammatory issues.⁸
• In women with PCOS undergoing fertility treatment, omega‑3 supplementation has been shown to improve clinical pregnancy rates, with especially strong effects in overweight and obese women.⁹

While these studies use different formulations and doses, together they support the growing body of evidence that suggests optimising omega‑3 status and reducing inflammation can be a meaningful part of a fertility strategy for both natural conception and IVF. 

Phospholipid vs triglyceride omega‑3: what’s the difference?

Most fish oils supply EPA and DHA in triglyceride form, whereas herring caviar oil (and krill oil) naturally deliver them attached to phospholipids, the same type of fat structure that makes up cell membranes. This structural difference may translate into important practical advantages.

Current evidence suggests:

• Better absorption and bioavailability: Phospholipid‑bound omega‑3s are more water‑dispersible and integrate more easily into micelles and cell membranes, which appears to enhance absorption and raise tissue levels of EPA and DHA at lower doses in some studies.⁷
• Stronger anti‑inflammatory and metabolic effects: Experimental work comparing diets enriched with DHA/EPA as phospholipids versus triglycerides has found that phospholipid forms produce more favourable effects on inflammation, insulin sensitivity and liver fat, even when total omega‑3 content is matched.⁴
• Digestive comfort: Because phospholipid omega‑3s mix better with the watery environment of the gut, many people find them easier to tolerate, with less reflux or "fishy burps" than concentrated triglyceride oils.

For fertility, phospholipid omega‑3s may therefore allow you to achieve stronger anti‑inflammatory and cell‑membrane benefits, important for egg, sperm and endometrial health, at a practical daily dose.

How might inflammation reduction support egg health, sperm quality and implantation? 

Although the HeROPA study did not specifically measure fertility outcomes, the SII data can be linked to emerging reproductive research to build plausible likelihoods.

• Egg and embryo quality: Excess systemic inflammation can increase oxidative stress in the follicles and endometrium. Studies linking higher SII to poorer IVF outcomes suggest that women with higher baseline inflammation have lower implantation and live birth rates, perhaps because the uterine environment is less receptive.¹
• Early pregnancy and miscarriage: A recent cohort study found that higher SII in early pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of miscarriage, even after adjusting for other factors. This implies that systemic inflammation may influence pregnancy stability in the first trimester.²
• Male fertility: Omega‑3 intake has been associated with better semen parameters in several studies, likely via effects on sperm membrane composition and inflammation. Reviews on omega‑3 and fertility highlight improvements in sperm count, motility and morphology after supplementation in men with suboptimal semen quality.¹⁰

By lowering SII, a herring caviar–derived phospholipid omega‑3 may therefore help create a calmer immune environment in which eggs mature, sperm function and embryos implant more successfully.

What dose was used and what does this mean for your TCC journey?

In the HeROPA trial, the clinically effective anti‑inflammatory dose equivalent for the herring caviar–derived oil corresponds to approximately five capsules per day of a formulation similar to Zita West Ultra Omega, rather than the more typical two‑capsule dose. This higher intake aligns with other studies where anti‑inflammatory benefits of omega‑3s generally require sustained, clinically targeted dosing rather than the recommended intakes.

From a practical fertility‑support standpoint:

• Two capsules per day may be suitable as an everyday, long‑term omega‑3 foundation. A five‑capsule‑per‑day regimen is closer to the dose used in the HeROPA study and would typically be used for defined periods such as the 3–6 months before trying to conceive, or ahead of an IVF cycle.
• Because age, weight and baseline inflammation all influence response, younger, lighter individuals, which most people in a TTC clinic profile are, may obtain stronger benefits from a targeted higher dose, particularly when combined with other lifestyle measures that reduce inflammation (e.g. Mediterranean‑style diet, good sleep, exercise).

If you’re considering increasing your current dose of omega-3, you should always discuss higher‑dose omega‑3 strategies with your doctor or fertility specialist, particularly if you are on blood‑thinning medications or have underlying medical conditions. We offer free 20 minute 1:1 consultations with our in-house team of fertility nutritionists. To understand whether omega-3 might be right for your journey, tap here to book yours.

How to reduce inflammation for fertility (beyond omega‑3)

Omega‑3 is one part of an anti‑inflammatory fertility plan. To support trying to conceive, you may also find the below evidence‑informed strategies valuable: 

• Adopt a Mediterranean‑style pattern: Including vegetables, fruit, extra‑virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, oily fish and whole grains. This diet is repeatedly associated with lower systemic inflammation and better fertility outcomes. Learn more about the Mediterranean-style diet here.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess adipose tissue is metabolically active and can raise inflammatory cytokines and SII. Even modest weight loss in overweight individuals often improves both inflammation markers and fertility metrics.
• Support gut health: A diverse, fibre‑rich diet and probiotic foods help maintain gut barrier function and reduce endotoxin‑driven inflammation, which may indirectly support reproductive hormone balance. Learn more about probiotics and fertility here.
• Manage stress and sleep: Chronic stress and short sleep upregulate inflammatory pathways; mind‑body interventions have been shown to reduce inflammatory markers and may improve IVF outcomes in some studies.

 

Key takeaways for those who are trying to conceive

• A herring caviar–derived, phospholipid‑rich omega‑3 similar to Zita West Ultra Omega has been shown to reduce the Systemic Immune‑Inflammation Index (SII) by around 25% over 52 weeks in a large clinical trial, with stronger responses in people under 50 and under 98 kg.
• Elevated SII is linked to poorer IVF outcomes and higher miscarriage risk, so lowering systemic inflammation may be an important new way omega‑3 supports fertility beyond classic effects on egg and sperm membranes.
• Phospholipid omega‑3s appear to offer superior absorption and anti‑inflammatory effects compared with triglyceride fish oils, making them a strong candidate for targeted preconception support at an appropriate, clinically informed dose.

References

1. Li X et al. Association between the systemic immune‑inflammation index and IVF outcomes in women undergoing a GnRH antagonist protocol. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 
2. Sun K et al. Association between systemic immune‑inflammation index and miscarriage risk. J Prod Immunol.
3. New positive data showing anti‑inflammatory effects of HRO350 in the HeROPA trial. Arctic Bioscience.
4. Rossmeisl M et al. Metabolic effects of n‑3 PUFA as phospholipids are superior to triglycerides in mice fed a high‑fat diet. PLoS One.
5. Krupa KN et al. Omega‑3 Fatty Acids. PubMed.
6. Mumford SL et al. Omega‑3 fatty acid supplementation and fecundability. Human Reproduction.
7. Schoen C et al. Enhanced absorption of omega‑3 fatty acids from a novel phospholipids + EPA/DHA formulation (PL+). Science Direct.
8. Trop-Steinberg S et al. Effect of omega-3 supplements or diets on fertility in women: A meta-analysis. PubMed.
9. Trop-Steinberg S et al. Omega-3 Intake Improves Clinical Pregnancy Rate in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Study. PubMed.
10. Safarinejad M R et al. Relationship of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with semen characteristics, and anti-oxidant status of seminal plasma: A comparison between fertile and infertile men. Science Direct.