Vitafem: What The Research Tells Us

This article explores the research behind key vitamins and minerals that support female fertility. It unpacks the scientific rationale for including these nutrients in Vitafem, our preconception supplement.

A growing body of evidence supports the role of targeted micronutrient supplementation for women trying to conceive (TTC), including those undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART). The three months leading up to conception represent a critical window for optimising reproductive health, and addressing potential micronutrient deficiencies can have meaningful impacts on conception and pregnancy outcomes.

The Role of Key Vitamins and Minerals in Fertility

Micronutrients are involved in a range of physiological processes related to fertility, including oocyte quality, fertilisation, embryo development, and implantation ^[1]. Even marginal deficiencies can impair these processes and reduce the likelihood of conception.

Folate

The NHS recommends that women who are TTC take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Supplementation with the active form, folate, can reduce the risk of neural tube defects and may support early embryonic development more effectively in individuals with common MTHFR gene variations.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for vascular tone, muscle function, nerve transmission, and hormonal signalling. During pregnancy, maternal calcium stores—primarily from bone—are drawn upon for foetal skeletal development.

Deficiency risks:

• Lower vitamin D status
• Increased likelihood of gestational hypertension
• Higher risk of pre-eclampsia ^[2]

Iodine

Iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production, which regulates metabolism and reproductive function. In a population-based cohort study, moderate to severe iodine deficiency was associated with:

• Delayed conception
• 46% lower chance of conceiving per menstrual cycle compared to iodine-sufficient women ^[3]

Thyroid dysfunction linked to iodine deficiency can also lead to menstrual disturbances and early pregnancy loss.

Zinc, Selenium, and Copper

• Zinc supports hormone production, oocyte maturation, and is involved in fertilisation processes.
• Selenium acts as an antioxidant, contributes to thyroid health, and plays a role in oocyte development.
• Copper regulates oxidative stress and is essential for enzymatic reactions during early gestation.

In a study of over 1,000 pregnant women, low zinc or selenium levels were linked with:

• Delayed time to conception (by approximately one month)
• Higher rates of subfertility (defined as >12 months to conceive) ^[4]

Magnesium

Magnesium is key to glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and hormone regulation. It is especially relevant in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or metabolic dysfunction, who are at increased risk of insulin resistance and associated fertility challenges ^[5].

Clinical Relevance

Preconception supplementation with bioavailable forms of essential micronutrients is an important consideration for women with:

• Known subfertility
• PCOS or insulin resistance
• Thyroid dysfunction
• High oxidative stress
• History of miscarriage or pre-eclampsia

Addressing nutritional gaps in the months prior to conception can optimise reproductive function and improve outcomes in early pregnancy.

References

1. Schaefer E, Nock D. The impact of preconceptional multiple-micronutrient supplementation on female fertility. Clin Med Insights Womens Health. 2019.
2. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recommendations on adolescent, preconception, and maternal nutrition: "Think Nutrition First."
3. Delayed conception in women with low-urinary iodine concentrations: a population-based prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod, 33(3), 2018.
4. Nutrients 2019, 11(7), 1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071609
5. Insulin resistance and serum magnesium concentrations among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Curr Dev Nutr, 3(11), 2019.