

Peter Kovacs, MD, PhD


December 06, 2018

What Should I Eat to Enhance Fertility?

A young fertile couple's chance of conceiving in the first month they try is 25%-30%.[1] By the end of the first year, about 85% of couples achieve a success; the remaining 15% are diagnosed with infertility.[2]

Infertility has many known causes (eg, ovulatory defect, tubal occlusion, low sperm counts), and many factors lower the chance of pregnancy (eg, older age, lower ovarian reserve, endometriosis). There are modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for infertility or reduced fertility. Although some factors can't be altered (eg, age and ovarian reserve), others, such as body weight and lifestyle habits, are modifiable.

Patients frequently ask providers to offer them guidance on the ideal diet to improve their chances of conceiving and carrying a pregnancy to term. A recent review by Chiu and colleagues[3] summarizes the available epidemiologic literature on the reproductive benefits of diets and dietary supplements.

Nutrition and Fertility: Review Findings

This article reviews the potential benefits of consumption of certain micronutrients, macronutrients, and dietary patterns. The following conclusions are drawn from this review:









With respect to overall diet, women are advised to follow a caloric intake that won't contribute to being overweight or obese. Obesity is on the rise among younger people, including children. Obese women have a lower chance of conceiving and are less likely to have an uncomplicated pregnancy.[7] Proper weight can be maintained with an appropriate diet and regular exercise.


Unfortunately, very few large studies are available to guide us in our recommendations to patients. Most of the available literature is based on retrospective data. Therefore, prospective, randomized studies are urgently needed to study the association between nutrition and fertility, as well as dietary influences on pregnancy outcomes.


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