Vitamins |
Male Fertility |
Female Fertility |
Pregnancy |
Birth & Baby Outcomes |
Postnatal Outcomes for Mama |
A
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Antioxidant |
Healthy mucus and mucous membranes, reproductive hormones and reproductive organs, antioxidant |
Essential for good foetal growth and development, also for carrying baby to term and reducing miscarriage rates |
Deficiency or excess leads to birth defects |
Breast milk production |
B Complex: B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6 (Pyridoxine), Biotin |
Sex hormone production |
Hormonal balance, progesterone levels and stress response |
Supports energy, stress response and haem synthesis in blood. B6 may help reduce nausea. |
Supports normal development in baby and maintains energy and nervous system in mother |
Deficiency may increase risk of PostNatal Depression |
Folic Acid |
Just as important for men! Improves all parameters of sperm quantity and quality. |
Egg quality and maturation |
Implantation, development of the placenta and foetus, protects against neural tube defects. Requirements double during pregnancy. |
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B12 |
Healthy motile sperm |
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Deficiency may increase chance of miscarriage, Important for cell division, DNA production, Red Blood Cells, nervous system development |
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C |
Improves all sperm parameters |
May assist with progesterone balance, protects eggs from DNA damage |
May reduce risk of miscarriage, toxaemia |
Protective against varicose veins |
Involved in tissue repair and healing |
D |
Deficiency can reduce sperm count and motility |
Supports fertility, increases chances of conception via IVF |
Skeletal development |
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Deficiency may increase risk of PostNatal Depression |
E |
Sperm count, motility and morphology
Antioxidant to protect sperm |
Oestrogen regulation |
Strengthens amniotic membranes |
Reduced risk of premature rupture of membranes, cystic fibrosis, hydrocephalus, preeclampsia |
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K |
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Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, blood clotting |
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Minerals |
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Iron |
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Improves ovulation |
Essential for adequate blood supply, oxygenation of all tissues, foetal development, placental growth |
Deficiency can be associated with low birth weight, premature birth. Needed for proper clotting. |
Important for energy and recovery |
Zinc |
Testosterone production, sperm production and sperm motility. |
Improves egg development and ovulation, helps with hormonal synthesis. |
Maintains elasticity of tissues, may prevent against stretch-marks, supports growth, cell replication, immunity |
Deficiency may be associated with miscarriage, toxaemia, premature birth and low birth weight. |
Deficiency may increase risk of PostNatal Depression
Involved in tissue repair and healing |
Magnesium |
Prevents free radical damage to sperm |
Hormonal balance, muscle tone, mucus health, nervous system |
Reduces cramping, support sleep |
Improves uterine contractions, reduces risk of miscarriage, premature labour, low birth weight, toxemia |
Deficiency may increase risk of PostNatal Depression |
Calcium |
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Good fertile mucus and tone of uterine muscles |
Foetal skeletal development |
Reduces risk of toxaemia
May reduce length and pain of labour |
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Iodine |
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Reproductive and thyroid health |
Essential for foetal development of nervous system |
Essential for baby’s development of nervous system, cognition etc |
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Chromium |
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May help with nausea, reduce risk of gestational diabetes, reduce sugar cravings, support good energy supply to the foetus as helps with insulin production |
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Selenium |
Antioxidant for healthy cell division, can increase sperm count and quality. |
Antioxidant for healthy cell division |
Protects against chromosomal damage. |
Deficiency may be associated with low birth weight and retained placenta |
Deficiency may increase risk of PostNatal Depression |
Other nutrients |
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA) |
Sperm quality and quantity |
Healthy prostaglandins and hormonal balance, reduces inflammation |
Foetal brain, eye, nervous system development |
Infant brain, eye, nervous system development |
Deficiency may increase risk of PostNatal Depression |
Coenzyme Q10 |
Improves mitochondrial function of the sperm, increasing overall vitality |
An important nutrient especially for aging eggs, CoQ10 helps the mitochondrial function of the egg and is essential for cellular division after fertilisation. |
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