Cited by 92Nutritional Studies and DietReproductive Health and TechnologiesReproductive Biology and Fertility

Diet and female fertility: doctor, what should I eat?

Open access
Chiu, Yu-Han, Chavarro, Jorge E., Souter, Irene·2018·Fertility and Sterility

Abstract

Fecundity is the capacity to produce offspring. Identifying dietary factors that influence human fecundity is of major clinical and public health significance. This review focuses on the evidence from epidemiologic literature for the relationships between key nutritional factors and female reproductive potential. According to existing data, women trying to achieve pregnancy are encouraged to increase consumption of whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids, fish, and soy and to reduce consumption of trans fats and red meat. In addition, a daily multivitamin that contains folic acid before and during pregnancy may not only prevent birth defects, but also improve the chance of achieving and maintaining a pregnancy. In contrast, there is limited evidence supporting an association between vitamin D and human fecundity outcomes despite promising evidence from nonhuman studies. Questions for future research included the roles of other types of fat (especially omega-6 and monounsaturated fats) and protein (especially white meat and seafood) on female fertility; particular attention should also be paid to exposure to environmental contaminants in foods. Although much work remains, this review accrued best available evidence to provide practical dietary recommendations for women trying to conceive.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.05.027

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Authors
Chiu, Y.-H., Chavarro, J. E., & Souter, I.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Souter, Irene
Venue
Fertility and Sterility
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-09
Volume
110
Issue
4
Pages
560-569
ISSN
0015-0282 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2892380009
Cited by
91
References
176
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2
FWCI
1.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Fertility and Sterility (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Keywords
female fertility, fecundity, diet, dietary factors, whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids, fish consumption, soybean, trans fatty acids, red meat, multivitamins, folic acid, vitamin D, pregnancy, environmental pollutants, dietary recommendations
MeSH terms
Congenital Abnormalities, Diet, Healthy, Diet, Dietary Fats, Female, Folic Acid, Humans, Infertility, Female, Physician-Patient Relations, Pregnancy, Dietary Supplements

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