Benefits And Risks Of Vitamin B-6 For Fertility

Benefits And Risks Of Vitamin B-6 For Fertility

Vitamins, minerals and other substances found in the foods you eat serve several important purposes in the body. When it comes to infertility, whether it affects a man or a woman, nutrient deficiencies linked to reproductive health can result in difficulties in conceiving a baby. Vitamin B6 seems to influence fertility in more ways and increase the consumption of foods rich in this substance or taking supplements may offer benefits, although it may or may not be the only answer, depending on your individual circumstances.

Vitamin B6 and luteal phase

Your menstrual cycle consists of two phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The luteal phase occurs after ovulation, when your body prepares for the implantation of a fertilized egg. If this phase does not last long enough, the ovum can not be implanted and the uterine lining is broken, resulting in a miscarriage. Inappropriate levels of the hormones involved in this process can produce the problem. Licensed acupuncturist Randine Lewis, Ph.D explains that vitamin B6 can raise levels of progesterone, a key hormone in preparing the body for pregnancy, and low levels of prolactin, a hormone that can interfere with this process.

Homocysteine ​​and infertility

Adequate levels of vitamin B6, along with vitamin B12 and folate, keep homocysteine ​​levels low. The amino acid homocysteine ​​that has been linked to heart disease when it occurs at high levels. A Dutch study that appeared in the July 2006 issue of "Human Reproduction" looked at the effects of homocysteine ​​and other chemicals on the fertility of couples going through a reproductive assistance technology.The researchers observed that high levels of homocysteine ​​in sperm were associated with lower quality embryos, which may indicate less possibilities for a successful conception.

Diet rich in vitamin B6 and fertility results

Another Dutch study, which appeared in the November issue of Fertility and Sterility 2010, compared the effects of two types of diets with levels of vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine ​​levels in couples receiving fertility treatments, both considered as healthy diets, the first was rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and low in unhealthy foods such as those rich in saturated fats and pro foods. The second diet was Mediterranean style, rich in vegetable oils such as olive oil; vegetables, fish and vegetables. Although both diets produced healthy folate levels, the Mediterranean diet also produced healthy levels of vitamin B6 in the blood and follicular fluid.Couples who followed the Mediterranean diet were more likely to get pregnant.

Foods rich in vitamin B6 include fortified grain products such as cereal and oats, legumes, baked potatoes, bananas, chicken breast, salmon, nuts, soy, avocado, sunflower seeds and spinach.

Hazards

Increasing your vitamin B6 level does not seem to place any specific fertility hazard, but due to complex connections between nutrients and various bodily processes, you can not be sure. However, consuming too much can result in nerve damage in the arms and legs. To achieve therapeutic effects with natural substances, you usually require more than the recommended daily amount to avoid deficiency. The National Institutes of Health recommend taking no more than 100 mg per day. If you want to use supplements to increase fertility, you should do so only under the supervision of your doctor.

Video Tutorial: Vitamin B6 Benefits - 6 Reasons Why You Will Love B6!.

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