Mediterranean diet may support IVF success

The Mediterranean Diet is praised for many health benefits including a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and improved cardiovascular health… but could it help with fertility, too? According to a new study, yes—especially if you’re undergoing IVF.

The research was published on Dec. 19 in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. It comes after another report out this year that found the eating plan was helpful if you’re trying to conceive.

In the latest paper, a researcher conducted an analysis on nutrients and diets that are thought to improve IVF outcomes. 

Following the Mediterranean diet during IVF offers a “straightforward approach” to improve outcomes compared to using a Western diet.

Roger Hart, MD, a fertility specialist at University of Western Australia and City Fertility in Perth, Australia, examined evidence on nutritional supplements and diets commonly used in people who are trying to conceive.

“Nutritional supplements are usually not prescribed but bought online or over-the-counter. They’re self-medicated and solid data on usage is impossible to determine. Our information is largely anecdotal but it’s quite clear from online IVF discussion forums that they are widely used and of great public interest,” he said.

Dr. Hart looked at dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), melatonin, co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ1O), carnitine, selenium, Vitamin D, myo-inositol, Omega-3, Chinese herbs and several diets (as well as weight loss). When he did, he found that the strongest evidence indicated a Mediterranean diet can help in terms of embryo development and pregnancy outcome.

What’s so special about following a Mediterranean eating plan for fertility? The diet encourages eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and monounsaturated or polyunsaturated oils. It also steers people away from highly processed foods. 

“These diets are high in B-vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids and fiber and are low in saturated fat, sugar and sodium,” Dr. Hart said. Omega-3 fatty acids, often taken as combined preparations, are the most studied dietary fatty acids with regard to IVF. Evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty acids ‘may be beneficial’ in improving IVF clinical outcomes and embryo quality.

People who take CoQ-10 and DHEA before starting IVF may find that useful if you didn’t have positive results from ovarian stimulation, while supplementation with omega-3 free-fatty acids may indeed improve some clinical and embryological outcomes, Dr. Hart says. Don’t forget about folate either, Dr. Hart adds. 

Though following a certain diet can’t guarantee that your IVF journey will end on the best note possible, it does give some scientific basis for what to eat—and what to avoid—if you’re TTC.