How iron boosts fertility

27 Jul

How iron boosts fertility

Fertility in women depends on several factors starting from lifestyle choices and genetics to nutrition. Like all the various nutrients that are critical to maintaining the healthy functioning of the body, iron in diet plays an important role in preventing disorders that directly affect fertility, such as iron deficiency anaemia and ovulatory infertility.

Role of Iron in the body and Pregnancy

Iron is the critical element the body needs to produce haemoglobin which is present in the red blood cells. Haemoglobin is essential to carrying oxygen in the blood to all the parts of the body and also to the developing fetus. Pregnancy doubles the demand for iron, and the reserves stored in the body prior to conception might not be enough to meet the increased need. Not having enough iron in the body leads to anaemia which not only makes it harder to conceive but iron deficiency in pregnancy also carries the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, increased risk of infant death and postpartum depression.

Iron and Anemia

Anaemia is a condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to transport adequate oxygen to all parts of the body. It leads to the person becoming tired and weak. Anaemia caused by iron deficiency is the most common type of disorder that can affect fertility and pregnancy.

Iron and ovulatory infertility

Ovulatory disorders relate to a group of conditions that are some of the leading causes of infertility in women. The disorders are characterized by failure of ovulation to occur or ovulation that occurs on an irregular basis. A long-term study established a link between iron deficiency anaemia and anovulation- a condition where no eggs are released during the menstrual cycle.

Iron deficiency and low transport of oxygen to the tissues might be a cause for poor oocyte quality (poor health of eggs) and low endometrial receptivity. The combination of lack of good quality eggs and the effect on the uterus’s readiness for pregnancy can make conception nearly impossible, leading to infertility.

Getting adequate iron intake

Many women stop iron supplements when they run into side effects such as nausea, gastritis and constipation. However, it is essential to build up the body’s reserves of iron before planning to get pregnant. While many food sources contain iron, not all are fertility-boosting foods. Iron comes in two forms: heme and non-heme iron. The non-heme type is what is found in all plant-based sources such as green leafy vegetables, beans, dried fruits, whole grains, eggs and iron-fortified foods.

The heme type is found in animal sources such as red meat, poultry and fish. It is important to know that the body absorbs non-heme iron much more readily, and hence more meat-based sources could be added to the diet to meet the iron demand. Also, it is beneficial to consume sources of vitamin-c such as citrus juices along with non-heme iron foods to increase absorption.

Conclusion

Although the link between iron and fertility is not direct, iron’s influence on infertility is undeniable. Iron deficiency anaemia can cause ovulatory disorders that can cause infertility in women, and including food sources rich in iron along with supplements can help improve fertility.

References:

https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/nutrition/iron-and-pregnancy-why-you-need-it-how-much-and-how-to-get-it/

https://www.shadygrovefertility.com/diagnosing-infertility/infertility-causes/female-infertility-causes/ovulatory-disorder#:~:text=The%20Basics-,The%20Basics,the%20leading%20causes%20of%20infertility.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04510870

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17077236/

https://fertilitypedia.org/edu/risk-factors/anemia