Women trying to conceive should take multivitamins pills as it could double their chances of becoming pregnant, say experts.
The study by the University College London found that women who took multivitamin pills containing vitamins A, C and E, plus zinc and selenium, boosted their fertility by 60%.
Researchers questioned 56 women aged between 18 and 40 who had been struggling to conceive during the last year. Half were given the Vitabiotics Pregnacare-Conception multi-nutrient and the others were given folic acid pills.
The results found that 60% of the women who took the prenatal multivitamins, fell pregnant by IVF and had a healthy, full-term pregnancy. In comparison, the women who just took folic acid only had a 25% pregnancy success rate.
The study, published in the Reproductive Biomedicine journal, also discovered that women taking the multivitamins needed fewer attempts to fall pregnant. Of the 60% of women who fell pregnant while taking the vitamins, 75% conceived during the first course of IVF.
"The implications of this study are far reaching as they suggest that prenatal micronutrient supplementation in women undergoing ovulation induction improve pregnancy rates," says Dr. Rina Agrawal from the study.
"There is a large body of evidence establishing the relationship between placental development, foetal growth, pregnancy outcomes and adequate nutrition, particularly vitamin intake."
If you're struggling to conceive, find out how you can help improve your chances of falling pregnant with these fertility-boosting food tips.
Fertility-Boosting Foods
Natural Ways To Boost Your Fertility(01 of09)
Open Image Modal (credit:Alamy)
Avoid White Bread, Pasta & Rice(02 of09)
Open Image ModalAlthough there is no direct link between refined carbohydrates and infertility, the refining process strips grains of some of the most important fertility-boosting nutrients, such as antioxidants, B vitamins and iron. (credit:Alamy)
Go Organic(03 of09)
Open Image ModalModern methods of food production, involving intensive farming, rob the soil of vital nutrients, so where possible stick to organic produce. Processed foods are packed with additives and preservatives that can upset blood sugar levels and disrupt the body's hormonal balance. (credit:Alamy)
Cut Down On Red Meat(04 of09)
Open Image ModalToo much red meat increases the amount of ammonia in the body, which can interfere with the implantation of the egg in the uterus. Red meat can also be detrimental for men as it increases acidity and affects sperm activity; sperm perform better in alkaline conditions. (credit:Alamy)
Switch To Soya Milk(05 of09)
Open Image ModalThe animal hormones in dairy products can affect your own hormonal balance. If you balk at the richness of soya milk and can't bear to give up your semi-skimmed, switch to organic dairy products instead as these contain lower levels of hormones. (credit:Alamy)
Reduce Your Alcohol Intake(06 of09)
Open Image ModalCurb Caffeine(07 of09)
Open Image ModalWhile you don't need to give up your morning coffee, caffeine does constrict the blood vessels, slowing blood flow to the uterus and potentially making it harder for an egg to grab hold. So, if you're having any trouble conceiving, or undergoing IVF treatment, you might want to go easy on the double espressos. (credit:Alamy)
Get Your Five-A-Day(08 of09)
Open Image ModalAside from being packed with vitamins and minerals, fruit and vegetables are packed with antioxidants that attack free-radicals (harmful molecules that can damage the ova, sperm and reproductive organs). (credit:Alamy)
Fertility-Friendly Vitamins(09 of09)
Open Image ModalZinc helps to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle as well as being vital during pregnancy to aid cell division in a developing foetus. Folic acid (Vitamin B6), together with zinc, is essential in the function of female sex hormones. Vitamin B12 is also very important as it maximises the absorption of folic acid. Taking a multi-vitamin tablet designed especially for conception is a good way to ensure you're getting enough of these valuable nutrients. Marmite is also a great source! (credit:Alamy)