The link between vitamin E and fertility

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Ho Viet Le Diem - General Internal Medicine - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Vitamin E is a compound found in sperm and eggs. Not only helps protect cell membranes against the damage of free radicals, prevents mental disorders, anemia and viral infections, vitamin E also works to increase fertility in both men and women.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that prevents toxins such as lead, carbon tetrachloride, mercury, benzene,... Besides, this vitamin also works to enhance fertility for women. with both men and women. Specifically:
1.1 For men Increase sperm motility: sperm motility is one of the factors that play a decisive role in the ability to conceive. Vitamin E is a nutrient that can prevent free radicals from affecting sperm motility, helping sperm move faster and easier to reach an egg for fertilization. Improve sperm count: if sperm count is low, men are at high risk of infertility. Normally, 1ml of semen needs to contain about 20 million sperm to be considered good. The main cause of low sperm count is infection and injury. Here, vitamin E acts as a barrier to protect the sperm from harmful factors, ensuring that the sperm count can meet the egg to fertilize it. Boost sex drive: Many studies show that eating foods rich in vitamin E helps increase testosterone hormone levels in the body. When this hormone increases, men will have more desire for sex and this is the solution to improve male fertility. Increase the success rate of IVF: research shows that men who regularly eat foods rich in vitamin E have a 29% higher success rate of IVF than men other.

1.2 For women Thickening of the uterine lining: one of the causes of female infertility is the thin lining of the uterus. Getting enough vitamin E every day can increase blood flow to the arteries and increase the thickness of the lining of the uterus, helping to improve a woman's fertility. Treatment of cystic fibrosis of the breast: this is a phenomenon in which benign tumors appear during menstruation, causing swelling and pain in women. Vitamin E can reduce these tumors, reduce uncomfortable symptoms for women. Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: this is a syndrome that causes hormonal imbalance, slowing down the body's metabolic rate. Many studies show that using vitamin E in the right dosage can effectively support the treatment of this condition. Reducing symptoms of menstrual discomfort: For women in menopause, some studies show that vitamin E works to reduce hot flashes and menstrual disorders. For teenage girls, vitamin E may provide some relief from menstrual cramps.

Protection of the amniotic sac: the amniotic sac protects and protects the fetus in the uterus. In some cases, the amniotic sac can rupture, endangering the fetus. With vitamin E, the amniotic sac membrane will be thicker, preventing the risk of rupture of the amniotic sac, giving pregnant women a healthy pregnancy.

2.1 About dosage Although vitamin E is very good for reproductive health, too much can cause negative effects on the body. If abused vitamin E can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flu,... Some studies show that pregnant women using too much vitamin E additives can increase the infant's risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, scientists recommend that each person should only supplement 500-1000mg of vitamin E daily. Besides, to ensure safety, before taking vitamin E supplements, users should consult a doctor to receive the best advice.
2.2 About sources of vitamin E Food
The best source of vitamin E supplements is from food. Users should build a healthy, balanced diet, free of harmful cholesterol. In addition, couples should eat more foods rich in vitamin E to increase fertility such as:

Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, cabbage, and spinach. Egg yolks, seafood and poultry. Avocado: contains less saturated fat and starch, rich in nutrients that the body needs, especially rich vitamin E content. Tomatoes: rich in vitamins E, K, potassium, iron and folic acid are very good for reproductive health. Papaya: can provide the body with up to 17% of the vitamin E needed for the whole day. Kiwi: rich in vitamin E and vitamin C, helps to improve the immune system and enhance fertility. Red Bell Peppers: Rich in antioxidants, vitamins E, C and iron. This fruit provides about 12% of the amount of vitamin E the body needs each day. Kinds of bean. If your body is severely deficient in vitamin E, it will not be enough to supplement vitamin E through your daily diet. In this case, users can use additional vitamin E supplements as prescribed by the doctor.