Please find below a list of vitamins and supplement for improving your chances of conceiving for both men and women. I have collated information from hours of online research and hopefully have the majority of the latest info added here, as well as the required dosages (often in ranges as usage varies even with the experts!). Please though note that I am not a doctor and this is what I took (and it worked for me), so feel free to do more of your own research and adjust to what suits you and your partner. Please also feel free to add further info if you come across something. I have kept it simple as I often find there is just too much info to wade through, when you just want answers, but if you do google searches, you will find more info on all. Also - at the end I have added a short list of where I sourced my supplements from, together with the prices as of Oct 2012.
As both eggs and sperm take around 3 months to make, it is advisable to start taking most of these 3 months prior to conceiving/treatment.
General info for both:
Drink at least 6 glasses of water a day (very very important). No caffeine -even decaf coffee/tea contains some caffeine - rather stick to herbal teas (and make sure these are true herbal teas and not black tea flavoured). No alcohol. No smoking. Try and eat organic food or at least non genetically modified food. Avoid aspartame. Get some exercise to improve blood flow and wellbeing. Avoid strong chemicals and try and use natural products for skin (e.g. coconut oil for moisturiser) and general household (e.g. white vinegar for cleaning). If using a lubricant - use egg white rather than store bought ones as the latter may damage sperm. Lots of ladies also do accupuncture.
For those also wanting to follow a high protein diet - here is an awesome list put together by another FF member (suzymc) re the nutritional value of many foods. Any of the produce with high protein she has listed the protein content per weight of: http://www.fertilityfriendlyrecipes.co.uk/#!nutritional-information/cfvg
Section 1: For Women, these are the most important ones, on a daily basis, take:
I took the supplements in this section (Section 1). The Section 2 is for additional information and specific conditions. I took a general multivitamin from Costco (apparently one of the best on the market after tests of several leading brands) which covered many of the general vitamins and minerals on the list in section 1. Then I also mixed and matched various other ones which I just bought off the shelf at general grocery stores like asda, boots etc. like extra vit C, E, zinc etc. I was not extra strict with which ones I took every day. I did not take the maximum dosage of any of the general vitamins - I just aimed for somewhere in the middle and some days took more and some days took less. For the other supplements, I also did not take the maximum dosage every day - I varied them slightly EXCEPT for the DHEA, myo inositol and melatonin which I took the full dosage always.
Zinc 15 mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Critical to the rapid development of the egg within the follicle especially with IVF where many eggs are developing at the same time. Helps prevent miscarriages.
Vitamin C: 500mg - 750mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Corrects luteal-phase-defect as it boosts progesterone and oestrogen levels. Improves pregnancy rates and helps prevents miscarriages. Too much Vitamin C can dry up cervical mucous
Vitamin E: 200 IUIs.
Take prior to conception. Improves egg quality
Vitamin D : Between 1500 IUIs - 2000 IUIs .
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Ideal level for improved fertility is between 50 - 80 ng/ml of Vitamin D in your blood. Vitamin D3 is best form of the vitamin. Ensure that you also have taken Vitamin A and K to balance the Vitamin D. Improves fertility. Not more than 4000 IUIs per day. Very high levels (240000 IUIs) shown to reduce fertility. Problems arise when you have too much vitamin D and too little vitamins A and K
Vitamin B6: 10mg per day.
Take with other B vitamins to help with the absorption - especially B12. Can increase to 50mg when short term booster is needed. Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Zinc helps absorption. Lengthens luteal phase and helps produce progesterone. The set tolerable upper limit is 100mgs per day. Higher doses can cause nerve ending damage. B6 can disguise a B12 deficiency/anaemia, so increase your B12 if taking higher doses of B6. Higher levels of B12 (than the RDA) are safe to take. Do not take more than 100mgs unless prescribed by a doctor. Higher doses should only be taken for a short term period
Vitamin B complex - take a multivitamin with around the RDA of each in it.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Balances out hormones and encourages pregnancy. Listed here are the RDAs for females:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 1.1mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 1.1mg
Vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide) 14mg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) 5mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, or pyridoxine hydrochloride) 1.3mg
Vitamin B7 (biotin) 30mcg
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) 400mcg
Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements) 2.4mcg
Vitamin A: 700IUIs - 900IUIs.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Promotes better cervical fluid. Assists the follicles in maturing properly. Contains important antioxidants. Important for DNA replication. Do not exceed this dose (so if included in a multivitamin, do not take extra). Avoid the synthetic version of vitamin A - high levels (10,000 IUs + a day) have been shown to increase the chances of birth defects
Selenium: 100ug twice a day = total 200ug.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Promotes implantation, prevents miscarriage. Don't exceed dose as can be toxic
Myo-Inositol: 2g twice a day = total 4g (2000mg) per day.
Taken from 3 months prior to conception. Improves egg quality. Helps restore fertility in woman with PCOS. https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/supplements-and-miscarriage/d-chiro-inositol
Myo-Inositol 2g twice a day = total 4g (2000mg) per day.
Taken from three months prior to conception. Helps restore fertility in woman with PCOS. Improves egg quality. https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/supplements-and-miscarriage/d-chiro-inositol
Melatonin: 3mg per day taken at night.
Take for 1-3 months prior to conception. Improves egg quality by reducing the level of an oxidizing agent called 8-OHdG. Don't take long term.
L'Arginine: 500mg - 2000mg per day (i.e. 0.5g - 2g).
Take for 1-3 months prior to conception. Improves egg quality and uterine blood flow.
DHEA: 25mg three times per day = total 75mg.
Start on lower doses and build up. Start taking at least 3 months prior to conception (I found 6 months better). Stop at pregnancy (or EC in IVF). Improves egg quality (http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/dhea.html?creative={premature_ovaries_us}&gclid=CJ3w8InFoLwCFQxd3godm1gAgg). Usually for older ladies (40yrs+) with diminished ovarian reserves. Not for woman with PCOS. There appear to be many positive personal stories (including my own) with this and studies to show greatly improved chances of success.
Iron: 14mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Take with Vitamin C. Tannin inhibits the absorption, so don't take with drinks that contain tannin e.g. green tea. A deficiency can reduce fertility by 50%
Folic acid (= Vitamin B9): 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) twice a day = total 800ug.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Tannin inhibits the absorption, so don't take with drinks that contain tannin e.g. green tea. Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. Taken prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of a serious neural tube defect in the baby by up to 70%. May increase pregnancy rates and prevent miscarriages. Can take up to 4000 micrograms per day prescribed if family history of neural defects
Fish oil (Omega Oil/essential fatty acids): 1g - 5g per day (i.e. about 200mg - 1000mg).
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Can take some flax seed and some fish oil tablets. Anti-inflammatory. Improves blood flow to uterus. Reduction of NK cell activity (take 5g dosage for this). Use body only fish oil as liver may contain mercury (i.e. not cod liver oil). Also Cod liver oil has too much vitamin A in it, so avoid. Be careful not to take too much if on blood thinners.
Evening Primrose Oil: 1000mg per day for first 14 days of cycle. Stop taking at ovulation up until next menstruation.
Stop at pregnancy. Increases quality and quantity of cervical mucus. Anti-inflammatory reduces narrowing of blood vessels & promotes blood flow. Can bring on uterine contractions and thus the start of your menstrual cycle
Co Q10/ Co Enzyme Q10: 200mg - 600mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy - but scale down to maximum 200mg dose on falling pregnant. (Costco has best price). Improving egg quality because of its powerful effect on regenerating the mitochondria - the tiny energy factories of each cell - known to be a factor in age-related infertility. Reduces the risk of pre eclampsia.
Aspirin: 75mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy but stop at least 24 hours before giving birth (need the clotting factor). Anti-inflammatory. Stops minute blood clots forming in the uterus (which could starve embryo of oxygen).
Manganese - take RDA, as part of a multivitamin
Deficiency may lead to defective ovulation. Take with Vitamin C (but note - it competes with iron for absorption)
Magnesium- take RDA, as part of a multivitamin
Needed to help the pituitary and ovaries produce the high levels of oestrogen and progesterone needed to secure pregnancy until placenta takes over.
Section 2: Other supplements which could be taken or that are for specific fertility problems:
So, I didn't take these (except for chasteberry) but I have added them as they may help with specific fertility problems and/or they have worked for other people
Wheatgrass - Whatever the dosage is on the tin
Full of antioxidants. Mostly anecdotal evidence as to the effect on fertility.
N-Acetyl Cysteine: 1.2g per day.
For woman with PCOS
D-Chiro-Inositol: 600mg
Take from 2 months prior to conception. For woman with PCOS - restores ovulation and helps with other aspects of the syndrome
Alpha-Lipolic Acid: 600mg twice a day = 1200mg total
For woman with PCOS
Bee Propolis: 500mg
Extremely anti-inflammatory therefore excellent for endometriosis sufferers
Royal Jelly: 500mg three times a day = 1500mg
Improves egg quality although mostly anecdotal evidence
Cough medicine: Two teaspoons (200mg) three times per day, taken orally. Five days before and day of ovulation (6 days total)Guaifenesin must be the only active ingredient e.g. Robitussin, Mucinex brand. Loosens the cervical mucus helping sperm on their journey. Counteracts negative Clomid effects outlined here. Clomid associated with less cervical fluid, thinner uterine lining and development of hostile mucus. If taking Clomid, wait until day after last Clomid pill.
Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste berry): 35mg Other suggest 400mg - 800mg twice daily = 800mg-1600mg total
Capsule or liquid form (tincture). Take for first 14 days of cycle in morning and evening. Normalises your menstruation cycle. Restarts periods which have stopped. Lengthens luteal phase defects. Lowers high prolactin levels. Should not affect your cycle, but some ladies with regular cycles have reported that it may mess up the cycle (it didn't however with me, and my cycle is regular). Don't take with Clomid - or any drug like Clomid - they counter act each other. Could take several months to work.
Cordyceps - more info still to be added, but apparently helps those with implantation and immunological issues. Serum clinic advises some of its patients to use a specific regime detailed by a John Bowen (who you buy from via his online website). Apparently the quality of the stuff he supplies is worth the very expensive price tag.
Reishi (mushrooms) - more info to be added, but apparently helps those with implantation and immunological issues. Serum clinic advises some of its patients to use a specific regime detailed by a John Bowen (who you buy from via his online website). Apparently the quality of the stuff he supplies is worth the very expensive price tag.
Human growth hormone: 4mg per day
From day 21 of previous cycle to day of pregnancy test. May help poor responders improve. Varying success has been reported. Given as part of IVF protocol - so prescribed and monitored is advised
Section 3: For Men, these are the most important ones, on a daily basis, take:
Vary dosages according to severity of semen issues. For higher doses, take half morning and half evening. Remember it takes 3 months to make semen. Someone recently sent me this article, which I have not tied back to my research, but as it is very interesting, I have included it here https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/how-to-boost-fertility/how-to-increase-male-fertility
Zinc: 15mg -50mg
Very important, Higher sperm count. If you take higher levels of zinc for more than a few weeks, add 1-3mg copper to prevent copper deficiency
Vitamin C: 200mg - 1000mg
Rather take the lower dosages and do short boosters of higher doses periodically. Less clumping of sperm. Higher quantity (up to 140%) and better quality sperm. High doses of Vitamin C may negatively affect sperm quality if taken for long periods. Do not take high doses with high doses of Vit E - one or the other in high doses, as otherwise induces sperm DNA damage.
Vitamin E: 400 IUIs -800 IUIs.
Improves semen quality and motility by up to 2.5 times. Do not take high doses with high doses of Vitamin C - one or the other in high doses (else may induce sperm DNA damage).
Vitamin D: Between 600 IUI - 1000 IUI
Vitamin D3 is best form of the vitamin. Ensure that you also have taken Vitamin A and K (or have sufficient of these) to balance the Vitamin D. Improves sperm mobility and morphology. Not more than 4000 IUIs per day should be taken. Problems arise when you have too much vitamin D and too little vitamins A and K
Vitamin B Complex: 1 per day - around the RDA for each component. Very important.
Vitamin B12: 10-1000mcg
Helps balance testosterone & LH/FSH secretions. Higher quantity (one study up from 20 to 100 million/ml on 1000mcg dose). Very important.
L'Arginine: 200mg - 1000mg per day
A natural Viagra - improves erectile function, Increases quantity of sperm (by up to 250%). Improves sperm motility & health. Avoid if you have herpes as can promote an outbreak
Co Q10/ Co Enzyme Q10: 30mg-300mg
Only take if you have poor sperm motility. Rather stick to lower doses and occasionally do booster amounts. Improves sperm motility, Ubiquinol is up to six times as effective as ubiquinone as it is more easily absorbed. Doses here are for ubiquinone version. High doses for longer periods may lead to a significant reduction in number of sperm.
The ubiquinol version may be better to take, as protects against "perioxidation of the membrane lipids" in the semen
Pyconogenol: 25mg-200mg
Improves sperm morphology by up to 40%
Selenium: 70mcg-200mcg
The upper limit here was used in various tests, however, I would advise rather stick to lower levels, as your normal diet should give you sufficient selenium.
Optimum male fertility concentrations of Selenium in semen are between 50 ug/ml - 70 ug/ml. Can double sperm count. Improves quality of sperm. Toxic in high doses so stick to max 200mcg. High doses taken over longer periods may reduce sperm motility through a modification of thyroid hormone metabolism
L-Carnitine: 1g - 3g per day and L-Acetyl Carnitine 500mg x2 per day (total 1000mg)
"Significant increase in total motility, live sperm count, membrane integrity and linearity of spermatic movement after 3 to 6 months of use" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15801863. Used together, the study used 1g of L-Carnitine and L-Acetyl Carnitine 500mg x2 per day.
Vitamin A (take as part of a multivitamin) - Take RDA
Improves sperm production
Omega Oil/essential fatty acids: 1g - 7g per day (i.e. approximately 200mg - 1200mg )
Take a mix of flax seed oil and fish oil. Improves sperm count. Use body only fish oil as liver may contain mercury (i.e. not cod liver oil). Also Cod liver oil has too much vitamin A in it. Be careful not to take too much if on blood thinners.
Good luck everybody!!!
Where to get things from
PS - so I said I would add some info on where I found things. Oct 2012 - I just ordered the following from ebay myo-inositol - 250g powder form for £12 from the men's sport section (saltwatersports was the seller); L'arginine 750mg tabs - 120 tablets £6.5(seller sportsupuk); a multivitamin which covers most of the standard stuff on the list above online from Fortis health ltd called Vital Multi (£11 for the large bottle); Melatonin brand name schiff from (bbtrading123 was the UK seller) for $25 dollars. I bought DHEA & Selenium from Biovea online. CoQ10 from Costco in store 150mg - 90 tablets for about £11.
This post contains an unconfirmed link/information and readers are reminded that FertilityFriends.co.uk or its owners are not responsible for the content of external internet sites
As both eggs and sperm take around 3 months to make, it is advisable to start taking most of these 3 months prior to conceiving/treatment.
General info for both:
Drink at least 6 glasses of water a day (very very important). No caffeine -even decaf coffee/tea contains some caffeine - rather stick to herbal teas (and make sure these are true herbal teas and not black tea flavoured). No alcohol. No smoking. Try and eat organic food or at least non genetically modified food. Avoid aspartame. Get some exercise to improve blood flow and wellbeing. Avoid strong chemicals and try and use natural products for skin (e.g. coconut oil for moisturiser) and general household (e.g. white vinegar for cleaning). If using a lubricant - use egg white rather than store bought ones as the latter may damage sperm. Lots of ladies also do accupuncture.
For those also wanting to follow a high protein diet - here is an awesome list put together by another FF member (suzymc) re the nutritional value of many foods. Any of the produce with high protein she has listed the protein content per weight of: http://www.fertilityfriendlyrecipes.co.uk/#!nutritional-information/cfvg
Section 1: For Women, these are the most important ones, on a daily basis, take:
I took the supplements in this section (Section 1). The Section 2 is for additional information and specific conditions. I took a general multivitamin from Costco (apparently one of the best on the market after tests of several leading brands) which covered many of the general vitamins and minerals on the list in section 1. Then I also mixed and matched various other ones which I just bought off the shelf at general grocery stores like asda, boots etc. like extra vit C, E, zinc etc. I was not extra strict with which ones I took every day. I did not take the maximum dosage of any of the general vitamins - I just aimed for somewhere in the middle and some days took more and some days took less. For the other supplements, I also did not take the maximum dosage every day - I varied them slightly EXCEPT for the DHEA, myo inositol and melatonin which I took the full dosage always.
Zinc 15 mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Critical to the rapid development of the egg within the follicle especially with IVF where many eggs are developing at the same time. Helps prevent miscarriages.
Vitamin C: 500mg - 750mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Corrects luteal-phase-defect as it boosts progesterone and oestrogen levels. Improves pregnancy rates and helps prevents miscarriages. Too much Vitamin C can dry up cervical mucous
Vitamin E: 200 IUIs.
Take prior to conception. Improves egg quality
Vitamin D : Between 1500 IUIs - 2000 IUIs .
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Ideal level for improved fertility is between 50 - 80 ng/ml of Vitamin D in your blood. Vitamin D3 is best form of the vitamin. Ensure that you also have taken Vitamin A and K to balance the Vitamin D. Improves fertility. Not more than 4000 IUIs per day. Very high levels (240000 IUIs) shown to reduce fertility. Problems arise when you have too much vitamin D and too little vitamins A and K
Vitamin B6: 10mg per day.
Take with other B vitamins to help with the absorption - especially B12. Can increase to 50mg when short term booster is needed. Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Zinc helps absorption. Lengthens luteal phase and helps produce progesterone. The set tolerable upper limit is 100mgs per day. Higher doses can cause nerve ending damage. B6 can disguise a B12 deficiency/anaemia, so increase your B12 if taking higher doses of B6. Higher levels of B12 (than the RDA) are safe to take. Do not take more than 100mgs unless prescribed by a doctor. Higher doses should only be taken for a short term period
Vitamin B complex - take a multivitamin with around the RDA of each in it.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Balances out hormones and encourages pregnancy. Listed here are the RDAs for females:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 1.1mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 1.1mg
Vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide) 14mg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) 5mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, or pyridoxine hydrochloride) 1.3mg
Vitamin B7 (biotin) 30mcg
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) 400mcg
Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements) 2.4mcg
Vitamin A: 700IUIs - 900IUIs.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Promotes better cervical fluid. Assists the follicles in maturing properly. Contains important antioxidants. Important for DNA replication. Do not exceed this dose (so if included in a multivitamin, do not take extra). Avoid the synthetic version of vitamin A - high levels (10,000 IUs + a day) have been shown to increase the chances of birth defects
Selenium: 100ug twice a day = total 200ug.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Promotes implantation, prevents miscarriage. Don't exceed dose as can be toxic
Myo-Inositol: 2g twice a day = total 4g (2000mg) per day.
Taken from 3 months prior to conception. Improves egg quality. Helps restore fertility in woman with PCOS. https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/supplements-and-miscarriage/d-chiro-inositol
Myo-Inositol 2g twice a day = total 4g (2000mg) per day.
Taken from three months prior to conception. Helps restore fertility in woman with PCOS. Improves egg quality. https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/supplements-and-miscarriage/d-chiro-inositol
Melatonin: 3mg per day taken at night.
Take for 1-3 months prior to conception. Improves egg quality by reducing the level of an oxidizing agent called 8-OHdG. Don't take long term.
L'Arginine: 500mg - 2000mg per day (i.e. 0.5g - 2g).
Take for 1-3 months prior to conception. Improves egg quality and uterine blood flow.
DHEA: 25mg three times per day = total 75mg.
Start on lower doses and build up. Start taking at least 3 months prior to conception (I found 6 months better). Stop at pregnancy (or EC in IVF). Improves egg quality (http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/dhea.html?creative={premature_ovaries_us}&gclid=CJ3w8InFoLwCFQxd3godm1gAgg). Usually for older ladies (40yrs+) with diminished ovarian reserves. Not for woman with PCOS. There appear to be many positive personal stories (including my own) with this and studies to show greatly improved chances of success.
Iron: 14mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Take with Vitamin C. Tannin inhibits the absorption, so don't take with drinks that contain tannin e.g. green tea. A deficiency can reduce fertility by 50%
Folic acid (= Vitamin B9): 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) twice a day = total 800ug.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Tannin inhibits the absorption, so don't take with drinks that contain tannin e.g. green tea. Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. Taken prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of a serious neural tube defect in the baby by up to 70%. May increase pregnancy rates and prevent miscarriages. Can take up to 4000 micrograms per day prescribed if family history of neural defects
Fish oil (Omega Oil/essential fatty acids): 1g - 5g per day (i.e. about 200mg - 1000mg).
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. Can take some flax seed and some fish oil tablets. Anti-inflammatory. Improves blood flow to uterus. Reduction of NK cell activity (take 5g dosage for this). Use body only fish oil as liver may contain mercury (i.e. not cod liver oil). Also Cod liver oil has too much vitamin A in it, so avoid. Be careful not to take too much if on blood thinners.
Evening Primrose Oil: 1000mg per day for first 14 days of cycle. Stop taking at ovulation up until next menstruation.
Stop at pregnancy. Increases quality and quantity of cervical mucus. Anti-inflammatory reduces narrowing of blood vessels & promotes blood flow. Can bring on uterine contractions and thus the start of your menstrual cycle
Co Q10/ Co Enzyme Q10: 200mg - 600mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy - but scale down to maximum 200mg dose on falling pregnant. (Costco has best price). Improving egg quality because of its powerful effect on regenerating the mitochondria - the tiny energy factories of each cell - known to be a factor in age-related infertility. Reduces the risk of pre eclampsia.
Aspirin: 75mg.
Take prior to conception and throughout pregnancy but stop at least 24 hours before giving birth (need the clotting factor). Anti-inflammatory. Stops minute blood clots forming in the uterus (which could starve embryo of oxygen).
Manganese - take RDA, as part of a multivitamin
Deficiency may lead to defective ovulation. Take with Vitamin C (but note - it competes with iron for absorption)
Magnesium- take RDA, as part of a multivitamin
Needed to help the pituitary and ovaries produce the high levels of oestrogen and progesterone needed to secure pregnancy until placenta takes over.
Section 2: Other supplements which could be taken or that are for specific fertility problems:
So, I didn't take these (except for chasteberry) but I have added them as they may help with specific fertility problems and/or they have worked for other people
Wheatgrass - Whatever the dosage is on the tin
Full of antioxidants. Mostly anecdotal evidence as to the effect on fertility.
N-Acetyl Cysteine: 1.2g per day.
For woman with PCOS
D-Chiro-Inositol: 600mg
Take from 2 months prior to conception. For woman with PCOS - restores ovulation and helps with other aspects of the syndrome
Alpha-Lipolic Acid: 600mg twice a day = 1200mg total
For woman with PCOS
Bee Propolis: 500mg
Extremely anti-inflammatory therefore excellent for endometriosis sufferers
Royal Jelly: 500mg three times a day = 1500mg
Improves egg quality although mostly anecdotal evidence
Cough medicine: Two teaspoons (200mg) three times per day, taken orally. Five days before and day of ovulation (6 days total)Guaifenesin must be the only active ingredient e.g. Robitussin, Mucinex brand. Loosens the cervical mucus helping sperm on their journey. Counteracts negative Clomid effects outlined here. Clomid associated with less cervical fluid, thinner uterine lining and development of hostile mucus. If taking Clomid, wait until day after last Clomid pill.
Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste berry): 35mg Other suggest 400mg - 800mg twice daily = 800mg-1600mg total
Capsule or liquid form (tincture). Take for first 14 days of cycle in morning and evening. Normalises your menstruation cycle. Restarts periods which have stopped. Lengthens luteal phase defects. Lowers high prolactin levels. Should not affect your cycle, but some ladies with regular cycles have reported that it may mess up the cycle (it didn't however with me, and my cycle is regular). Don't take with Clomid - or any drug like Clomid - they counter act each other. Could take several months to work.
Cordyceps - more info still to be added, but apparently helps those with implantation and immunological issues. Serum clinic advises some of its patients to use a specific regime detailed by a John Bowen (who you buy from via his online website). Apparently the quality of the stuff he supplies is worth the very expensive price tag.
Reishi (mushrooms) - more info to be added, but apparently helps those with implantation and immunological issues. Serum clinic advises some of its patients to use a specific regime detailed by a John Bowen (who you buy from via his online website). Apparently the quality of the stuff he supplies is worth the very expensive price tag.
Human growth hormone: 4mg per day
From day 21 of previous cycle to day of pregnancy test. May help poor responders improve. Varying success has been reported. Given as part of IVF protocol - so prescribed and monitored is advised
Section 3: For Men, these are the most important ones, on a daily basis, take:
Vary dosages according to severity of semen issues. For higher doses, take half morning and half evening. Remember it takes 3 months to make semen. Someone recently sent me this article, which I have not tied back to my research, but as it is very interesting, I have included it here https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/how-to-boost-fertility/how-to-increase-male-fertility
Zinc: 15mg -50mg
Very important, Higher sperm count. If you take higher levels of zinc for more than a few weeks, add 1-3mg copper to prevent copper deficiency
Vitamin C: 200mg - 1000mg
Rather take the lower dosages and do short boosters of higher doses periodically. Less clumping of sperm. Higher quantity (up to 140%) and better quality sperm. High doses of Vitamin C may negatively affect sperm quality if taken for long periods. Do not take high doses with high doses of Vit E - one or the other in high doses, as otherwise induces sperm DNA damage.
Vitamin E: 400 IUIs -800 IUIs.
Improves semen quality and motility by up to 2.5 times. Do not take high doses with high doses of Vitamin C - one or the other in high doses (else may induce sperm DNA damage).
Vitamin D: Between 600 IUI - 1000 IUI
Vitamin D3 is best form of the vitamin. Ensure that you also have taken Vitamin A and K (or have sufficient of these) to balance the Vitamin D. Improves sperm mobility and morphology. Not more than 4000 IUIs per day should be taken. Problems arise when you have too much vitamin D and too little vitamins A and K
Vitamin B Complex: 1 per day - around the RDA for each component. Very important.
Vitamin B12: 10-1000mcg
Helps balance testosterone & LH/FSH secretions. Higher quantity (one study up from 20 to 100 million/ml on 1000mcg dose). Very important.
L'Arginine: 200mg - 1000mg per day
A natural Viagra - improves erectile function, Increases quantity of sperm (by up to 250%). Improves sperm motility & health. Avoid if you have herpes as can promote an outbreak
Co Q10/ Co Enzyme Q10: 30mg-300mg
Only take if you have poor sperm motility. Rather stick to lower doses and occasionally do booster amounts. Improves sperm motility, Ubiquinol is up to six times as effective as ubiquinone as it is more easily absorbed. Doses here are for ubiquinone version. High doses for longer periods may lead to a significant reduction in number of sperm.
The ubiquinol version may be better to take, as protects against "perioxidation of the membrane lipids" in the semen
Pyconogenol: 25mg-200mg
Improves sperm morphology by up to 40%
Selenium: 70mcg-200mcg
The upper limit here was used in various tests, however, I would advise rather stick to lower levels, as your normal diet should give you sufficient selenium.
Optimum male fertility concentrations of Selenium in semen are between 50 ug/ml - 70 ug/ml. Can double sperm count. Improves quality of sperm. Toxic in high doses so stick to max 200mcg. High doses taken over longer periods may reduce sperm motility through a modification of thyroid hormone metabolism
L-Carnitine: 1g - 3g per day and L-Acetyl Carnitine 500mg x2 per day (total 1000mg)
"Significant increase in total motility, live sperm count, membrane integrity and linearity of spermatic movement after 3 to 6 months of use" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15801863. Used together, the study used 1g of L-Carnitine and L-Acetyl Carnitine 500mg x2 per day.
Vitamin A (take as part of a multivitamin) - Take RDA
Improves sperm production
Omega Oil/essential fatty acids: 1g - 7g per day (i.e. approximately 200mg - 1200mg )
Take a mix of flax seed oil and fish oil. Improves sperm count. Use body only fish oil as liver may contain mercury (i.e. not cod liver oil). Also Cod liver oil has too much vitamin A in it. Be careful not to take too much if on blood thinners.
Good luck everybody!!!
Where to get things from
PS - so I said I would add some info on where I found things. Oct 2012 - I just ordered the following from ebay myo-inositol - 250g powder form for £12 from the men's sport section (saltwatersports was the seller); L'arginine 750mg tabs - 120 tablets £6.5(seller sportsupuk); a multivitamin which covers most of the standard stuff on the list above online from Fortis health ltd called Vital Multi (£11 for the large bottle); Melatonin brand name schiff from (bbtrading123 was the UK seller) for $25 dollars. I bought DHEA & Selenium from Biovea online. CoQ10 from Costco in store 150mg - 90 tablets for about £11.
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to you all
? (my view about egg quality rather than medical at this point but 40 so they aren't going to be A1!), does anyone know of a good but safe protein supplement to easily take? 
