Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy is a time for substantial changes in a woman’s body in many ways, including hormonal, mental and physical. This growth and development process needs fuel and constant support, and the overall nutritional status of the mother is central to the outcome of the pregnancy and health of the baby.

Birth defects, birthing complications [...]

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Micronutrients before pregnancy boost baby’s immune system

Women who supplement with micronutrients before pregnancy may be boosting the immune health of their baby from birth to adult life, a new study suggests.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals, such as the B vitamins and the minerals zinc and selenium, that are required by the body in very small quantities in order to [...]

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Antioxidant supplements may be helpful for male sub-fertility

A recently published review paper (1) which assessed a number of published trials has found that antioxidant supplements may be of benefit to couples who have had difficulties conceiving naturally.  The review paper has found that the partners of men who take antioxidant supplements are more likely to become pregnant.

Male sub-fertility affects around [...]

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L-carnitine may boost sperm quality and fertility

Male infertility has be linked to a number of different factors.  One issue is a condition known as asthenozoospermia.  This is when sperm lacks motility (motion).

Recently (1) a study in China looked at the effect of the nutritional supplement L-carnitine on men with asthenozoospermia.   A total of 135 men with asthenozoospermia were involved in [...]

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Drinking cola could be bad news for reproductive health in men

A recently study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (1) has found that men who drink large amounts of cola daily (around one litre) could be putting their reproductive health at risk.  Men drinking large volumes of cola were found to have sperm counts that were almost 30% lower than in men who [...]

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Can poor diet lead to lowered fertility in men?

Diet and its impact on male fertility has long been discussed and debated among scientific, medical and health professionals.  I first started to look at the link between what we eat and fertility, in men and women, whilst studying for my MSc.  The research has been steadily growing over the years and it seems [...]

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