Antioxidants Do Not Increase Fertility

AUCKLAND, New ZealandNo quality evidence indicates antioxidants help increase a woman's chances of having a baby, and there is limited information on the potential harm of oral antioxidants, a new study suggests (The Chochrane Library. 2013. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007807.pub2).

Close to 25 percent of couples have difficulties conceiving, according to the research. Women undergoing fertility treatment often take dietary supplements, including antioxidants, but many antioxidant supplements taken to improve fertility are unregulated. Plus, there is limited evidence on their safety and effects.

Researchers analyzed data from 28 trials involving a 3,548 women attending fertility clinics. Antioxidants did not increase the womens chances of conceiving, and the results showed no significant increase in women becoming pregnant compared to those taking placebos or undergoing standard treatment.

There is no evidence in this review that suggests taking an antioxidant is beneficial for women who are trying to conceive," said Marian Showell, lead researcher who works in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand.

Only 14 of the trials reported adverse effects, such as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Women taking antioxidants experienced no more adverse effects compared to those who received placebos or standard treatment.

Overall, the researchers considered the quality of the trials to be low or very low, and the number of different antioxidants tested made it difficult to make comparisons.

For couples trying to conceive, vitamin C taken orally by men may help increase chances, according to previous research.