More and more couples today face infertility, and one of the main causes is increased oxidative stress in the body. Studies have shown that oxidative stress outside normal limits can negatively affect fertility in both sexes. In women, the effects of oxidative stress are many-sided and can affect, among other things, the menstrual cycle and therefore the chances of conception, as well as egg quality, damaging DNA so that eggs do not develop normally. In men, studies have shown that oxidative stress in sperm affects the majority of infertile men, with rates ranging from 30% to 80%.
But what is oxidative stress and what causes it?
The answer lies in free radicals, which are necessary for our survival.
Free radicals are chemical compounds produced in the human body in response to certain environmental conditions or disease states. The chain reaction of free radicals is necessary for the body to convert oxygen and food into chemical energy, and our immune system would not work without them. In adequate amounts, they protect us against pathogens. However, when these compounds reach a 'safety limit' in the body, they start to cause problems by altering the body's DNA, lipids and proteins. This speeds up ageing and, in turn, leads to other diseases. So when there are too many free radicals in the body and, at the same time, the body's ability to fight them effectively decreases, the condition known as oxidative stress develops.
Modern life, dominated by stress, an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise, encourages oxidative stress. The good news is that by changing our habits and adopting a healthy lifestyle we can reverse this process. As for our food choices, studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet once again appears to be the big winner in tackling this disorder too.
To tackle oxidative stress, then, a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins such as C and E, as well as more coenzyme Q10, is recommended. To get these, we eat more seasonal fruit and vegetables, include nuts in our diet and make sure we eat oily fish and pulses several times a week.
As a health professional, the dietitian can offer a specific measurement of the body's oxidative stress and identify any deficiencies in trace elements and essential vitamins, drawing up a meal plan rich in antioxidants and, where considered necessary, recommending suitable vitamin supplements. The nutritional approach to infertility therefore proves to be not only feasible but also effective, and the role of the professional dietitian-nutritionist – always in collaboration with the treating doctor – appears to be decisive.
Written by
Alexiadou Aggeliki
Dietitian – Nutritionist (ATEITH), member of the Hellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists, with 19 years of experience and offices in Thessaloniki and Drama.
