Omega-3 and male and female fertility

Fertility, male and female, also comes through the plate. To make the diet an ally of those battling infertility, it is essential to rebalance the intake of pro- and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Prominent among the latter are Omega 3 fats, which have been associated with fertility benefits for women and men by numerous scientific studies.

In Italy,infertility is a problem for about 15 percent of couples. The figure comes from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), which reminds us of an important aspect: the underlying causes of conception difficulties can be both female and male.

Also coming into play are environmental and lifestyle factors; ISS brings up as an example exposure to so-called endocrine disruptors, chemicals that can adversely affect the reproductive system.

On the other hand, lifestyle can also be a strong ally of female and male fertility; in particular, adequate intake of certain specific nutrients can have positive effects even in complex cases such as those in which Medically Assisted Procreation (MFA) must be used.

Prominent among these nutrients are Omega 3, valuable polyunsaturated fats that have been associated with improving the quality of both the egg cell and the spermatozoon. But what makes Omega 3 allies of fertility are, first and foremost, their anti-inflammatory properties.

Fertility and inflammation

In fact, although it is a fundamental physiological mechanism for defending against infection,inflammation can become a real double-edged sword capable of blowing the dreams of couples seeking pregnancy to smithereens.

In particular, inflammation that is not self-regulating and becomes chronic can be harmful and interfere with reproductive processes by altering substances and mediators that regulate ovulation, fertilization, embryo formation, and implantation in the uterus.

Its negative effects are well evident in the presence of specific diseases associated with fertility problems. For example, in the case of endometriosis reducing chronic inflammation involving the entire pelvis can increase pregnancy rates.

Polycystic ovary syndrome-or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO), another condition potentially causing infertility-also generates inflammation, and an imbalance between the molecules that control inflammation also appears to be behind the abortions associated with it.

Finally, obesity also generates a chronic inflammatory environment that, together with hormones produced by adipose tissue, negatively interferes with reproduction.

A clear example of the effectiveness of an approach based on reducing inflammation is provided by the use of a very common anti-inflammatory: aspirin. Taken in low doses, acetylsalicylic acid increases the frequency of pregnancies achieved by PMA from 28% to 45% and doubles the frequency of embryo implantation in the uterus.

The benefits of Omega 3 for female fertility

Also from PMA we get evidence of the association between circulating Omega 3s and the likelihood of pregnancy, proper embryo development, and the number of live births; and it also appears that taking Omega 3 supplements can help women who have undergone PMA carry their pregnancies to term.

Just like aspirin, these fats also reduce the production of molecules involved in inflammation, thromboxanes. This effect appears to be helpful in promoting implantation in the wall of the uterus.

In addition, Omega 3s increase the production of anti-inflammatory prostacyclins. Their availability could therefore improve the ratio of prostacyclins to thromboxanes and, consequently, blood flow to the uterus and implantation.

The results obtained by combining the intake of low doses of aspirin and high doses of Omega 3 seem to confirm the possibility of increasing precisely the blood flow to the uterus in this way.

The anti-inflammatory properties of these fats could also be particularly useful in cases of PCO. The imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules observed in abortion cases associated with this condition seems to depend precisely on Omega 3, and women with PCO who take Omega 3 see their levels of inflammation lowered.

In addition, Omega 3 intake also seems to be able to help control the excessive production of male hormones that characterizes PCO.

Finally, Omega 3 could help improve egg cell quality.

The benefits of Omega 3 for male fertility

But, as mentioned, infertility can also have its roots in male issues. Clues to the possible benefits of Omega 3 are not lacking in these cases either.

According to what has been published in the scientific literature, the mechanisms involved could include:

• The reduction of sperm DNA damage;
• The improvement of sperm motility and concentration;
• The enhancement of testosterone secretion;
• The promotion of regular morphology;
• The creation of a more antioxidant seminal environment;
• The reduction of apoptotic damage in sperm.

Omega 3s are key constituents of cell membranes, the fluidity of which they regulate-a very important characteristic for spermatozoa.

In addition, humans are also exposed to the harmful effects ofchronic inflammation. Sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, being overweight, and metabolic syndrome are all indicators of a proinflammatory state that can be counteracted by Omega 3.

Changing lifestyle for the better, including taking care of Omega 3 intake, has a direct impact on the quality of spermatozoa, which are produced in a continuous process. New habits, followed for about 3 months, can significantly improve a sperm count, regardless of paternal age.

Nutrition allied to fertility

In the case of both men and women, these new habits should also include a reshaping of diet in an anti-inflammatory direction.

Ingredients such asextra virgin olive oil contain active ingredients that can regulate the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory genes. And some nutrients control inflammation at other levels as well; in this case, Omega 3:

• affect theactivity of the immune system;
• promote the production of molecules with less inflammatory potential;
• promote the production of molecules that quench the inflammatory processes already in place (protectins, maresins and resolvins).

Omega 3s endowed with anti-inflammatory properties (eicosapentaenoic acid - EPA - and docosahexaenoic acid - DHA) are found preformed in fatty fish (such as salmon, anchovies and sardines). Introducing this food into one's diet helps, therefore, to shift the ratio of anti-inflammatory fats to inflammatory fats-nowadays, unfortunately, very unbalanced in favor of the latter-to values that promote a tendentially anti-inflammatory state.

Unfortunately, however, it is not always possible to consume the amounts needed to meet Omega 3 requirements. A first obstacle may be an allergy to fish; then sometimes it is difficult to overcome the problem of food selectivity. Finally, the quality of the fish brought to the table should be considered, even more so in cases where sensitive issues such as fertility problems are being addressed.

In these cases, dietary supplements based on fish oil achieve the Omega 3 intake that helps fight inflammation by shifting the ratio of proinflammatory to anti-inflammatory molecules toward the latter and promote the benefits observed in scientific studies.

Rebalancing the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules in the body is even more important in the presence of issues that have been associated with inflammation (such as obesity) or Omega 3 deficiency (such as PCO).

In these cases, too, the basis of the approach must be as varied, healthy and balanced a diet as possible, rich in anti-inflammatory fats such as those in extra virgin olive oil and oily fish. Where this diet fails to meet the necessary Omega 3 intakes, the support of dietary supplements becomes essential.

Omega 3 sources: fish alternatives

In addition to the aforementioned oily fish, other sources of Omega 3 include walnuts and flaxseeds. However, a difficult-to-use form of Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA) is present in these plant-based foods.

ALA is not one of the Omega 3s that are active against inflammation (which, as mentioned, are EPA and DHA) but their precursor; the human body is equipped with the enzymes to convert it to EPA and DHA, but it knows how to do so very inefficiently.

Women are able to do this better than men, probably because of a higher requirement for Omega 3 (for example, during pregnancy and lactation), but meeting that requirement by taking ALA sources still remains difficult.

Therefore, the inclusion of fatty fish in the weekly diet and Omega 3 supplementation from fish oil remain the best strategy for meeting one's Omega 3 requirements.

If these strategies are not feasible (due to the aforementioned allergies or ethical choices-such as the typical vegan lifestyle), it is possible to rely on supplements based on other marine-derived oils: krill oil and microalgae oil.

L'krill oil can be a solution if you have a fish allergy. Extracted from the crustacean Euphausia superba (the Antarctic krill), it is rich in EPA and DHA in a highly absorbable form (the phospholipids) and associated with astaxanthin, a carotenoid with 10 times the antioxidant power of other carotenoids.

Microalgae oil is a non-animal alternative because it is made from microorganisms (usually the microalgae Schizochytrium). Where it is also certified in its production processes, it is suitable for vegan diets, but not only that: it is also a viable option for omnivores and omnivorous people.

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