VItamin E. Essential to Improve Fertility

Vitamin E Essential to Improve

Fertility,

Without vitamin E the body cannot reproduce. A
study performed in 1922 showed that rats whose
diet was devoid of vitamin E became infertile.
Once they were given wheat germ oil (rich in
vitamin E) as part of their diet, the rat’s fertility
was restored. Today, research shows vitamin E is
essential in protecting and improving cellular
health. Each and every part of the body is made
up of trillions of cells, including the reproductive
organs, the egg and the sperm.
Alpha-tocopherol is the chemical name for the
most active form of vitamin E. The term
tocopherol comes from the Greek words tokos ,
which means “offspring,” and phero , which means
“to bear”. Tocopherol literally means “to bear
children”. Clearly vitamin E is essential to healthy
fertility.

Primary Benefits of Vitamin E
Vitamin E functions primarily as an antioxidant,
protecting cell membranes from oxidative
damage. It has been shown especially effective
for protecting nerve cells, red blood cells, and
immune system function; aiding in the prevention
of and healing of neurological disorders, chronic
viral illness and anemia. Several studies have
been performed in relation to fertility health,
revealing its importance for reproductive function
and health.
Vitamin E is incorporated into the lipid (fatty) part
of the cell membrane, where it stabilizes and
protects the cell membrane from toxic compounds
including lead, mercury and other heavy metals;
toxic compounds such as benzene, carbon
tetrachloride, cleaning solvents (all known
endocrine disruptors); medications; radiation; and
free-radicals. This is especially important for
hormonal balance, as well as cellular health. Toxic
compounds have been shown to contribute to
infertility.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare, but there are some
conditions in which low levels are common:
Celiac disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Premature infants
Sickle cell anemia and similar red blood cell
disorders.

Fibrocystic breast disease

Increased Thickness For Thin Uterine Lining
A study published by Fertility and Sterility in April,
2010, showed that vitamin E supplementation
may aid in increasing the thickness of the
endometrium in women with thin uterine lining
<8mm. Researchers wanted to see if these
supplement could increase uterine radial artery
(uRA) blood flow. Results showed vit. E given at
600mg a day increased uRA in 72% of patients
and endometrial thickness (EM) in 52% of
patients.
Improved Sperm Health and Motility, Reduction in
Miscarriage.

Studies have shown that vitamin E increases
sperm health and motility. In one study it was
shown that sperm motility, percent of live sperm,
and percent of normal spermatozoa all increased
with the supplementation of vitamin E and
selenium.
As mentioned previously, a study performed on
rats whose diet was devoid of vitamin E, showed
those rats to become infertile. This study showed
male rat’s sperm became immobile and female
rats had a higher rate of miscarriages than rats
who were not vitamin E deficient. The rats were
then given wheat germ oil which is high in vitamin
E and their fertility was completely restored.

Improved Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Activity

for PCOS and Diabetes

Oxidative stress is a major concern for women
who are trying to conceive and have either insulin
resistant PCOS or diabetes. Vitamin E
supplementation has been shown to improve
insulin action. One study showed that non-insulin
taking, otherwise healthy diabetics who took
1,310 IU of vitamin E for 4 months had improved
glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The
researchers conclusion was that the vitamin E
supplementation reduces oxidative stress,
improving cell membrane physical characteristics
and related activities in the transport of glucose.
Speak with your doctor prior to using vitamin E at
higher levels as part of a diabetes management
plan.

Reduction in PMS Symptoms and Fibrocystic

Breast Disease

Several double-blind clinical studies have been
performed on vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
supplementation for the reduction of fibrocystic
breast disease and premenstrual syndrome
(PMS). Premenstrual syndrome is cyclic and
comes with many uncomfortable symptoms
including, painful swelling of the breasts, bloating,
water retention, cramping, headache, dizziness,
foggy thinking, irritability and depression.
Fibrocystic breast disease are benign tumors of
the breast and often become painful and swollen
with the onset of menstruation.
These studies indicate that women given 600 IU of
vitamin E per day had a reduction in overall PMS
symptoms, particularly fibrocystic breast disease.
It appears the vitamin E normalizes hormone
levels in both PMS and FBD patients.
Increased Success Rate for IVF
In another study, it has been shown that men who
prepared with vitamin E prior to IVF treatment,
with their partners, had an increase in rate of
fertilization from 19% to 29%.
Miscarriage Prevention Support
Vitamin E in amounts up to 600 IU per day (use
only 50 IU if you have high blood pressure, heart
disease, or diabetes) has been shown to help
prevent miscarriage in women with a history of
recurrent miscarriage.
Supports a Healthy Amniotic Sac in Pregnancy
Vitamin E supplementation has been shown to
help prevent premature rupture of the membranes
(amniotic sac) in pregnancy. It appears that
vitamin E may increase the quality of the amniotic
sac.

Vitamin E Supplementation

First and foremost vitamin E should be consumed
by eating a diet rich in a variety of different whole
foods. Foods that are rich in vitamin E are: Raw
vegetable oils, nuts, nut butters, rice bran oil,
barley, seaweed, green leafy vegetables,
asparagus, avocado, berries, and tomatoes.
As you learned before, vitamin E is an antioxidant.
Antioxidants help protect protect the body from
the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants
neutralize the free radicals, stopping further
damage from happening and protecting the cells
health, but the body needs a variety of
antioxidants to do this. Antioxidants work to stop
free radicals by engulfing them, and then melding
into its molecular structure. Antioxidants rely on
other “sister” antioxidants to come and revive
them, so they can continue on to stop free
radicals from spreading and damaging cells.
CoQ10, vitamin C and Lipoic Acid revive vitamin E.
In order to be sure you are getting a wide variety
of antioxidants, we suggest you supplement with
a complete antioxidant supplement to protect
cellular health.
There are a variety of different forms of vitamin E.
If you choose to supplement with vitamin E, be
sure you are first getting it through whole foods
and second choose natural sources, never
synthetic.
Natural Forms
d-alpha-tocopherol
d-alpha-tocopheryl
acetate
d-alpha-tocopheryl
succinate
Synthetic Forms
dl-alpha-tocopherol
dl-alpha-tocopheryl
acetate
dl-alpha-tocopheryl
succinate
There are several other natural tocopherols that
demonstrate vitamin E activity and exert
antioxidant activity, they are: d-beta-, d-gamma-,
d-delta-, and a group of related compounds known
as tocotrienols. These are not as strong as d-
alpha, but still beneficial.
Suggested daily usage: 500mg a day of mixed
tocopherols and tocotrienols in addition to a diet
rich in vitamin E foods.

Health is your greatest wealth