Fertility Road Issue 44 May/June 2018

BODY
Omega 3 fatty acids
The Omega 3 fatty acids have far reaching effects for
both male and female fertility. Sometimes immune
problems may be affecting a woman’s ability to get
and stay pregnant. The theory is that in order for
her body to stay pregnant, her immune system has
to quieten down because half the baby’s DNA is not
hers. Normally if the body detects something foreign
it aims to reject it and expel it from the body. For
some women, their immune systems do not quieten
down and so they can’t get or stay pregnant.
One of the immune antibodies measured is called
antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs). These bloodclotting
antibodies can prevent implantation and
cause recurrent miscarriage by attacking the cells
that build the placenta. The medical treatment
for this is blood thinners like aspirin and heparin.
But research has shown that fish oil given to 22
women with APAs who already had 3 or more
miscarriages went on to have 23 pregnancies (one
woman has twins) without a miscarriage.
Omega 3 fatty acids are also important for male
fertility because semen is rich in prostaglandins,
which are produced from these Omega 3
fatty acids. Men with poor sperm quality,
abnormal sperm, poor motility or low count,
can have inadequate levels of these beneficial
prostaglandins and by supplementing with
Omega 3 fish oils there was a significant increase
in sperm count compared to a placebo.
I know making these changes requires an effort
on the couple’s part but as research in 2010 in
the journal Andrologia stated ‘There is strong
evidence that complementary treatment with
an appropriate nutraceutical improves the
natural conception rate of infertile couples
and increases the success rate of assisted
reproductive techniques. Combating obesity,
correcting inappropriate diet and banning the
abuse of tobacco and alcohol are part of the
integrated approach’.
Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD is the UK’s leading
nutritionist specialising in women’s health.
She is the Former President of the Food
and Health Forum at the Royal Society of
Medicine and the author of a number of
internationally best selling books including
‘Getting Pregnant Faster, ‘Natural Solutions
to PCOS’ and ‘The Natural Health Bible for
Women’ see marilynglenville.com. Dr
Glenville runs a number of women’s health
clinics in Harley Street, London, Tunbridge
Wells and Ireland. If you are interested in a
consultation, you can contact Dr Glenville’s
clinic on 01892 515905 or by email: health@
marilynglenville.com
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