The Relationship Between Vitamin D and Fertility
Doctors and researchers have found links between Vitamin D and fertility, due to its effects on the endocrine system.
For this reason, fertility specialists and obstetricians recommend that couples who are looking to conceive make healthy choices and incorporate certain vitamins into their diet. There’s been a lot of discussion about vitamin D and its relation to fertility in this light.
It’s clear that vitamin D deficiency isn’t a favorable thing for anyone. For our body to function correctly, we need certain nutrients that will act to stabilize the function of our internal organs.
Taking this into consideration, medical specialists have determined that vitamin D can improve fertility levels. Thus, vitamin D is frequently prescribed by fertility clinics around the world.
About vitamin D
Vitamin D is a chemical substance that helps metabolize important nutrients in the body. Furthermore, it’s tied to the metabolism of calcium, the endocrine system, the immunological system, and the mineralization of bones.
There are two ways that an individual can absorb vitamin D in the body. The first is more simple; it’s with exposure to the sun’s rays. The second is by consuming products like milk and oily fish, and ingesting vitamin D directly by taking vitamin supplements.
Some consequences of vitamin D deficiency are well known: problems with bone development and demineralization of the bones, as well as the diminution of cognitive functions, colon cancer, and in the case of children, rickets.
Is it possible to consume too much vitamin D?
A body can suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, but you also have to be careful because using too many supplements can be harmful. However, you can be assured that sun exposure or eating foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D won’t have any toxic effect.
Nonetheless, you should use caution and avoid taking vitamin D for prolonged periods of time. You also shouldn’t exceed the highest recommended dose of 2500 (UI) daily.
Some of the symptoms of vitamin D overdose are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, extreme thirst, and mental confusion. On the other hand, longer-term consequences are cardiovascular disorders, kidney stones, and severe kidney damage.
These are important points to keep in mind because you should never self-medicate. Don’t even take vitamin supplements without first discussing it with your doctor.
Also, try not to let your desire to become a mother get the best of your sense of judgment. The excessive consumption of substances that can be harmful in big doses can lead to serious problems.
The relationship between vitamin D and fertility
One of the first striking things to know about vitamin D is that according to studies, a large part of the population is deficient in this vitamin. However, not everyone needs supplements of the vitamin. If the woman is healthy and has the right level of vitamin D in her body, she won’t need to take anything.
“Exposure to the sun and eating foods that are rich in vitamin D won’t cause an overdose. Nonetheless, you should be careful not to take vitamin D pills for a prolonged period of time. Nor should you exceed the recommended doses.”
The direct effects of vitamin D on fertility are due to the kind of receptors contained in this substance. They go directly to the ovaries, the uterus, and the placenta. For this reason, women with the correct levels of vitamin D are those that produce stronger, better quality embryos.
Final recommendations
It’s worth reinforcing the idea that you can have too much of a good thing. Thus, you shouldn’t just start taking vitamin D supplements indiscriminately.
The most appropriate thing to do is have your doctor check your body’s levels. You should only act if you’re deficient in vitamin D and with your doctor’s advice.
In the case that your levels are within normal limits, there’s nothing more you need to do. You can continue assuring yourself that as long as you’re eating well and following a healthy lifestyle, the higher the chances are that you’ll become pregnant without any supplements.
The best you can do is to eat healthily and follow your doctor’s medical advice. In that way, you’re doing the best you can to keep you and your future baby healthy.