Fertility Supplements – The Importance of Omega-3 for your Fertility Journey

Every day Fertility Help Hub readers ask us for fertility supplement recommendations. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or with fertility specialist help, it’s important to look after your holistic wellbeing to support your body, and ultimately prepare yourself for conception. Omega-3 is a supplement which is commonly discussed within the TTC (trying to conceive) community. Read on to hear from OG Science + Wellbeing about their Omega-3 supplements, and why high-quality ingredients may be so beneficial. They’re also offering our readers a rather lovely discount.

Over to OG Science + Wellbeing

www.ogwellbeing.com | @ogsciencewellbeing

Did you know that Omega-3s have many fertility boosting benefits? And, if you do get pregnant, they are one of the most important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.

A Healthy Body and Mind

When you start thinking about trying to conceive, there is so much information and advice that it can often feel overwhelming. However, one thing that all health and fertility specialists agree on is that it’s vital to give Mother Nature the best chance and to prepare both the male and female body, to maximise your success. The quality of both the eggs and sperm are so important.

Fertility nutritionists suggest that the best ways to prepare your body are to:

1. Make sure you’re getting the right nutrients from a well-balanced diet, with unprocessed food

2. Take regular physical activity

3. Reduce stress

4. Stop smoking

5. Reduce alcohol intake

6. Take good quality supplements including Omega-3 and folic acid

The maturing egg, sperm, endometrium (womb lining) and foetus depend upon nutrients for development. If your diet contains too many environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals: like trans-fats, refined sugars, or excess additives – or is depleted of nutrients, then research shows an individual’s fertility can be significantly affected. Preparing the body for three-four months before trying to conceive is as important as nutrition and health during pregnancy.

Related Article – Gut Health: Why is the Mediterranean Diet So Good For Fertility?

Benefits of Omega-3 for Fertility

You may wonder what the most beneficial foods and nutrients are when thinking about fertility. Well, Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to both adults and children and, as we cannot make them in our body, they must be provided by our diet (such as oily fish, nuts and seeds) or by adding supplements. Many people who are trying to conceive prefer taking an Omega-3 supplement, due to the metal content in the amount of oily fish you would need to eat to obtain the same level of Omegas. The DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) of Omega-3 fatty acids is integral for the building blocks of our brain and the nervous and hormonal systems and is therefore especially important for women who are planning to conceive or who are pregnant.

Some benefits include:

• Supporting the formation of the brain and nervous system of the developing foetus

• Regulating reproductive hormones

• Increasing the blood flow to the uterus (womb)

• Reducing inflammation

• Reducing sensitivity to the hormone prolactin, which can suppress ovulation

• Increasing egg white cervical mucus

• Normalising your cycle

• Studies show babies who get adequate amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids in utero have better cognitive development and vision

• Omega-3 supplementation is associated with a reduction in preterm birth

Ideally, women should take DHAs for at least three months before they conceive, to allow time for them to be fully incorporated into all the tissues. The great news is that OG Omega-3 PLUS has an extremely high concentration of DHA, EPA, as well as DPA. It can be taken in either oil or capsule form which makes it convenient to take and gives you peace of mind if life gets in the way, when you’re thinking about healthy nutrition.

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It Takes Two

A University of Illinois study reported that a certain Omega-3 fatty acid is necessary to construct the arch that turns a round, immature sperm cell into a pointy-headed super swimmer with an extra-long tail: “Normal sperm cells contain an arc-like structure called the acrosome that is critical in fertilization because it houses, organizes, and concentrates a variety of enzymes that sperm use to penetrate an egg” was said by associate professor of biochemical and molecular nutrition Manabu Nakamura.

The study shows for the first time that DHA is essential in fusing the building blocks of the acrosome together. Timothy Abbot, a doctoral student who co-authored the study, talked about how “without DHA, this vital structure doesn’t form and sperm cells don’t work.” OG Omega-3 PLUS is uniquely high in DHA compared to other Omega-3 supplements and it is this essential element that is crucial for male fertility.

Related Article – Veganism & Fertility: Does a Vegan Diet Impact fertility?

Who are OG Science + Wellbeing?

OG Omega-3 PLUS is a unique formulation of science, nature and 30 years of Norwegian research by Professor Emeritus Bjarne Osterud in Tromso, who was on a very personal mission to create a unique Omega-3 supplement. The inspiration for ØMEGA-3 PLUS was the Inuit People of the Arctic who, researchers discovered, exhibited exceptionally good levels of heart health. Their traditional diet of fish, seal and whale blubber contained high levels of DHA and EPA, but more importantly, DPA*. All supported by their natural antioxidants.

Professor Osterud noticed:

• Oil refinement was causing oxidisation and the loss of the beneficial effects of the Omegas

• Many Omega supplements were low ineffectual doses

Therefore, he developed a patented formula based upon natural anti-oxidants (from cold pressed extra virgin olive oil). Sustainability is at the heart of everything OG Science + Wellbeing do. They pride themselves on the fact that OG Omega-3 PLUS is fully traceable from their own trawlers to their quayside refinery in Kristiansand. They only use the best high-quality ingredients, and their fish oil comes purely from North Atlantic herring, caught in the clean waters off the coast of Iceland. They contain naturally high levels of Omega-3s, which are exceptionally rich in DHA and EPA. Not only is it traceable and sustainable, herring is much richer than salmon in Omega-3s.

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OG Omega-3 PLUS has a Unique Formula

We take great pride in our uniquely patented formula. Our product is much loved by industry experts due to its high quality and uniqueness:

• Vitamin D3 added to support healthy teeth, bones and muscles

• 1000mg Omega-3 including DHA, EPA and DPA

• Oxidation protection from cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

• Sustainable fish species – wild-caught North Atlantic Herring

• Fully traceable from our own trawlers to our quayside in Kristiansand

• No fishy flavours

• Ocean friendly packaging – no plastics.

Post-Partum

If you are fortunate enough to become pregnant, Omega-3s are so important during the post-partum stage and if you choose to and are able to breastfeed, DHA is an important omega-3 fatty acid that is most abundant in the brain and retina of the eye. The right amount of DHA in your breastmilk is also something you want to ensure while you’re nursing. Omega-3 fatty acids have been scientifically proven to contribute to healthy brain and eye development.  They have also been linked to a lower incidence of allergies.  In addition, a good quality Omega-3 intake has been shown to improve post-partum blues.

The levels of EPA and DHA (840mg) present in a recommended daily dose of OG Ømega-3 Plus and provide sufficient quantities of essential fatty acids to help support better brain health and mental development. It’s important that breastfeeding mothers don’t consume more than two 140g of oily fish a week which is why taking a daily fish oil supplement is a great way to ensure you are getting these essential nutrients. OG Omega-3 PLUS come in either a supplement form or oil which means they can be easily incorporated into your busy life.

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If you’re trying to conceive or pregnant, it’s worth checking out OG Science + Wellbeing, as they’re generously offering our readers 15% off single pots with exclusive code ‘TFH15’

The following health claims for Omega-3 EPA and DHA have been approved by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) – (Commission Regulation (EU) 1924/2006 and 432/2012):

Brain and Vision: DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants (200 mg DHA plus the daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA for adults which is 250 mg per day).

The EFSA says that the maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants. They recommend pregnant women take 200mg of DHA per day, on top of normal daily requirements of Omega 3.

Consult with your own healthcare provider before changing your diet.