Integrative Nutrition & Herbal Medicine

The Importance of Vitamin D for your Fertility

Posted by:

|

On:

|

, , , ,

Did you know that vitamin D receptors are found in the ovaries, uterus, placenta, testicular tissue, and sperm?

This means that optimal vitamin D levels are crucial for reproductive health – for both females and males!

Research shows that low levels of vitamin D are associated with the following:

  • Reduced fertility
  • Insulin resistance
  • PCOS
  • Endometriosis
  • Poor IVF outcomes
  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes: low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, poor fetal development
  • Low testosterone and poor sperm quality in males

The best way to get vitamin D?

Sun exposure! Even just 10 minutes per day can allow you to get a fair amount of vitamin D.

So, get outside on your lunch break for that 10-minute stroll! On average (depending where you live), 30 minutes of sun exposure is equivalent to 10,000 to 25,000 IU of vitamin D (that’s a lot!). Exposing your arms and legs is best for vitamin D absorption.

I usually like checking vitamin D levels 1-2x/year – once before summer/optimal UV time and another time post-summer/fall.

Are you getting daily sun exposure to optimize your fertility?
Have you checked your vitamin D levels lately?