Tissues of almost every organ in your body have Vitamin D receptors. This includes reproductive organs as well. So, Vitamin D is necessary for reproductive health, and a deficiency of this nutrient can lead to infertility as well.
Our bodies cannot acquire an adequate amount of Vitamin D from natural sources such as sunlight or food items. But having an optimum level of Vitamin D is not only necessary to improve your fertility but also your overall health.
Vitamin D: An Overview
There are specific nutrients necessary to keep your bones and muscles healthy, such as calcium and phosphate. Vitamin D maintains the level of these elements in our body. This is fat-soluble and can be obtained from fatty fishes such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, egg yolks and dairy products. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to serious issues such as bone pain in adults and bone deformities in children.Types of Vitamin D
Vitamin D3 is the most common form of this nutrient, as it is present in our skin and Vitamin D supplements. The two primary forms of Vitamin D available are Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3.Vitamin D2 vs. Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is called Cholecalciferol and is produced in your skin when exposed to sunlight. Fatty fish, egg yolks, and liver have high amounts of Vitamin D3 in them. Our kidney turns Vitamin D3 into its active form, called calcitriol.
Vitamin D: Mechanism of action
Calcium and Phosphate levels are controlled by Vitamin D. Calcitriol is the active form of Vitamin D3, and it gets attached to the Vitamin D receptors that perform transcription. This results in a change in genetic expression, influencing calcium absorption in the intestines and kidneys. This is crucial for the mineralisation of bone in your body.This nutrient also affects the production of Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is essential for maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels.
Benefits of Vitamin D
Several tissues in your body have Vitamin D receptors, and this nutrient can attach itself to these points and regulate different genes in your body. This can influence a plethora of functions in your body.Vitamin D is responsible for maintaining your bone health. Calcium is a crucial building block for bones, and the calcium level in your body is regulated by Vitamin D.
- Insulin sensitivity is improved.
- Vitamin D also helps to regulate your immune system as it has antimicrobial actions resulting in lower infections and autoimmune issues.
- Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces inflammation in the brain and keeps the brain functioning healthily.
- Vitamin D’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects help to improve cardiovascular health.
Vitamin D and Reproductive Health: An Overview
Vitamin D is a lot more important for women’s fertility and reproductive health than it might appear. This nutrient controls a plethora of reproductive functions. Reproductive organs have Vitamin D receptors in the tissues, conveying how important it is for women's reproductive health overall.The ovaries, uterus and placenta have Vitamin D receptors, which influence several functions such as:
- Egg development
- Implantation
- Ovulation
- Production of steroid hormones
- Menstrual cycle
Hormonal Regulation
Vitamin D stimulates the ovarian cells to produce oestrogen, which results in an impact on the menstrual cycle and fertility. Some studies show that Vitamin D plays an important role in the formation of the corpus luteum, a temporary gland that produces progesterone.
Menstrual Cycle Regulation
Implantation and uterine health
Implantation depends on the condition of the inner lining of the uterus, and Vitamin D regulates the condition of the endometrium. Vitamin D supports uterine health in the following ways:- Regulating the immune system creates a balanced environment in the endometrium.
- Reducing inflammation minimises the chances of complications during implantation.
- Low levels of Vitamin D in your body can significantly impact your uterus with the development of uterine fibroids.
- However, supplements and enough intake of Vitamin D can prevent these complications.
Vitamin D is helpful for individuals with PCOS
A common reason for infertility in women is PCOS, which is sometimes caused by a Vitamin D deficiency. This results in:
- Reproductive hormone imbalance
- Unregulated ovulation
- The rate of ovulation
- Egg quality and development
- Pregnancy outcomes
Role of Vitamin D during pregnancy
The success of your pregnancy depends on the Vitamin D levels in your body. Deficiency of this nutrient has shown the rise of several complications during pregnancy, such as:- Preterm birth
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia
- Bacterial vaginosis
Vitamin D is responsible for a lot of bodily functions. Hence, a deficiency can prove severe for your health. This can result in:
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Compromised immune system
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Infections
How To Add Vitamin D To Your Diet?
You should try to get enough Vitamin D every day by eating healthy foods like fish, eggs, and fortified milk, or by taking supplements if needed.There aren’t a lot of natural sources of Vitamin D. Your body produces this nutrient through direct sunlight exposure to the skin. Only a limited number of food items provide Vitamin D, which include:
- Fatty fishes such as sardines and mackerel
- Red meat
- Liver
- Egg yolks
- Fortified foods (Iodised salt, wheat flour, edible oils)
However, these food items alone are not an adequate source of Vitamin D. The recommended amount of daily intake is 600 IU, which roughly means that you'll need to consume 80-100 grams of fish or meat daily. It is challenging to acquire an optimum level of Vitamin D from a natural diet alone.
Vitamin D supplements to prevent deficiency
As Vitamin D doesn't have many natural sources, supplements help maintain a healthy level of this nutrient in the body.- Vitamin D3 is primarily found in supplements.
- The recommended dose ranges between 1,000-4,000 IU daily.
- Pregnant women may need to intake 2,000-4,000 IU to ensure sufficient levels for both mother and child.
- Blood tests can be used to find out the proper dosage for you, but anything above 150 ng/mL is toxic to your health.
- Exposure to daily sunlight for half an hour
- Supplements are a great way of backing up your daily Vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D plays a key role in women’s fertility and overall reproductive health. It supports hormone balance, menstrual cycle regulation, calcium absorption, kidney function, and the health of the uterus and ovaries.
Having enough Vitamin D can improve the chances of pregnancy, reduce the risk of miscarriage, and lower complications such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Low levels may lead to fatigue, depression, and other health issues.
As it’s hard to get enough Vitamin D from sunlight or food alone, supplements are often needed. Maintaining healthy Vitamin D levels supports fertility and promotes better health for both mother and baby.
FAQs
- Can Vitamin D work in harmony with other supplements to improve fertility?
Vitamin D supplements have a synergistic relationship with other fertility-boosting supplements. For example, magnesium-containing supplements will improve the absorption of Vitamin D. Similarly, Omega-3s help to minimise inflammation and prenatal vitamins help to prevent excessive intake. - Does Vitamin D also improve male fertility?
Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating male fertility as well. It improves sperm quality and boosts testosterone levels and motility, which are crucial factors for conceiving. - Does Vitamin D influence PCOS-related infertility?
Absolutely! Vitamin D can improve your insulin sensitivity, and maintain ovulation by balancing the reproductive hormones and lowering testosterone levels. - Is Vitamin D necessary for dark-skinned women?
Yes, the presence of more melanin in your skin can disrupt the absorption of Vitamin D from the sunlight. Dark-skinned women need more sunlight exposure than lighter-skinned women and often require a higher dosage of Vitamin D supplements. - Should Vitamin D levels be checked?
Vitamin D levels should be checked if you're planning to conceive. Other symptoms might require you to check the Vitamin D levels in your body, such as struggling to conceive or having PCOS-related issues. A simple blood test called the 25(OH) Vitamin D test can be opted for checking and monitoring levels of this nutrient in your body.
