Best Supplements To Take For Egg Freezing
If you’re looking into egg freezing, one of the most important factors to take into consideration is the quality of your eggs. There is limited research into this as it is a relatively new process. However, we can investigate the process of fertility outcomes. This is where the research is strong. I take the view that we first do no harm. If you do or try something, will it harm you or your future child? If the answer is no, and you can improve your own health at the same time, then why not go for it?
Get on top of your folate consumption
There is a difference between folic acid and folate. Folic acid is a synthetic (man-made), folate is the natural form from foods. 10 to 20% of the population have a gene mutation on the enzyme MTHFR. This is an enzyme that enables the body to process folate/folic acid effectively. Get it from green vegetables, lentils, strawberries, oranges, and avocado among others. Best practices: 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for 1 to 3 months prior to freezing.
Increase your intake of CoQ10
CoQ10 is an important antioxidant that helps your body fight free radicals and inflammation. Free radicals may have a direct impact on egg quality by altering DNA. Supplementation is likely the best way to go with this. Please be aware that not all supplements are created equal. That certainly applies to CoQ10. It is a volatile nutrient that requires careful processing. Cheap, low quality isn’t the way to go here.
Foods that contain CoQ10 include:
- Organ meats, heart, liver, kidneys
- Muscle meats, beef, and chicken
- Oily fish, herring, mackerel, sardines, and trout
Maintain your Zinc levels
Zinc is essential for early embryo development. The good news is that zinc is available in a range of foods including: quinoa, cashews, oyster, crab and fish. So make sure you secure your zinc intake before and throughout the process.
Optimize your Vitamin D
There are chronic low levels of vitamin D in the region. The single best source of vitamin D is the sun. Optimal vitamin D levels are considered essential for the quality of the follicular fluid that surrounds the ovaries and the eggs. It could be advised to check your vitamin D levels before freezing and then address any deficiency before proceeding. There are some foods that contain vitamin D such as salmon, egg yolks and sardines. However, these are unlikely to resolve a deficiency. It may be that supplementation is the way to go here.
Level up your Omega 3
These are ‘essential’ fatty acids. Essential because we cannot produce omega 3 and must consume it through food or supplementation. Omega 3 is an important part of any egg freezing diet, as it has been shown to increase the lifespan of eggs and increase their quality.
As with CoQ10 please be aware that not all supplements are created equal. That certainly applies to Omega 3. It is a volatile nutrient that requires careful processing. Foods that contain Omega 3 include: fish and seafoods, flaxseeds, walnuts and chia. Please note that vegetable sources tend to be poorly absorbed so if fish isn’t your thing, then supplementation is the way to go.
Valeo co-founder and COO Nadin Karag shares with us her personal egg freezing experience, along with the supplements she chose to take while on this journey. Learn all about it in the link below and make sure to always consult with your Valeo health coach or health care provider before taking any supplements!
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