OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of nutritional supplementation on optimization of reproductive health in women. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was initiated to determine the effects of FertilityBlend (Daily Wellness Co., Sunnyvale, California), a proprietary nutritional supplement containing chasteberry and green tea extracts, L-arginine, vitamins (including folate) and minerals. Changes in progesterone level, basal body temperature, menstrual cycle, pregnancy rate and side effects were monitored. RESULTS:Thirty women aged 24-46 years who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for 6-36 months completed the study. After 3 months, the supplement group (n = 15) demonstrated a trend toward an increase in mean midluteal phase progesterone level (from 8.2 to 12.8 ng/mL, P = .08) and a significant increase in the average number of days in the cycle with basal temperatures >37 degrees C during the luteal phase (6.8-9.7 days, P = .04). The placebo group (n = 15) did not show any notable changes after treatment in any of the parameters studied. After 5 months, 5 of the 15 women in the supplement group were pregnant (33%), and none of the 15 women in the placebo group were (P <.01). No significant side effects were noted. CONCLUSION:Nutritional supplementation may provide an attractive alternative or complement to conventional fertility therapy.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of nutritional supplementation on optimization of reproductive health in women. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was initiated to determine the effects of FertilityBlend (Daily Wellness Co., Sunnyvale, California), a proprietary nutritional supplement containing chasteberry and green tea extracts, L-arginine, vitamins (including folate) and minerals. Changes in progesterone level, basal body temperature, menstrual cycle, pregnancy rate and side effects were monitored. RESULTS: Thirty women aged 24-46 years who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for 6-36 months completed the study. After 3 months, the supplement group (n = 15) demonstrated a trend toward an increase in mean midluteal phase progesterone level (from 8.2 to 12.8 ng/mL, P = .08) and a significant increase in the average number of days in the cycle with basal temperatures >37 degrees C during the luteal phase (6.8-9.7 days, P = .04). The placebo group (n = 15) did not show any notable changes after treatment in any of the parameters studied. After 5 months, 5 of the 15 women in the supplement group were pregnant (33%), and none of the 15 women in the placebo group were (P <.01). No significant side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Nutritional supplementation may provide an attractive alternative or complement to conventional fertility therapy.
Authors: Sunni L Mumford; Richard W Browne; Karen C Schliep; Jonathan Schmelzer; Torie C Plowden; Kara A Michels; Lindsey A Sjaarda; Shvetha M Zarek; Neil J Perkins; Lynne C Messer; Rose G Radin; Jean Wactawski-Wende; Enrique F Schisterman Journal: J Nutr Date: 2015-11-18 Impact factor: 4.798
Authors: Audrey J Gaskins; Sunni L Mumford; Jorge E Chavarro; Cuilin Zhang; Anna Z Pollack; Jean Wactawski-Wende; Neil J Perkins; Enrique F Schisterman Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-09-26 Impact factor: 3.240