Just because you are taking all the “right” fertility supplements does not mean you are absorbing them. This is true for all supplements truthfully and there are many reasons, including but not limited to:
Want to get pregnant this year? Grab your copy of the Ultimate Guide To Getting Pregnant This Year With Low AMH/High FSH.
- Lack of a healthy gut barrier
- Not all supplements are created equal
- Some variation of a nutrient are more bioavailable to us than others
- Some supplements become more bioavailable when paired with others
- You could be part of the 60% of the population that has a MTHFR gene mutation
Gut health + absorption
About 80% of your immune system is in the gut, so gut health affects your immune balance. A healthy gut barrier is critical for healthy nutrient absorption and keeping the gut content inside the gut.
Let’s Get Personal
I don’t often talk about my own journey in these blogs as all of us have vastly different experiences, but when it comes to the topic of nutrient absorption, I find it vital to share that switching my B vitamins to a methylated version completely changed my life. I am not exaggerating here.
I was diagnosed with both Celiac Disease and Lyme Disease at 18. I had struggled most of my life with a surplus of gut issues, brain fog and just mere struggle getting through everyday. I had a great deal of difficulty concentrating and working for longer than a short burst. I often leaned heavily on coffee which I later learned was only exacerbating my issues but that's a whole other blog.
When a functional practitioner asked me if I had a MTHFR gene mutation my instinct was to laugh and say “ What? The Mother F*cker gene? What is that?” She met me with laughter and explained that if I had it, then I likely wasn’t actually absorbing all my supplements. To say my mind was blown doesn't even prepare you for what happens next.
I got tested and sure enough, I had a mutation and she immediately recommended methylated B vitamins. Now are you paying attention? Because I KID YOU NOT, my life completely changed! NO more brain fog, no more constant need for coffee! That 2pm energy slump was gone. I could actually get projects done. I could concentrate while reading a book! I felt like I had an entirely different brain and body.
The moral of the story here is that the quality of the supplements you take matters significantly.
Sperm Health and Nutrient Absorption
This blog, like most of ours, is not just for women trying to get pregnant. Men are 50% of the equation. Listen to this podcast with Justine Altman, FDNP about How To Improve Low Sperm Count, Motility and DNA Fragmentation. Specifically, this podcast addressed how low stomach acid affects our digestion and nutrient absorption and well as the inevitable connection between one's nutrient absorption and their fertility.
What We Recommend
Our team of fertility experts have gathered together what we believe are the best foundational supplements to support you on your fertility journey that take into consideration everything discussed above. For quality to bioavailability as well as methylation, these supplements are the best bang for your buck. You can learn more about each one we recommend and why at Fab For Life Naturals Fertility Collection.
Additional Resources:
- What does gut health have to do with hormone balance and infertility?
- What you need to know about folate and folic acid if you struggle with fertility, high FSH, and low AMH
Want to get pregnant this year? Grab your copy of the Ultimate Guide To Getting Pregnant This Year With Low AMH/High FSH.
Blog by Samantha Coffin - Fertility Coach at Fab Fertile
