A recent review shows that anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, may boost the odds of conception in couples struggling with infertility.
The article "Anti-Inflammatory Diets in Fertility: An Evidence Review" published in the journal Nutrition, suggests that adhering to anti-inflammatory diets increases fertility, success in assisted reproductive technology (ART), and sperm quality in men. These dietary patterns increase the consumption of monosaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids while decreasing red and processed meat intake.
Mediterranean Diet and Fertility
The Mediterranean diet is anti-inflammatory in nature that follows an eating pattern of whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, nuts, herbs, and spices, as per Cleveland Clinic. More so, yogurt, cheese, lean protein sources (fish, poultry, or eggs), and red and processed meats are consumed in moderation.
On the other hand, a Western diet is more saturated fats, refined carbs, and animal proteins. Aside from being rich in energy, this diet is low in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and is linked to greater levels of inflammation.
According to the article in MIMS Urology, the specific mechanisms that anti-inflammatory components may directly influence infertility remain unclear. But previous studies show that an anti-inflammatory diet attenuates pro-inflammatory markers before conception and during pregnancy.
That means that the effect of an anti-inflammatory diet is likely related to the diverse and synergistic relationships between the array of vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, phytochemicals, and other non-nutritive compounds that modulate inflammatory processes.
The investigators added that adherence to a Western diet is thought to be involved in the upregulation of several genes associated with inflammatory pathways that play in complex physiological actions regulating whole-body metabolisms, such as satiety, glucose disposal, fatty acid oxidation, and adipose tissue lipolysis.
Studies in the past proposed that these pro-inflammatory pathways may be linked to poor fertility outcomes in men and women.
Mediterranean Diet May Lower Preeclampsia During Pregnancy
Aside from helping improve fertility outcomes in both men and women, a separate study also showed how the Mediterranean diet lower preeclampsia during pregnancy.
The study published in JAMA Network Open claims that pregnant women following a Mediterranean diet have a significantly lower risk of having preeclampsia. This condition is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication that can cause high blood pressure and put stress on the mother's heart. It could weaken the blood supply to the fetus and weaken the kidneys and liver function of the mother.
Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai found that mothers with a Mediterranean diet are 37% less likely to get gestational diabetes with a strong association among women 35 years old and above.
The findings add to the growing evidence of the benefits of following a Mediterranean diet. However, Natalie Bello, the senior author of the study from the Smidt Heart Institute, said that more long-term studies are needed to know whether adopting a Mediterranean diet at conception and throughout pregnancy can prevent health complications.
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