How Vitamin D Impacts Your Fertility & Hormone Health
Vitamin D. We here about it a lot, and everyone from doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths recommend prioritizing it, but why? In this article, we will outline the benefits of vitamin D for fertility and hormone health!
Did you know vitamin D functions as a hormone in the body and helps regulate dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin production in the brain? Vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food and supplements. We unfortunately can not produce vitamin D on our own. It is mostly produced in the skin in response to sunlight, which is why getting sun exposure for 5 - 30 minutes of sunlight per day is important. Vitamin d can also be absorbed from the food we eat (about 10% of vitamin D is absorbed this way) and supplements.
Foods that are a good source of vitamin D include:
Fatty fish (tuna, sardines, rainbow trout, salmon)
Cod liver oil
Red meat
Animal liver
Mushrooms
Egg yolk
Fortified milks
Calcium-fortified foods such as cereal, orange juice, and oatmeal (note that natural foods are ideal vs. packaged foods)
Benefits of vitamin D for hormones and fertility include:
Regulates hormones
Lowers androgen levels
Boost immune system
Reduces stress
Improves mood
Improves sleep
Increases energy
Improves IVF outcomes and overall fertility rates
And more!
Some evidence on vitamin D suggests vitamin D levels have been shown to support thyroid health, support insulin resistance, and support hormone balance including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a hormone which plays a role in sexual development and reproduction and luteinizing hormone (LH) which is important for sexual health, development and reproduction. In regards to fertility and IVF, evidence shows adequate vitamin D levels support endometrial lining and overall fertility success rates.
Did you know that having conditions like PCOS put you at risk for having a Vitamin D deficiency? The amount of vitamin D a person needs depends on factors including age, gender, sun exposure, climate, ethnicity and more. It is highly recommended you work with a medical professional and get your vitamin D levels checked to see if you’re deficient and/or what supplement is right for you!
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Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.
