4 Reasons Why Nutrition Can Be a Game-Changer for Your IVF Journey

IVF can feel overwhelming — appointments, injections, scans… and then trying to figure out what to eat and which supplements actually help? The good news? It has been proven time and time again that nutrition can play a powerful role in boosting your chances of success, and it’s often overlooked. Here’s how nutrition can make a real difference and what you can do to boost your chances of a healthy pregnancy while you prepare for IVF:

1. Reduces Oxidative Stress to Improve Sperm and Egg Quality

Oxidative stress is a major culprit in fertility struggles. It damages sperm and eggs by creating harmful free radicals that interfere with their function and DNA integrity. Eating foods rich in antioxidants like berries, nuts, and leafy greens—and supporting this with supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10—helps neutralize these damaging molecules. Research shows antioxidant supplementation can improve sperm motility and concentration by up to 30%, enhancing fertilization rates during IVF cycles (Showell et al., 2014; Bentov & Casper, 2013).

2. Enhances Your Vaginal and Uterine Microbiome to Boost Implantation Rates

Your reproductive tract hosts a delicate ecosystem of bacteria known as the vaginal and uterine microbiome. A healthy balance dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria is linked to higher implantation and pregnancy rates. In fact, women with a Lactobacillus-rich vaginal microbiome have almost double the chance of successful implantation compared to those without (Moreno et al., 2016). Supporting this with fermented foods like natural yoghurt or kefir, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, and managing stress can create a more welcoming environment for your embryo.

3. Increases the Number of Healthy Embryos

Nutrition directly supports egg quality and embryo development. Eggs rely on healthy mitochondria to develop properly, which needs nutrients such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate. Studies have shown women consuming higher levels of omega-3s and folate tend to produce more high-quality embryos during IVF cycles (Gaskins et al., 2014; Ruder et al., 2018). Including oily fish, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds in your diet can help nourish your eggs and increase your chances of producing viable embryos.

4. Supports Uterine Lining Health for Successful Implantation

A thick, receptive uterine lining is crucial for implantation. Nutrients like vitamin D, iron, and zinc support healthy endometrial growth and improve blood flow. Adequate vitamin D levels, in particular, have been linked with better implantation success and pregnancy outcomes during IVF (Anifandis et al., 2010; Irani & Merhi, 2014). Spending time in natural sunlight, eating iron-rich foods like lean red meat and spinach, and ensuring sufficient zinc intake are simple ways to support your uterine health.

If you can focus on your nutrition as you prepare for IVF, you can reduce stress on your eggs and sperm, create an optimal environment for implantation, increase the number of healthy embryos, and boost your chances of success.

It doesn't have to be complicated, include a drastic overhaul of your current diet, or involve extensive amounts of supplements- but it does have to be specific to you, your time availability, fertility needs, and lifestyle.

If you would like your very own personalised nutrition plan to help you prepare for IVF through nutrition and lifestyle changes that are proven by research to work, then my 1-1 fertility intensive consultation is for you.

In your 60-75 minute one-on-one fertility nutrition session, you’ll receive a personalized assessment covering your medical history, current diet, supplements, lifestyle, and any relevant lab results. Based on this, you’ll get a tailored nutrition and supplement plan designed to support your fertility goals, including specific food recommendations, supplement types and dosages, and practical meal and snack ideas suited to your lifestyle and preferences. Before your session, you’ll be asked to complete a pre-consultation form, track your food intake for several days, and share any recent lab results to help guide the advice. After the session, you’ll receive your customized plan wit

hin 48 hours, plus access to helpful resources to support you on your journey. Follow-up sessions are available if you want ongoing support to stay on track and optimize your fertility nutrition.

You can learn more and book now HERE.

Alex Cameron

NZ Registered Dietitian

Certified Fertility & Prenatal Dietitian

References:

• Anifandis, G., et al. (2010). "Vitamin D in reproduction: from preconception to childhood." Human Reproduction Update, 16(6), 620–634.

• Bentov, Y., & Casper, R. F. (2013). "The aging oocyte—can mitochondrial replacement therapy prevent age-related infertility?" Fertility and Sterility, 99(7), 1816–1821.

• Gaskins, A. J., et al. (2014). "Dietary patterns and outcomes of assisted reproduction." Fertility and Sterility, 101(4), 1217–1224.

• Irani, M., & Merhi, Z. (2014). "Role of vitamin D in ovarian physiology and its implication in reproduction: a systematic review." Gynecological Endocrinology, 30(11), 826–831.

• Moreno, I., et al. (2016). "Evidence that the endometrial microbiota has an effect on implantation success or failure." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 215(6), 684–703.

• Ruder, E. H., et al. (2018). "Nutritional factors and female fertility: a review." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(4), 379–389.

• Showell, M. G., et al. (2014). "Antioxidants for male subfertility." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD007411.