| Often called a natural fertility booster, B6 might just be the vitamin you could be looking for to help you fall pregnant.
Often sold for easing PMS symptoms such as cramps, breast tenderness, fluid retention and mood swings, the benefits to fertility are becoming increasingly popular.
A recent study by the American Journal of Epidemiology followed 364 women in China and their levels of Vitamin B6 over a twelve month period. Those women with high levels of the vitamin increased both their odds of falling pregnant as well as decreasing their risk of pregnancy loss. The women who were Vitamin B6 deficient had more trouble conceiving and an increased risk of loss.
A deficiency can lead to a buildup of estrogen in your system causing decreased progesterone production. A proper balance of estrogen and progesterone is essential for conception to occur. Too low a level of progesterone can lead to miscarriage and luteal phase defects (where the time from ovulation to menstruation is shorter than 10 days).
B6 effectively reduces blood estrogen and increases progesterone in the body making you much more conducive to getting pregnant.
Vitamin B6 can also improve mucus quality. Sperm needs a viable mucus consistency travel through the cervix to get to the egg, and the better quality fertile mucus you have, the easier it is for sperm and egg to meet and hopefully make a baby.
B6 works best when taken with the other B group vitamins as it absorbs better this way. Just 60 mg is usually enough to make positive changes, although if you don’t notice a difference in your luteal phase within two to three months, try increasing the dosage. 100-200 mg is usually recommended.
Vitamin B6 occurs naturally in yeast, whole grains, legumes, liver, eggs, cereal, meat & fish.
By Tracey Edwards
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