Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 26: When couples think of IVF, images of hormone injections, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer come to mind—but rarely nutrition. Traditionally, dietary advice has been limited to vague recommendations like eating well and taking folic acid. However, evidence now shows that nutrition is a fundamental factor that can influence IVF outcomes.

Egg quality, sperm integrity, and endometrial receptivity are all closely linked to micronutrient status, oxidative stress, and metabolic health. Ignoring these factors means overlooking a variable as important as lab interventions. Precision nutrition—identifying deficiencies, tailoring interventions, and tracking the body’s response—is now considered essential.

In the months leading up to IVF, assessing and correcting vitamin D, B12, iron, antioxidants, and other nutrients helps create the optimal biological environment. Men’s sperm health is similarly affected by oxidative stress and micronutrient levels.

During IVF, nutrition continues to play a critical role. Hormonal changes affect metabolism, energy, and appetite. Balanced meals stabilize blood sugar, reduce fatigue, and support cellular repair, while protein, antioxidants, and hydration aid the body in coping with stimulation.

After IVF, whether successful or not, the body needs recovery. Hormones recalibrate, energy stores replenish, and early pregnancy demands increase nutritional support. Proper post-cycle nutrition also prepares the body for future attempts.

For IVF to advance, nutrition must be treated with the same seriousness as hormones or follicle monitoring. Personalised, monitored, and adjusted dietary interventions can empower patients, improve outcomes, and remind us that conception is as much about the body’s environment as it is about laboratory science.