Zink & Conception

[Teodora]

Hello everybody.
I've just read somewhere in the threads that Zink is thought to help conceiving. Does anyone know how much zink trying couples have to take?

Thanks.

(Trying to conceive for 9 months)

Hi

I'm not sure about this, so I would also be interested in knowing, might be worth giving it a go.

i will try to find out more info for you (i own a health shop). but in brief, yes zinc is a great thing to try, especially for the man to take. will post more at the weekend.

I read this in a magazine about 3 years ago too - when I was having difficulties ttc. Can't remember the details though - sorry. I think it was quite high supplements.

Done some quick research:

here :

Zinc is among the most important nutrient minerals in regards to male fertility. Zinc levels in the seminal plasma (the fluid in which the sperm exist) are directly related to sperm mobility,8 and dietary zinc restriction reduces both sperm count9 and seminal plasma volume.10 Moreover, infertile men with azoospermia (absence of living sperm),11 as well as those with oligospermia (low sperm count),12 may have decreased seminal zinc levels.

Several clinical trials have found zinc supplementation to be an effective fertility treatment. In one study, 14 infertile men with unexplained low sperm counts (below 40 million/mL) received 220 mg of zinc sulfate daily. After four months, there were significant improvements in sperm count and in the number of progressively motile and normal spermatozoa--and the wives of two men conceived.13

The results of other studies suggest treatment of a low initial plasma testosterone14 or surgical correction of a varicocele (abnormal dilation of spermatic cord veins) prior to zinc supplementation15 increase the chances of success. In this latter study, of the entire group of infertile men who received zinc, only those who had a varicocelectomy prior to starting zinc supplementation had significant improvements in sperm counts and mobility; in other words, sperm did not improve unless the men had both surgery and zinc supplementation.

And article here too on zinc for women ttc

And this site also gives suggestions on improving how to concieve naturally, including mention of zinc.

In fact there is quite a lot of stuff around. I just did a Google search for "zinc and conception" and it brought up loads.

HTH

After ttc for 3.5years,I took seaweed capsules for the zinc.I don't know if it was coincidence or not,but out of the blue I got pregnant.

Sadly we lost the baby,but took the tablets,tried again & got pregnant with DD,now 9 months old.

This was in conjunction with acupuncture too.

Good Luck

they are apparently good for making energetic sperm I have been told....

also heard that heavy duty vitamin c for the man is good

dh took it for a month and we had ds after over 1.5 years of not using contraception....

My husband took a zinc and vitamin C duo tablet (think Boots make it) and we conceived in the second month of stopping birth control. I was not taking anything at the time except folic acid (again Boots brand).

teodora and malinki, here is the info on zinc and conception.

MALE
lack of zinc is associated with lower testosterone levels.
taking zinc can have a considerable impact on sperm count and sperm motility and male fertility.
zinc supplements extends life span of ejaculated sperm.
in one recent study...couples who were 5yrs ttc...men took 60mg zinc per day...half of couples pregnant within 7 weeks!
Take at least 22mg per day. you will have better success with a good quality brand such as Solgar, ask in health shop for one which is "CHELATED" as it is much much easier to absorb.

FEMALE
deficiency in zinc is linked with impaired hormone sectetion, abnormal ovarian development, frequent miscarriage, prolonged gestation and still births.

ALSO if you're interested:
Take Solgar Prenatal vitamins while ttc (and during pregnancy and breastfeeding). contrains right amount of everything including 400microgram folic acid. I took this even though i already have a good diet.

a herbal remedy called Agnus Castus(or called chaste berry). It helps with production of hormones in last 2 weeks of menstrual cycle. this is when egg is prepared for fertilisation and womb is prepared for pregnancy. acts on pituitary gland. increases level of progesterone relative to oestrogen. STOP TAKING AS SOON AS SUSPECT PREGNANT.

if you want any more info just ask.

Hi Ladies,

Just had to add my 5-cents worth - for what it's worth!!

There is a site, hope I'm allowed to advertise, called www.tryingtoconceive.com - which has loads of helpful hints and herbal remedies. Some of the herbs suggested are Chasteberry (vitex), Dong Quai, Evening Primrose Oil and Flaxseed oil for women and for a man, Zinc, Damiana and Maca and I would also suggest Tribulus Terrestris for a man with low libido and sperm.

I'm going off in a few minutes to buy my dh some Tribulus and for myself I've bought EPO (evening primrose oil) to take from AF to O - helps to increase EWCM and Flaxseed oil from O to AF for the same thing. Then I've also bought Vitex and Dong Quai to help regulate my cycles so that I can pinpoint Ovulation as I'm having a hard time with OPK's (you'll see my gripe on the Trying to conceive Thread 7).

don't know if I've helped at all, but when we were trying for our daughter dh took zinc 15mg per day and we 'took' the first month of trying. He was also taking loads of Vit C, can't remember the dosage though. I think 1000mg per day is recommended, taken in small amounts throughout the day. Also Vitamin E with Selenium - 400mg.

HTH
Jinty