Dietary effects on fertility treatment and pregnancy outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
We summarize the dietary modifications that optimize fertility treatment outcomes.


RESULTS
Body weight and nutritional status are closely related to reproductive function. However, few studies have investigated the direct effects of dietary modification on fertility treatment outcomes. Research on nutrition in pregnancy suggests that reduction in glycemic load and micronutrient supplementation may improve pregnancy outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Body weight and specific dietary factors may affect fertility but evidence regarding dietary effects on fertility treatment outcomes is lacking. Research suggests that diets with a low glycemic load during pregnancy may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or large-for-gestational-age births after adjusting for body mass index and total energy intake, but the effect of protein modification remains controversial. There is also lack of information on the impact of energy restriction during pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes. Folate supplementation is recommended for prevention of birth defects but further research is required to determine the optimal dose to reduce the risks of multiple gestations. Further information on the upper limits of caffeine and alcohol intake during pregnancy would also be useful.
Lim
Siew S
SS
Discipline of Physiology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia. siew.lim@csiro.au
Noakes
Manny
M
Norman
Robert J
RJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D014131:Trace Elements; D002110:Caffeine