Antioxidants do not help women conceive

Despite previous clinical trials suggesting that antioxidants can help women conceive, a new review says that this is not enough. Women who undergo fertility treatment are often encouraged to take dietary supplements that contain antioxidants. Yet the review, published in the Cochrane Library, studied data from 28 clinical trials, which involved 3,548 women attending fertility clinics, and said the results did not show a significant enough increase in fertility among women taking antioxidants compared to those taking placebos or having other standard treatments like folic acid. Lead researcher Marian Showell, who works in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Auckland said: 'There is no evidence in this review that suggests taking an antioxidant is beneficial for women who are trying to conceive.' However, it is possible that fulfilling other dietary requirements could affect conception. To confirm whether or not antioxidants can improve women's fertility, further clinical trials could shed some light. Extract: A new set of clinical trials suggests antioxidants do not increase fertility in women.

Despite previous clinical trials suggesting that antioxidants can help women conceive, a new review says that this is not enough.

Women who undergo fertility treatment are often encouraged to take dietary supplements that contain antioxidants.

Yet the review, published in the Cochrane Library, studied data from 28 clinical trials, which involved 3,548 women attending fertility clinics, and said the results did not show a significant enough increase in fertility among women taking antioxidants compared to those taking placebos or having other standard treatments like folic acid.

Lead researcher Marian Showell, who works in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Auckland said: "There is no evidence in this review that suggests taking an antioxidant is beneficial for women who are trying to conceive."

However, it is possible that fulfilling other dietary requirements could affect conception. To confirm whether or not antioxidants can improve women's fertility, further clinical trials could shed some light.