 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Aileen S. Trant, PhD, The Daily Wellness Co., 275 Santa Ana Ct., Sunnyvale, CA 94085, 408-738-8288 x212, aileent@dailywellness.com
Objective: To determine the impact of nutritional supplementation on the optimization of reproductive health in women.
Study Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was initiated to determine the effects of FertilityBlend„µ, a proprietary nutritional supplement containing chasteberry and green tea extracts, L-arginine, vitamins (including folate) and minerals. Changes in progesterone level, basal body temperature, menstrual cycle, pregnancy rate and side effects were monitored.
Results: Thirty-one (31) women, age 24-46 years, who had tried unsuccessfully to conceive for six to 36 months completed the study. After three months, the supplement group (N=15) demonstrated a trend toward an increase in mean mid-luteal phase progesterone level (from 8.2 to 12.8 ng/ml, p=0.08); also a significant increase in the average number of days in cycle with basal temperatures over 37„aC (98„aF) during luteal phase (6.8 to 9.7 days, p=0.04). The placebo group (N=16) did not show any notable changes after treatment, in any of the parameters studied. After five months, five of the 15 women in the supplement group were pregnant (33%), and none of the 16 women in the placebo group were pregnant (p<0.01). No significant side effects were noted.
Conclusion: Nutritional supplementation may provide an attractive alternative to or complement conventional fertility therapies.
Learning objective: Assess the population most likely to benefit from nutritional therapy versus other forms of fertility treatment.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Women, Alternative Medicine/Therapies
Presenting author's disclosure statement: