Omega-3 fatty acids, found in seafood, some nuts, and fish oil supplements, are great for supporting overall health and fertility.

Omega-3 fats have been shown to provide many benefits for reproductive and general health in both men and women.

In women, many studies have shown that additional omega-3 intake supports egg quality and slows ovarian aging, supporting healthy fetal and infant development. For men, omega-3 supplementation has been shown to support healthy sperm count, motility and morphology.

Getting enough omega-3 through diet alone can prove difficult, as most people do not regularly consume foods rich in omega-3. The addition of omega-3 in the form of a dietary supplement is certainly the easiest way to ensure a sufficient intake of omega-3 fats.

Omega-3s are structural components of all cell membranes and all cells need omega-3 acids to function normally.1 As such, omega-3s are found in sperm and egg cells and are essential for their proper functioning.

It has been proven that the presence of omega-3 in sperm cell membranes has a significant effect on spermatogenesis (sperm development). Sperm from men with asthenozoospermia (low sperm motility) and oligozoospermia (low sperm count) have lower levels of omega-3 fats compared to men with normal sperm parameters.

This led researchers to conclude that omega-3s are essential for sperm growth. Omega-3 is found not only in men's sperm, but also in women's egg cells. Research shows that omega-3 fats may protect against age-related decline in egg quality.3

Research shows that omega-3 fats have high antioxidant capacity, which helps reduce oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are major contributors to many fertility problems in men and women.4,5

Because fish oil supplements and the omega-3s they contain are linked to male fertility, they have been the subject of much research.

In 2019, researchers conducted a meta-analysis review of 12 observational studies that measured the correlation between omega-3 intake and male fertility. As a result of the review, researchers concluded that omega-3 supplements can help improve sperm quality in men.6

In a 2018 placebo-controlled study, 60 men were divided into groups that received a placebo or 0.5 g, 1 g, or 2 g of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) per day. After one month, the groups receiving 1 g or 2 g of omega-3 daily saw a significant improvement in sperm motility7,8.

The 1g and 2g groups saw an increase in motile sperm from 28% to 37% and from 32% to 41%, respectively. After three months, all groups taking DHA (0.5g, 1g and 2g) saw improvements in the percentage of total motile sperm. As a result of the study, researchers found that DHA supplementation can significantly increase sperm motility and that higher doses result in an immediate improvement.

Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for women's overall health, and that consuming omega-3 fatty acids can help support healthy egg quality, slow ovarian aging, and improve pregnancy rates.

In 2011, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) published a study showing that women who consumed more omega-3s were more likely to have better ovulation patterns than women who consumed lower amounts of omega-3s.9

In a study published in 2018, researchers focused on the impact of omega-3 fatty acids and pregnancy rates. They found that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a higher likelihood of clinical pregnancy and live birth. In fact, every 1% increase in blood omega-3 levels resulted in an 8% increase in pregnancy and live births.11

The exact recommended daily intake of Omega-3 fatty acids has not been determined. The European Food Safety Agency recommends that healthy adults consume at least 250 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily.

There are many types of Omega-3 supplements, but not all are equal. Look for purified fish oil with a high Omega-3 concentration, such as Infinivit Omega-3. Infinivit Omega-3 is produced from Epax fish oil of exceptional purity. Just 2 capsules a day are enough for a sufficient intake of omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA).

To ensure adequate levels of Omega-3, it is recommended to eat fatty fish (salmon or tuna) at least twice a week and to consume Infinivit Omega-3 fats especially on days when you do not eat enough fish.