Cheaper alternative for Ovaboost for Egg quality?

[CaliDreaming]

Does anyone know of any reasonable priced supplements for egg quality?? I've heard great things about Ovaboost but it is so expensive.

 

[Briss]

CaliDreaming, I do not have an answer I was just curious why you picked this sup? I looked at the ingredients https://www.fairhavenhealth.com/ovaboost.html but cant see anything special? it has 100 Vit E and Folate + coq10 etc which is standard. I think it also contains this "magic" formula: inositol, melatonin and folate. I did some research on this a while ago cos it's said to improve egg quality https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20712264 but my conclusion was that it's only relevant for ladies with PCOS or with sugar/insulin resistant issues. https://www.pcosdietsupport.com/supplements/inositol-and-pcos/

In the States they use Pregnitude which is also not cheap but if you really need it the cheapest would be to just buy the 3 ingredients separately.

 

[CaliDreaming]

Thanks so much for the helpful reply Briss! I just focused on Ovaboost because it was the only supp I knew specifically marketed for egg quality and it seemed convenient.

Good to know that the inositol, melatonin and folate is probably going to do nothing for me.

Which ingredients would you say are the most important for maintaining egg quality? It's so confusing to know which ones to take. I had previously taken wheatgrass and royal jelly, but it seemed the wheatgrass was just a supercharged veggie and royal jelly a natural source of B-vitamins which I already take.

 

[Briss]

after spending a fortune on Vits and sups for years I am seriously disappointed if I am honest. There is a new book on egg quality called it starts with the egg and the author actually says that royal jelly does nothing for egg quality and I well believe that. I also stuffed myself with fresh wheatgrass juice and nothing happened.

Basically the best thing is coq10 cos it does not have side effects and gives your eggie some very needed energy to move chromosomes around. Other vits include a good multi vit, folate (not folic acid), some additional B12, A, C, E. There is a lot of talk about DHEA and I know some women report some success but I'd be careful with this one cos it's a hormone. I personally decided against it for the time being. Generally look after your diet. sugar - the worst thing for egg quality.

Here are some of my notes on egg quality sups:

LIFESTYLE

1. Sleep!
2.

DIET

1. protein.

dosage: 70-90 gm a day
sources: SOLGAR - VANILLA WHEY PROTEIN TO GO
meat/ fish/ cheese/ nuts/ eggs / milk https://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-protein.php

2. superfoods
https://www.drfranklipman.com/the-super-7-foods-with-benefits/

3. Reduce sugar!!

sources:
https://www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk/goji-berries
the happyhealthy company

SUPPLEMENTS

Articles:

https://www.pullingdownthemoon.com/blog/2011/june/supplements-to-improve-egg-quality-.aspx

https://www.fertility.ca/2008/06/how-your-menstrual-cycle-reflects-your-egg-quality/

1. Myo-inositol.

Myo-inositol is a vitamin-like substance. Myo-inositol can be synthesized by the body from food, but when we are already deficient, the lack of myo-inositol can impact the ability of the body to be sensitive to insulin.

a number of studies have shown that the presence of several compounds (i.e., myo-inositol and melatonin) in the follicular fluid positively correlates with oocyte quality and maturation.

may help if i have insulin resistance

dosage: 4 g/day myo-inositol and 3 mg/day melatonin for 3 months

form: Myo-inositol is one of nine different types of inositol.

Myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol? both have insulin-sensitizing capabilities but it seems like Myo-inositol is more effective https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21608442

myo-inositol is often sold as a dietary supplement labeled simply as inositol.

also known as Pregnitude which is basically 2000mg of myo-inositol and 200mcg of folic acid. https://www.pregnitude.com/content/what-is-pregnitude

Zita West recommends for egg quality: 4gm https://www.zitawest.com/buy/supplements/fertility-and-conception/inositol--folic-acid.htm

Articles:

https://www.pcosdiva.com/2012/07/de-mystifying-myo-inositol/
https://www.pcosdietsupport.com/supplements/inositol-and-pcos/

Research papers:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2146323
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12042283
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9169302
https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/supplements-and-miscarriage/d-chiro-inositol

2. Melatonin

it's a hormone, seems controversial, too many side effects but some research shows that it ameliorates the activity of myo-inositol and folic acid by improving oocyte quality .
may discupt ovulation so only recomended in IVF cycles.

Research papers:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20712264

3. DHEA

have a beneficial effect on ovarian reserves for poor-responder patients on IVF treatment
it's a hormone, seems controversial, too many side effects

Dosage: 75 mg during IVF treatment

Articles:
https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/about_chrupdate_0606.html

Research papers:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20729538

4. CoQ10

CoQ10 is a naturally occurring fat-soluble nutrient that is essential for energy production. CoQ10 has potent antioxidant properties and cell membrane stabilizing effects that make it beneficial for egg and sperm quality, specifically sperm motility.

seems to be the safest supplement for egg quality.

dosage: 100-300 mg/day; 600 mg/day prior to IVF

5. Omega-3 Fatty Acid (EPA/DHA)

6. Antioxidants

Vitamin E: 200 IU
Vitamin C: 500 mg
alpha-lipoic acid
n-acetyl cysteine

7. vitamin D

at least 2,000 IU

has to be in an oil capsule for best absorption as it's a fat soluble vitamin https://naturalstacks.com/products/vitamin-d3

TCM

Articles:
https://www.pullingdownthemoon.com/...ure-and-chinese-herb-may-help-egg-qualit.aspx

signs that indirectly show poor egg quality: poor circulation, cold hands and feet, low energy, and feeling cold

trying to achieve: (i) increase blood flow to ovaries and uterus, (ii) reduce stress and increase sleep quality with acupuncture can benefit the autonomic system to balance the hormone, and better the quality of eggs


MEDS

- microdose HCG during IVF is said to improve egg quality in diminished reserve cases
- certain steroids during stims
- growth human hormone during stims

new things to research: GCSF.

 

[Briss]

p.s. By vitamin A I mean beta carotene form

 

[CaliDreaming]

Thanks so much for this! This makes everything much easier to understand. So from this, I think the main thing I need to be taking is the coq10 along with some sort of antioxidant blend. I'm hoping that the prenatal I'm taking will cover the folate and other stuff.