Why It Matters
Patients frequently ask whether what they eat and how they live can influence the outcome of an IVF cycle. The evidence indicates that it can — not dramatically, and not in place of medical treatment, but meaningfully enough to warrant attention. Eggs take approximately ninety days to mature from the primordial follicle stage, and sperm production takes about seventy-four days. This means that changes made three months before a cycle have time to exert an effect.
It is equally important to set realistic expectations. No diet will reverse diminished ovarian reserve or restore blocked tubes. The goal of nutritional and lifestyle optimisation is to remove obstacles and create the best possible physiological environment, not to substitute for clinical care.
Dietary Patterns
The strongest evidence supports a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern rather than any individual food or supplement. This means abundant vegetables and fruit, whole grains, legumes, fish, olive oil as the principal fat, nuts, and limited red and processed meat. Observational studies in IVF populations have associated closer adherence to this pattern with higher pregnancy rates, particularly in women under 35.
Practical priorities include choosing complex carbohydrates over refined ones to moderate blood glucose and insulin, ensuring adequate protein intake from fish, poultry, legumes, and dairy, and including sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, and walnuts. Reducing highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and trans fats is consistently associated with better reproductive outcomes.
Supplements Worth Considering
Folic acid at 400 micrograms daily is essential for all women attempting conception, beginning at least one month — ideally three — before conception, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. A higher dose may be indicated in specific circumstances on medical advice.
Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the Gulf region despite abundant sunshine, largely due to indoor lifestyles and clothing practices. Levels should be tested and corrected, as deficiency has been associated with lower implantation rates in several studies. Iodine, vitamin B12, and iron status should also be reviewed, particularly in women following restrictive diets.
Antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, inositol, and omega-3 supplements are commonly prescribed, and there is reasonable mechanistic rationale for their use in specific groups — coenzyme Q10 in women with diminished ovarian reserve, inositol in women with PCOS. However, patients should not self-prescribe. Supplements should be discussed with the treating physician, as some interact with medications and very high doses of certain antioxidants may be counterproductive.
Weight, Activity, and Sleep
Body mass index influences IVF outcomes in both directions. Obesity is associated with reduced oocyte quality, higher gonadotrophin requirements, lower implantation rates, and increased obstetric risk. Being significantly underweight impairs ovulation and is likewise associated with poorer outcomes. Where weight loss is indicated, a gradual approach of five to ten per cent achieved before starting treatment is more beneficial than aggressive dieting during a cycle.
Moderate exercise — around 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week — supports insulin sensitivity, weight management, and psychological wellbeing. Very high-intensity or excessive endurance training may suppress ovulation and should be moderated. During ovarian stimulation and after embryo transfer, high-impact activity and heavy lifting should be avoided because of the risk of ovarian torsion in enlarged ovaries.
Sleep of seven to eight hours nightly supports the hormonal rhythms that govern reproduction. Chronic sleep restriction and irregular shift patterns are associated with menstrual disturbance and reduced fertility.
What to Avoid
Smoking, including shisha and vaping, is the single most damaging modifiable factor. It accelerates the loss of ovarian reserve, reduces egg and sperm quality, and lowers live birth rates substantially. Complete cessation by both partners is strongly advised.
Alcohol should be avoided entirely when attempting conception. Caffeine should be limited to approximately 200 milligrams daily, roughly two cups of coffee. Exposure to environmental toxins, including bisphenol A from certain plastics and pesticide residues, should be minimised through simple measures such as washing produce thoroughly and avoiding heating food in plastic containers.
Managing Stress
Stress does not cause infertility, and patients should not be burdened with the notion that anxiety is preventing their pregnancy. Nevertheless, the treatment process is demanding, and high distress levels are associated with cycle discontinuation. Mindfulness practice, counselling, peer support, and light exercise all have evidence supporting their benefit for wellbeing during treatment.
At New Hope IVF Hospital, Sharjah, patients receive individualised preconception guidance covering nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle, integrated into their overall treatment plan from the first consultation onward.