Antioxidant Supplements May Not Help Potential Mothers Conceive

A new study shows that taking antioxidants will not necessarily increase a woman's chances trying to get pregnant. 

According to a recent study, researchers analyzed data from 28 clinical trials that included a toal of 3,548 women who attended fertility clinics. During this time, the women took antioxidant supplements but showed no greater signs that they would be able to conceive than those who received an inactive placebo in the control group.

"There is no evidence in this review that suggests taking an antioxidant is beneficial for women who are trying to conceive," lead researcher Marian Showell, who works in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, said via a press release.

The researchers also found that limited information regarding certain fertilities drugs could carry potential dangers that are often associated with taking antioxidant supplements, some that could even result in miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. However, the study notes that only 14 of the 28 trials looked at harmful effects. In general, they note that there was no greater risk for those taking a placebo or standard treatment.

"We could not assess whether one antioxidant was better than another," Showell said.

The study also concludes with the following: "Antioxidants were not associated with an increased live birth rate or clinical pregnancy rate. Variation in the types of antioxidants given meant that we could not assess whether one antioxidant was better than another. There did not appear to be any association of antioxidants with adverse effects for women, but data for these outcomes were limited." 

More information regarding the study can be found in The Cochrane Library.