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As many as 48 million women worldwide experience infertility. Although many factors influence fertility, an abundance of evidence suggests that nutrition is a key player. Findings from a recent study suggest that women who take omega-3 fatty acids are 1.5 times more likely to conceive than those who do not.

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that play critical roles in human health throughout the lifespan. Higher intake of omega-3s is associated with a reduced risk of many diseases, and some evidence indicates that these fatty acids play important roles in both male and female fertility.

The study involved more than 900 women between the ages of 30 and 44 years who were enrolled in the Time to Conceive study and had no history of infertility. Investigators collected information about the women’s menstrual cycles and supplement and medication use.

They found that women who took omega-3 supplements were 1.5 times more likely to conceive than those who did not take them. The authors noted that because this was not a randomized, controlled trial, the women who took omega-3s might represent a more health-conscious group. However, the findings held true even after considering other factors that influence fertility, including age, obesity, race, having a previous pregnancy, and intake of vitamin D, prenatal vitamins, and multivitamins.

These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids positively influence female fertility. [Learn more about the health benefits omega-3s in our overview article.](LINK)

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