New study published in the journal ‘Nutrients’
There is a mutual association between nutrition and fertility, especially for women. But, despite more and more scientific evidence demonstrating the role of nutrition in human reproduction, the different ‘pro-fertility’ dietary models studied so far have yielded weak or conflicting results. Probably, due to the physiological characteristics (which depend on the genome, proteome, metabolome and microbiome) and the different environmental conditions to which we are all exposed. A new study led by the B-Woman Center in Rome now shines the spotlight on the role of ‘precision nutrition’ against infertility, i.e. personalized dietary models based on these characteristics, could be a much more tool efficient for infertile patients, compared to the application of a generic nutritional approach.
In this review, co-signed with authors from the universities of L’Aquila and Chieti-Pescara, as well as from GeneraLife, “we report new insights into the nutritional management of infertile patients, discussing the main nutrigenetic, nutrigenomic and microbiomal aspects that should be studied to develop an effective personalized diet. Specifically, what must be ‘targeted’ through the right diet is chronic low-grade inflammation, an important element associated with various infertility-related diseases “, explains Gemma Fabozzi, first author of the work, clinical embryologist and nutrition biologist, responsible for the Nutrition area of the B-Woman center.
“Healthy lifestyle habits and an adequate diet – adds Fabozzi – help in conception. However, a specific ‘fertility diet’ has not yet been identified, which will probably never exist, given that each person is a unique individual, with different characteristics. In line with the concept of personalized medicine, nutritional support for the patient with infertility problems must therefore be adapted to the singularity of each woman or man, aiming at ‘precision nutrition’ “. “In particular – highlights Giulia Verdone, dietician expert in nutrigenetics and oncological nutrition at the B-Woman center – specific attention should be paid to the genetic profile of the patients, which is the element that differentiates us from each other and explains why a certain dietary regimen may work on one patient but have no effect on another. “
“Personalized nutrition is a tool to preserve health, rather than to cure a disease – comments Danilo Cimadomo, Science and Research manager of GeneraLife group – infertility is a social problem and an emerging priority for public health: we think it is a change in mentality is necessary and that a healthier and more personalized diet must always be suggested at a young age and continued throughout life in order to prevent infertility rather than cure it “.
