Fertility and food: can your diet really help you get pregnant?

At the 2025 SIRU Congress, experts explore how nutrition supports both natural and assisted conception in autoimmune patients

The key role of pre-conception nutrition

Female fertility is affected by many factors, and one of the most overlooked is nutrition, especially in the presence of autoimmune diseases. At the National Congress of SIRU (Italian Society of Human Reproduction), held in Verona, experts highlighted the powerful link between immune response, inflammation, and diet in fertility treatments.

Autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, celiac disease, lupus, and multiple sclerosis can impair ovulation, egg quality, and embryo implantation, reducing the chances of pregnancy.

Diet as an immune and inflammatory modulator

According to Dr. Veronica Corsetti (CNR and SIRU), nutrition is more than just support – it’s a therapeutic tool. A customized anti-inflammatory diet, low in sugar and rich in micronutrients and omega-3s, enhances hormonal health and uterine receptivity, especially in coagulopathies and autoimmune infertility.

Vitamins B, D, and antioxidants are essential for egg maturation and preventing miscarriages.

Mediterranean diet and fertility: the evidence

Multiple studies confirm that adherence to the Mediterranean diet increases pregnancy chances by up to 40% after IVF. Among women under 35, following a high-quality diet for six months tripled success rates.

Whole grains, thanks to their antioxidant and lignan content, enhance endometrial thickness and receptivity.

Ketogenic diet: a game changer for PCOS and obesity

The ketogenic diet, by minimizing carbs and emphasizing healthy fats, proves beneficial for women with PCOS, insulin resistance, or obesity. It supports ovulation, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces testosterone levels.

In clinical trials, obese women on a low-carb diet for 12 weeks had a 48% pregnancy rate (compared to 14% in controls), with more live births recorded, even in poor responders.

Integrating nutrition into ART protocols

As Dr. Antonino Guglielmino stated: “Pre-conception nutrition must become a standard. It’s a customizable therapeutic lever that works alongside hormonal treatments, especially in idiopathic infertility or repeated failures.”

The future of reproductive medicine lies in predictive, integrative care, where what’s on your plate is as crucial as the lab.