The 5 Things I’d Do to Improve Egg Quality
– From a Fertility Nutritionist
Jen Walpole is a BANT-registered fertility and pregnancy nutritionist who supports individuals and couples preparing for conception, spontaneously or through IVF.
Jennifer Walpole
1. I would support egg energy with CoQ10
CoQ10 is one of the most studied nutrients for egg quality. Higher CoQ10 levels have been linked to better-graded embryos, and supplementation has been associated with improved pregnancy and live birth rates in IVF.
CoQ10 supports the mitochondria, which provide the energy an egg needs to mature.
In practice
That is why I look for a pre-conception supplement that contains a well-absorbed form of CoQ10. OVUM’s Time to Conceive® For Women includes patented MicroActive® CoQ10, designed to be more bioavailable than standard forms.
2. I would follow a Mediterranean-style diet
This way of eating is linked to more embryos and higher pregnancy and live birth rates in ART.
Its mix of colourful plants, healthy fats and balanced blood sugar helps create the right environment for eggs to develop.
3. I would protect egg DNA with methylfolate
Folate supports DNA synthesis and methylation, both of which are essential for egg quality. It also helps keep homocysteine levels in check and acts as an antioxidant, protecting eggs from oxidative stress.
In practice
Time to Conceive® provides 800 mcg of methylfolate, the active form of folate the body can use directly.
4. I would use antioxidants to support egg quality
As eggs develop, they are exposed to oxidative stress that can damage DNA.
Nutrients such as alpha-lipoic acid, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E support follicle development, DNA repair and the formation of mature, good-quality eggs. These nutrients are often included in targeted pre-conception and ovulation support formulas to help cover nutritional gaps.
5. I would reduce everyday exposures
Pesticides, plastics, alcohol and very intense exercise have all been linked to poorer egg and embryo quality.
Lower toxin exposure, moderate movement and good recovery support healthier ovulation and egg development.
Supporting egg quality, naturally
Research is increasingly showing that egg quality is not something you are simply born with. It is something you can influence through what you eat, the nutrients you absorb and the environment your eggs are developing in.
A food-first approach, supported by the right nutrients and gentle, supportive lifestyle choices, gives your body the building blocks it needs to produce healthy, well-developed eggs.
This is the foundation I focus on with every patient, whether they are trying to conceive naturally or through IVF.
Time to Conceive® For Women
A fertility-focused pre-conception supplement with 11 key nutrients, formulated to support how eggs develop, mature and protect their DNA.
What you get in every daily dose:
Methylfolate (active folate)
Patented MicroActive® CoQ10
Optimised antioxidant blend