Specialty Nutraceuticals and Fertility

Why specialty nutraceuticals?

While there is still some skepticism about specialty nutraceuticals, a growing body of evidence suggests that, as well as being far less costly than traditional fertility drugs and treatments, they may also be—in some instances—more effective.

To learn more, check out the Dietary Supplements Guidance Documents and Regulatory Information page on the FDA’s website.

CortControl’s specialty nutraceuticals

At CortControl, for example, we have a specialty nutraceutical called Glutrasol and Transfer Factor Ultra. For more than 20 years, veterinarians have prescribed many of its essential compounds to treat diseases and conditions in mammals, and the success of these treatments is well-documented and quite dramatic. In some cases, for example, fertility in cattle increased by more than 70%.  

Why are we confident our supplements will make a difference in humans?

The answer is in science. All mammals, humans included, have essentially the exact cortisol production mechanism, and when the body produces too much cortisol, the chances of becoming infertile can increase in some instances.

Controlling cortisol production

Designed to control high cortisol production levels, Glutrasol and Transfer Factor Ultra—much like the compounds veterinarians have prescribed to cattle for years to increase fertility—should (and we believe will) have a similar effect on humans.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that can affect fertility in both men and women. 

When women are stressed, the brain produces cortisol, which can disrupt the ovaries’ function and the release of eggs.

• Hormonal balance: Cortisol can disrupt the hormonal balance needed to mature eggs. It can also decrease estradiol, which can damage egg quality.
• Ovulation: Cortisol can disrupt signaling between the brain and ovaries, delaying or preventing ovulation.
• Menstrual cycle: High levels of cortisol and prolactin can impair the menstrual cycle.
• Blood flow: Cortisol can reduce blood flow to reproductive organs, like the ovaries.

Cortisol can also suppress reproductive hormones, leading to abnormal ovulation, anovulation, and amenorrhea.

• Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg that can be fertilized by sperm, potentially leading to pregnancy.
• Anovulation, also known as an anovulatory cycle, is a medical condition that occurs when an egg is not released from the ovaries during a menstrual cycle.
• Amenorrhea is when a woman who usually menstruates doesn’t have a period for three months or more if she’s had regular cycles or six months or more if she’s had at least one spontaneous period before.

The stress hormone cortisol affects fertility in men. 

Cortisol can impact sperm production and motility in men. FSH, which is secreted by the anterior pituitary in response to GnRH, stimulates sperm production. 

• In men, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) helps control the amount of sperm that the testicles (testes) make and affects the health of the sperm.
• The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) causes the testicles to produce testosterone.

Stress can also lead to behavioral changes that can impact fertility, such as decreased sex drive and motivation. While occasional stress may not affect fertility, chronic stress can lead to hormone imbalances that make it difficult to conceive.

What is the role of nutraceuticals in fertility?

Currently, nutraceuticals are a common and popular way to mitigate the male fertility issues of pre-testicular, testicular, and post-testicular etiologies.

• Pre-testicular etiologies, also known as extra-gonadal endocrine disorders, are fertility issues that originate outside the reproductive system and prevent the testes from receiving adequate support. These disorders can affect spermatogenesis and originate in the hypothalamus, pituitary, or adrenals.
• Testicular etiologies may derive from varicocele-induced testicular damage, undescended testes, testicular torsion, mumps orchitis, gonadotoxic effects from medications (including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical resection), genetic abnormalities, and idiopathic causes (any disease that is of uncertain or unknown origin may be termed idiopathic).
• Post-testicular etiologies are causes of infertility that occur after the testes and primarily involve obstructions in the ducts that lead away from the testes. These obstructions can occur anywhere in the male reproductive tract.

Nutraceuticals possess multi-nutritional factors that improve metabolic activity, regulating hormonal profile and sperm production.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in fertility.

If you continuously supply your body with supplements, they can impact your metabolism, hormones, and entire endocrine system, which regulates fertility.

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and taking the proper supplements can improve fertility for both men and women.

It is worth a close look

We are not claiming that specialty nutraceuticals such as Glutrasol and Transfer Factor Ultra are silver bullets. We are saying, however, that they offer promise in supporting fertility for a relatively low cost AND that they are worth considering as part of a comprehensive fertility support strategy—one that will ultimately enable more people to take advantage of infertility treatments.