Supporting IVF Success Through Nutrition
IVF can feel overwhelming — physically, emotionally, and mentally.
While you can’t control everything, there are practical ways to support your body during this journey.Fresh from maternity leave, Clinical Nutritionist Brodie Heath returns to practice with renewed insight and a deepened appreciation for fertility health. Based in Perth, Brodie works closely alongside the acupuncturists at Wellness Zone, offering women a collaborative, whole-body approach to IVF support.
In this blog, Brodie explores how targeted nutrition, personalised supplementation, and integrated care can help support egg quality, implantation, and overall IVF outcomes — while also supporting you as a whole person, not just a patient.
Brodie brings together clinical expertise and lived experience in her fertility work.
“Going through my own pregnancy journey has only deepened my appreciation for how important nutrition is during the preconception period,” Brodie shares. “You wouldn’t run a marathon without preparation — and the same applies when preparing the body for pregnancy.”
Why Nutrition Matters in IVF
IVF places significant demands on the body. Supporting foundational health through nutrition can help create an internal environment that is more receptive to treatment.
Nutrition plays a supportive role in IVF by helping to:
Support egg quality: Nutrient availability influences oocyte development and early embryo health
Support uterine lining and implantation: Nutrition affects blood flow, inflammation, and endometrial receptivity
Support hormone balance: Including oestrogen, progesterone, insulin, and thyroid hormones
Support energy, resilience, and recovery: IVF is intensive — nourishment matters
While nutrition is not a guarantee, it is a powerful way to support your body through each stage of treatment.
When to Start Nutrition Support Before IVF?
Ideally, 3–6 months before your IVF cycle (if not earlier). It takes around 100 days for an egg to mature, meaning the nutrition and lifestyle choices made during this window can influence the eggs used in treatment.
That said — it’s never too late to support your body, even if IVF is starting soon.
Micronutrients That Support Egg Quality
Certain nutrients play key roles in egg development, hormone regulation, and antioxidant protection:
· Selenium: Brazil nuts, sardines, sunflower seeds, seafood, mushrooms
· Iodine: Seaweed, oysters, iodised salt
· Choline: Eggs, liver, beef, broccoli, cauliflower
· Folate (food-based): Dark leafy greens, liver, lentils, asparagus, broccoli
· Vitamin B12: Sardines, mackerel, beef, lamb, eggs
· Zinc: Oysters, beef, lamb, pumpkin seeds, lentils
These nutrients work best as part of a balanced, whole-foods approach rather than in isolation.
What to Eat During IVF Prep
IVF nutrition is not about perfection or restriction. Instead, the goal is to consistently nourish your body with nutrient-dense foods.
A Mediterranean-style approach often works well for fertility, as it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, and supportive of hormonal health.
Brodie’s Fertility-Supportive Plate
Adequate protein to support hormone production and egg development:
Fish, chicken, lean meat, eggs, legumes, tofu and tempehHealthy fats to support hormonal balance and cell health:
Extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds, avocado, fatty fish, dairy and/or coconut yoghurtComplex carbohydrates to support ovulation and blood sugar stability:
Starchy vegetables, quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, rolled oats and milletEat a rainbow to support antioxidant and cellular health:
Dark leafy greens, beetroot, eggplant, carrots, purple cabbage, berries, pomegranate, kiwi fruit, papaya, onion and garlic — all rich in phytonutrients and polyphenols that support reproductive health
Supplements That Can Support IVF Outcomes
Supplementation should always be personalised. Brodie uses blood work, functional testing, and a detailed health history before recommending supplements.
Some commonly used supplements in IVF care include:
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol): Supports mitochondrial energy production within the egg and may support oocyte maturation and early embryo development, particularly in women with reduced ovarian reserve.
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA): Supports a healthy inflammatory response and cell membrane integrity, contributing to a supportive ovarian and uterine environment.
Vitamin D: Plays a role in implantation, immune regulation, and hormone signalling throughout the conception process.
Folate (not folic acid): Supports DNA synthesis, methylation, and healthy homocysteine levels — all important for egg quality and early embryo development.
Myo-Inositol (men & women): Supports insulin sensitivity, which may positively influence egg and sperm quality.
Working Hand-in-Hand With Wellness Zone Acupuncture
IVF isn’t only about medical interventions — it’s about providing holistic care for your body and mind.
That’s why Brodie collaborates with Wellness Zone Acupuncture, a leading Perth-based clinic specialising in fertility care.
Why combine nutrition with acupuncture?
Supports blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
Helps regulate stress hormones such as cortisol
May support implantation outcomes
Provides emotional and nervous system support during IVF cycles
Perth-Based Support Tailored to You
If you’re in Perth and navigating IVF, working with a local team that understands your environment, lifestyle, and emotional needs can be a game-changer.
With Lept Nutrition and Wellness Zone Warwick, women in Perth have access to:
Individualized fertility nutrition plans
Supplement protocols backed by science
Collaborative care between nutrition, TCM and acupuncture
Support through every stage — from egg retrieval to transfer to early pregnancy
