Japanese scientists have discovered a new vitamin that plays an important role in fertility in mice and may have a similar function in humans.
The Tokyo-based Institute of Physical and Chemical Research confirmed that pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a substance discovered in 1979, can be categorized as a vitamin.
Mice deprived of PQQ suffer reduced fertility and roughened fur. Vitamins that have an important effect on mice usually act in the same way in humans, the researchers said.
PQQ is the first new vitamin to be discovered since 1948. It is thought to belong the to B-vitamin group. Vitamins are defined as organic substances needed in small quantities for health and growth. They must be obtained from food because they cannot be produced by the body.
PQQ is not usually found in multi-vitamin tablets. The best source of PQQ discovered so far is "natto," a pungent Japanese dish of fermented soybeans. Other foods rich in PQQ are parsley, green tea, green peppers, kiwi fruit and papaya.
Source: Reuters Health News, March 24, 2003
Stacey's comment,
There is so much that we have not discovered in regards to fertility and there is new information that comes up all the time. But the one constant through it all is that nutrition can enhance your fertility. As long as you are absorbing nutrients appropriately a good diet of balanced low glycemic carbs, proteins and healthy fats is so important.
Instead of buying the supplements above make it your goal to increase the natural sources of PQQ in your diet. Natto is definitely an "acquired taste" but this wonderful vitamin can also be found in parsley, green tea, green peppers, kiwi fruit and papaya. So make sure you have these in your diet over the course of the week and as long as your digestion is good, you will be absorbing some powerful nutrients to improve your fertility.
