According to research reviewed by Gram, a Pro-Fertility Diet plus omega-3 supplements for 8 weeks before IVF led to more fertilized eggs. In a 2026 randomized trial of 167 women in Iran, the group had 38% more zygotes and nearly twice the odds of fertilization, though the trial was exploratory.
Fertility treatment success depends partly on how well eggs develop and fertilize. According to research reviewed by Gram, a team in Iran tested whether an eight-week eating plan combined with omega-3 supplements could help. The plan, called the Pro-Fertility Diet, emphasizes whole foods and nutrients linked to reproductive health. In this randomized trial of 167 women preparing for IVF, those who followed the plan had more fertilized eggs than women who received standard dietary advice. The increase in fertilized eggs held up after the researchers corrected for the many comparisons they made. However, the study was an exploratory secondary analysis, so the results are promising but not yet proof. Larger trials will be needed to confirm whether this approach truly improves IVF outcomes.
Key Statistics
A 2026 randomized controlled trial of 167 women undergoing IVF in Iran found that eight weeks of a Pro-Fertility Diet plus omega-3 supplements was associated with 38% more two-pronuclear zygotes than standard dietary advice (adjusted IRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.61).
In the same 2026 trial, women following the Pro-Fertility Diet plus omega-3 supplements had 1.92 times the odds of egg fertilization compared with the control group (95% CI 1.41 to 2.63), while the increase in mature eggs did not remain statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Researchers wanted to know whether eating a special nutrition-focused diet plus omega-3 fish oil supplements for eight weeks before IVF changes how eggs develop and fertilize.
- Who participated: 167 women aged 18 to 42 who were seeking help with infertility at a fertility clinic in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were split into two similar groups, with 84 following the special diet and 83 receiving standard dietary advice.
- Key finding: Women on the special diet had about 38% more two-pronuclear zygotes, which are early embryos that show successful fertilization. Their odds of fertilization were nearly twice as high as the comparison group. The egg count increase was less certain, and the difference in mature eggs did not stay statistically significant after statistical correction.
- What it means for you: The results suggest that a nutrition plan with omega-3s may support egg fertilization during IVF. Because this was a single exploratory analysis, anyone undergoing fertility treatment should talk with their fertility specialist before making major diet or supplement changes.
The Research Details
This was a randomized controlled trial, meaning participants were placed into groups by chance rather than by their own choice. One group followed the Pro-Fertility Diet along with omega-3 supplements for eight weeks before starting IVF or a related procedure called ICSI. The other group received standard dietary advice. Groups were balanced by age and body mass index, which is a measure of body weight relative to height, so the two groups started out fairly similar.
The people who measured the outcomes did not know which group each woman belonged to. This single-blind approach helps reduce bias in how results are recorded. The researchers focused on egg-related measures, including the number of follicles visible on ultrasound, the number of egg-containing structures collected, the number of mature eggs, and the number of fertilized eggs. Statistical methods were chosen to fit count data and fertilization rates.
This report covers secondary outcomes, which were planned in advance but are not the main goal of the trial. The team also used a complete-case approach, meaning they analyzed only women with full data, which is 167 of the 180 women who were enrolled.
A randomized design is one of the strongest ways to test whether a treatment causes a change, because random assignment spreads out other factors that could explain the results. This helps separate the effect of the diet from effects of age, weight, or lifestyle. Measuring several egg-related outcomes in the same trial also gives a fuller picture of how the intervention may influence the IVF process.
Because the trial was designed to report these outcomes in advance, the findings are less likely to be the result of choosing favorable numbers after the fact. Still, these particular outcomes were secondary, so they serve as a guide for future research rather than a definitive answer.
The trial is registered in a public database, which makes it more transparent. The random assignment and blinded outcome assessment are strengths. The sample of 167 analyzed women is modest, and the study was not designed primarily to detect these specific egg outcomes, so the results are considered exploratory. The authors state that larger trials with more statistical power are needed. The journal is a peer-reviewed publication, though it is not among the most widely cited journals in medicine.
What the Results Show
The most consistent result was the number of two-pronuclear zygotes, which are early embryos showing that an egg has been fertilized by a sperm. Women on the Pro-Fertility Diet had about 38% more of these structures than women who received standard advice (adjusted incidence rate ratio of 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 1.61). This difference remained statistically significant even after the researchers corrected for the fact that they examined several outcomes at once.
Fertilization rate, measured as the share of mature eggs that successfully fertilized, also appeared higher in the diet group. The odds of fertilization were 1.92 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.41 to 2.63), which means fertilization was substantially more likely among women who followed the plan. This is a meaningful signal, although the exact size of the effect in real-world IVF cycles remains uncertain.
The number of mature eggs, called metaphase II oocytes, was also higher in the diet group in the first analysis (adjusted ratio of 1.16). However, after correcting for multiple comparisons, this difference no longer reached statistical significance. This means it could have occurred by chance, so it should be viewed as a possible trend rather than a confirmed result.
The researchers found no meaningful differences in the number of follicles seen on ultrasound or in the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes, which are the cell clusters surrounding eggs. These measures appeared similar between the two groups.
The study focused on egg-related outcomes, so the most important secondary findings are the null results. Follicle counts and the number of egg-surrounding cell clusters did not differ between groups, which suggests the diet did not clearly change how many eggs were available to collect. This is useful information, because it narrows down where any benefit may come from. It points toward the later stages of egg maturation and fertilization rather than the early stages of egg development.
Earlier research has explored whether dietary patterns and nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids may influence fertility, and many studies have linked healthy eating habits to better egg and embryo quality. However, most of this earlier work came from observational studies, which can show associations but cannot prove that the diet caused the change. This randomized trial adds more direct evidence that a combined nutrition approach may influence fertilization in women undergoing IVF. Its results are consistent with the general idea that nutrition plays a role in reproductive health.
The most important limitation is that this was a secondary analysis with an exploratory purpose, so the findings should be treated as preliminary. The study included only 167 women, which is too few to detect smaller effects reliably and too few to be fully confident in the results. Some participants were excluded because outcome data were missing, which could slightly change the results. The study took place at a single fertility center in one country, so results may not apply equally to all populations. Finally, the study was not designed to show whether the diet improves pregnancy rates or live births, so it cannot answer those questions.
The Bottom Line
Research shows that an eight-week Pro-Fertility Diet combined with omega-3 supplements was linked to more fertilized eggs in this trial, and that finding held up after statistical correction. Confidence in this result is moderate, since it comes from one exploratory analysis. Confidence that the diet improves live birth rates is currently low, because those outcomes were not measured here. Anyone considering these changes should discuss them with their fertility care team first.
This research is most relevant to women preparing for IVF or ICSI who are looking for ways to support their treatment through nutrition. Partners and fertility clinicians may also find it useful. People who are not planning fertility treatment, or who have medical conditions that affect how they process fats or supplements, should speak with a healthcare provider before changing their diet or taking omega-3 supplements. Women who are pregnant or taking blood-thinning medications should be especially careful.
In this study, the diet was followed for eight weeks before IVF began. Changes in egg development and fertilization were measured during the treatment cycle that followed. Results will vary from person to person, and nutrition is only one factor among many in IVF success. Any effects on pregnancy or live birth would require further research to confirm, and people should not expect guaranteed improvements from diet alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a special diet improve egg fertilization during IVF?
A randomized trial of 167 women found that eight weeks of a Pro-Fertility Diet plus omega-3 supplements was associated with higher fertilization odds, about 1.92 times the control group. The study was exploratory, so results should be confirmed by larger trials before drawing firm conclusions.
What is the Pro-Fertility Diet used in this IVF study?
The Pro-Fertility Diet is a nutrition plan designed to support reproductive health through whole foods and nutrients linked to fertility. In the study, women followed it for eight weeks before IVF or ICSI, alongside omega-3 supplements, and were compared against women given standard dietary advice.
Do omega-3 supplements help with fertility treatment?
This study tested omega-3 supplements together with a special diet, so the effect of omega-3s alone cannot be separated out. The combined approach was linked to more two-pronuclear zygotes, about 38% higher. Anyone considering supplements should consult their fertility specialist first.
Does this diet increase the chance of a live birth after IVF?
This trial did not measure pregnancy or live birth rates, so it cannot answer that question. It focused on egg development and fertilization. Researchers say adequately powered randomized trials are needed before any claims about live births or pregnancy success can be made.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log daily servings of key foods from the Pro-Fertility Diet, such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fish, along with the date and omega-3 supplement doses taken. Aim to record at least 80% of days over the eight-week planning period so you can see how consistently the plan was followed.
- Set a weekly goal to add one new meal built around the diet guidelines, such as a salmon dinner or a bean-based lunch, and use the app to check off each completed meal. Pair the habit with a daily reminder to take your omega-3 supplement at the same time each day.
- Keep a simple monthly log of diet adherence, supplement use, and any questions to raise with your fertility team. Share the summary before each appointment so your clinician can review your progress and recommend adjustments based on your individual health needs.
This article summarizes an exploratory secondary analysis of a single clinical trial and is for general information only. It is not medical advice. Diet and supplement changes can affect people differently, especially during fertility treatment, pregnancy, or when taking medications. Please consult your fertility specialist, doctor, or a registered dietitian before making changes to your diet or supplement routine.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.