The Role of Antioxidants in Fertility: Supporting Egg Quality, Sperm Health & Progesterone Naturally

If you've been trying to conceive for a while, chances are you've heard antioxidants mentioned a lot — for egg quality, sperm health, implantation, progesterone, and pretty much everything in between. And while antioxidants absolutely matter, they're not magic pills. They're tools. And how, when, and why we use them is what actually determines whether they move the needle for fertility. In this episode of The Fertility Dietitian Podcast, I'm breaking down what oxidative stress really is, why reproductive cells are uniquely vulnerable to it, and how specific antioxidants like vitamin C, melatonin, NAC, and CoQ10 support egg quality, sperm health, progesterone production, and the uterine lining — when used strategically. This is about working with your biology, not throwing supplements at a problem and hoping for the best. "Antioxidants aren't magic pills — they're tools. And timing, dose, and context are what make them powerful for fertility." - Brooke Boskovich. In This Episode, You'll Learn:  Why oxidative stress impacts egg quality, sperm DNA, progesterone, and implantation How vitamin C supports the corpus luteum, progesterone production, and uterine lining health Why melatonin is one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — fertility antioxidants How NAC and glutathione support ovulation, sperm quality, and detox pathways Why CoQ10 is foundational for mitochondrial health, egg maturation, and sperm motility How antioxidants influence implantation, blood flow, and endometrial receptivity When food alone is enough — and when targeted supplementation makes sense Why more antioxidants aren't always better for fertility outcomes — Connect & Learn More: Support the show: Please leave me a comment or a review wherever you listen to this podcast Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4faTvVq Learn more about this episode: thefertilitydietitian.health Contact me: [email protected] Check out my Digital Store: thefertilitydietitian.health/shop Facebook: facebook.com/BrookeTheFertilityDietitian Instagram: instagram.com/the.fertility.dietitian YouTube: youtube.com/@TheFertilityDietitianPodcast