Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring antioxidant produced by the body and found in small amounts in various foods. It plays essential roles in cellular energy production and protection against oxidative damage. CoQ10 is available as a supplement in forms including…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis plants. CBD products include oils, tinctures, capsules, topicals, and CBD-infused foods and beverages. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t cause intoxication but may have various physiological effects including anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties. For individuals…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Evening primrose oil (EPO) is extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose plant (Oenothera biennis) and contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. It’s commonly used for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, menopause, eczema, and other inflammatory conditions. For individuals trying…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Garcinia cambogia (also known as Malabar tamarind) is a tropical fruit whose rind contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a compound marketed primarily for weight loss and appetite suppression. HCA is thought to work by inhibiting citrate lyase, an enzyme involved in fat synthesis,…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species, and extracts from its leaves contain various bioactive compounds including flavonoid glycosides (primarily quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin), terpene lactones (ginkgolides and bilobalide), and organic acids. These compounds have documented effects on blood…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Forskolin is a labdane diterpene extracted from the roots of Coleus forskohlii (also called Plectranthus barbatus), a plant in the mint family. It activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in cells, influencing various physiological processes including…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract is derived from the leaves of the artichoke plant and contains various bioactive compounds including cynarin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and other flavonoids and phenolic acids. It is commonly used for digestive support, cholesterol management, and liver health due…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Bitter melon (Momordica charantia, also known as bitter gourd or karela) is a tropical vine fruit used both as a food and a medicinal herb in many cultural traditions, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. It contains various bioactive compounds including…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Astaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment with potent antioxidant properties that occurs naturally in certain algae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill, shrimp, and crayfish. It gives many seafoods their distinctive pinkish-red color. As a supplement, astaxanthin is primarily marketed for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Safe Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Choline is an essential nutrient that functions as a component of cell membranes, in neurotransmitter synthesis, lipid transport, and methyl group metabolism. Though the body can produce small amounts of choline in the liver, dietary intake is necessary to meet physiological requirements.…