Meet Choline, the Critical Nutrient Your Prenatal Vitamin is Probably Missing

Science tells us that dad’s sperm determines whether a baby will be a boy or a girl. About half of his sperm will make a boy and half a girl. The sex of the baby depends on which sperm gets to the egg first. A number of studies have suggested that factors like nutrition and how the parents live can affect the odds of having a boy or a girl.  

Between responsibilities at home and at work, commitments that just keep piling up, and a mile-long to-do list, sex may be on your mind, but only in a vague, wouldn’t-that-be-nice kind of way. It's normal! But men hoping to become fathers might be stressing that a waning sex drive is signaling a problem with their fertility (spoiler: not necessarily). Still, it’s true that a man’s fertility and his libido are linked, so let’s hop into all the details, including 4 ways to rev up that sex drive.

Medical science tells it like it is–a man’s health and his fertility are undeniably linked. But what role do genetics play in the fertility factor? It's a good question! In today's post, we're taking a deep dive into exactly how genetics affect male fertility.

Time and time again, men are an afterthought in the fertility conversation, and it’s setting couples up to fail. In light of recent research confirming–again–that sperm counts around the world are indeed declining, Beli wants to lead the charge. Join us, and let’s make March men’s fertility awareness month.

Knowing all the facts about sperm doesn’t just make you positively lethal on trivia night, it actually puts you in prime position to optimize your chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy and baby. So let’s get to it, with these 10 facts about sperm that will (probably) blow your mind.

Research is clear that adequate amounts of specific nutrients–folate and choline chief among them–play a significant role in helping to prevent major birth defects in the developing spine and brain. Of course, it’s not the nutrients alone that are important, but the forms and amounts they take. So let's get into specifics, shall we?

When it comes to becoming parents, good habits really will take you where you want to go. Here, we’re outlining all the ways you can build healthy habits to boost your chances of conception. Think of it as life-hacking, but for grown-ups.

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Special thanks to Carly Hartwig, holistic reproductive health advocate and fertility awareness educator through CLWC, for her top 5 tips to clean up your lifestyle when trying for a baby.

Somewhere between the “let’s have a baby!” conversation and seeing those two pink lines, you’re going to end up researching prenatal vitamins. And trust us when we say you’re going to have a ton of options to wade through. Consider this your handy guide to the best prenatal vitamins for men and women in 2023.

Beli for Women has all the current nutrient recommendations for prenatal vitamins, including choline, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and iodine. All the right ingredients, in all the right amounts. But it does beg the question, how exactly does Beli fit everything into just three capsules?

Getting your ducks in a row at least three months before you hope to conceive can help nourish your fertility in preparation of everything to come. That’s where a high-quality prenatal vitamin for you both comes in. Our guide walks you through all the behind-the-scenes benefits during your first three months on Beli.

The second you start looking into fertility testing, the acronyms are everywhere. Chief among them is AMH, or anti-müllerian hormone. Here’s what to understand about your AMH level and what it means for your chances of becoming pregnant.

Dr. Taylor Wallace calls choline the “under-consumed and under-appreciated essential nutrient.” He’s right–in spite of its importance, choline is worryingly absent in so many mainstream prenatal vitamin formulas. We sat down with Dr. Wallace for a rundown on choline and why it’s so critical for pregnant and nursing moms, plus how to be sure you and your baby are getting enough.

A surprising amount of research is drawing a link between sports supplements and male fertility – and it’s raising some eyebrows.

For couples trying to conceive, it’s just as important that men do what they can to optimize their fertility. We spoke with Dr. Darren Bryk, andrology/male infertility fellow at the University of Virginia, for his top three reasons to swap the multivitamin for a men’s prenatal.

Experts recommend a handful of fertility-boosting tips, and minimizing environmental toxins is invariably on the list. Get started with these five easy swaps for a fertility-friendly home environment.

Fun fact – chemical-based preferences that steer women toward specific men appear to play out between the human egg and sperm, with the egg “choosing” which sperm will be the lucky winner in the race to fertilization. Spoiler – the higher quality the sperm, the better the odds of a successful journey and conception.

Research shows that the overall health of both biological parents during the preconception window plays a huge role in everything from conception to pregnancy health to the lifetime health of their baby. Luckily, there are simple steps you can both take to improve your health together.

Fertility nutrition is absolutely in your control, so yes, men should take prenatal vitamins if they're trying to have a baby. But if you’re not entirely sold just yet, let’s see what else the science says.

It’s resolution-making time, and a lot of folks have babies on the brain. We got you! We double checked with the experts for the best ways to support and promote fertility for the very best chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and bouncing baby.

For couples hoping to conceive, a man’s health is just as important as a woman’s. But can (and should) men take women’s prenatal vitamins? Nope, and here’s why.

Special thanks to Becca, a fertility dietitian at Little Life Nutrition, for today's post! Becca is passionate about helping moms and dads-to-be uncover the root cause of fertility challenges, using nutrition, lifestyle, and functional lab testing to optimize her clients' chance of getting pregnant — a true "no-stone-left-unturned" approach. Here, she shares five ways to boost fertility naturally.

Most births occur between June and early November. Count back nine months, and you’ll see that places most conceptions in the fall and winter. So what’s the deal? Is it the cold weather. all the festivities, or something else driving us between the sheets? That ugly sweater is pretty cute, but you can chalk this up to reproductive seasonality. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and what to do to use it to your advantage.

Shopping for prenatal vitamins is like shopping for anything these days — there are roughly one zillion choices out there. But unlike everyday, low-stakes buying decisions, like grande or venti, one pump or two, choosing a prenatal vitamin actually means something. Here’s why Beli should be your first choice of prenatal vitamins.

For those who are new to the TTC/pregnancy game, you may be wondering what exactly you can or should be doing so those two pink lines make their exciting debut. We checked with Dr. Steve Rad about the top six TTC/pregnancy questions for first-time parents-to-be.

Any idea exactly how your prenatal vitamin is helping you, him, and baby on this wild procreation ride? Read on for a breakdown of all the benefits of prenatal vitamins for you and your baby from preconception to postpartum.

Environmental stressors, diet, and our modern lifestyles are a triple threat to men’s fertility, wreaking havoc on sperm DNA. The good news is that there are simple things you can do to combat those threats and actually increase testosterone levels, sperm count, and sperm motility, which means a greater chance of conception.

Making the decision to have a baby is an emotional roller coaster – and we aren’t just talking about the hormones. Both hopeful parents-to-be experience this individually, and both the carrying and non-carrying sides of the equation have their own set of emotions. It brings up an unexpected benefit of men’s prenatal vitamins – for both partners.

Beli's Vitality blend – a combination of six key ingredients – continues to set our men's prenatal well apart, even as prenatal vitamins for men become more mainstream. If you’re looking for a prenatal vitamin to support male fertility, Beli Vitality for Men has exactly what you need.

Anyone looking to boost fertility has hormones on the brain. And that makes sense. These chemical messengers regulate various systems and bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, temperature regulation, and yes, fertility. If you suspect your system is a little out of whack and you’re planning for a baby, here’s what it means to balance your hormones for fertility.

Recent studies have shown that optimal nutrition can improve egg quality. Fueling for fertility with nutrients that support egg quality can help raise your chances of getting pregnant faster and delivering a healthy baby.

It’s an interesting truth that many people trying so hard to conceive are willing to try just about anything – special herbs and teas, medications, you name it – but have often jumped straight past the fundamentals of plain ol’ good health. In the interest of keeping things simple, we’re sharing the five pillars of fertility.

Preconception care should begin way before you’re shopping for pregnancy tests, because maximizing your health at least six months before you start trying can make an enormous difference on everything to come. Here’s what to understand about preconception care, including what it is, why it matters, and what to do.

We’re covering everything you need to know about the effects of sugar on the body, why it’s problematic during conception and pregnancy, and why balancing blood sugar with protein can help boost fertility. Whew!

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

For couples hoping to conceive, a man’s health is just as important as a woman’s. But can (and should) men take women’s prenatal vitamins? Nope, and here’s why.

Beli's Vitality blend – a combination of six key ingredients – continues to set our men's prenatal well apart, even as prenatal vitamins for men become more mainstream. If you’re looking for a prenatal vitamin to support male fertility, Beli Vitality for Men has exactly what you need.

The more, the merrier may be the old saying, but that’s really not what you want happening in your prenatal vitamin. When it comes to this sort of specialized nutritional support, what’s not included is just as key as what is. That's why you won’t find DHA (among other ingredients) in our prenatal vitamin.

Special thanks to Carly Hartwig, holistic reproductive health advocate and fertility awareness educator through CLWC, for her top 5 tips to clean up your lifestyle when trying for a baby.

Somewhere between the “let’s have a baby!” conversation and seeing those two pink lines, you’re going to end up researching prenatal vitamins. And trust us when we say you’re going to have a ton of options to wade through. Consider this your handy guide to the best prenatal vitamins for men and women in 2023.

Cherry Aphrodisiac Mocktail, yes please! Make these delicious mocktails that everyone will want!

Beli for Women has all the current nutrient recommendations for prenatal vitamins, including choline, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, and iodine. All the right ingredients, in all the right amounts. But it does beg the question, how exactly does Beli fit everything into just three capsules?

Getting your ducks in a row at least three months before you hope to conceive can help nourish your fertility in preparation of everything to come. That’s where a high-quality prenatal vitamin for you both comes in. Our guide walks you through all the behind-the-scenes benefits during your first three months on Beli.

Dr. Taylor Wallace calls choline the “under-consumed and under-appreciated essential nutrient.” He’s right–in spite of its importance, choline is worryingly absent in so many mainstream prenatal vitamin formulas. We sat down with Dr. Wallace for a rundown on choline and why it’s so critical for pregnant and nursing moms, plus how to be sure you and your baby are getting enough.

Morning sickness – if you know, you know. It’s one of the least glamorous aspects of pregnancy, and it makes getting through your day (or, you know, getting upright to actually start your day) so much harder. Read on for four surprisingly effective tips to combat morning sickness – and know we’re sending virtual hugs and sympathy, mama!

While everyone loves shopping for a new baby – those teensy shoes! – you may feel a little mystified about how to gift all the pregnant people in your life. Good news! We asked a bunch of them what they’d love most this holiday season. So without further ado, we present our holiday gift round-up for your very favorite pregnant people. Trust us, she’ll love it.

In the early days of your pregnancy, it’s fair to want to keep your thrilling news to yourself. But what happens over the holiday season, when you’re probably spending endless hours with your loud, loving, all-up-in-your-business family? We polled our Beli community for the hands-down best way to mask a pregnancy – morning sickness symptoms and all – if you’re dreading the next few weeks with the fam, because this is one surprise that no one should spoil.

Shopping for prenatal vitamins is like shopping for anything these days — there are roughly one zillion choices out there. But unlike everyday, low-stakes buying decisions, like grande or venti, one pump or two, choosing a prenatal vitamin actually means something. Here’s why Beli should be your first choice of prenatal vitamins.

Arguably one of the best parts of having a baby is choosing a name, which often involves multiple books, endless lists, and a ton of back and forth. If you like the idea of leaning into science, a recent study shared in the Daily Mail used phonetics to find the 50 most beautiful-sounding baby names.

Any idea exactly how your prenatal vitamin is helping you, him, and baby on this wild procreation ride? Read on for a breakdown of all the benefits of prenatal vitamins for you and your baby from preconception to postpartum.

The more, the merrier may be the old saying, but that’s really not what you want happening in your prenatal vitamin. When it comes to this sort of specialized nutritional support, what’s not included is just as key as what is. That's why you won’t find DHA (among other ingredients) in our prenatal vitamin.

We’re covering everything you need to know about the effects of sugar on the body, why it’s problematic during conception and pregnancy, and why balancing blood sugar with protein can help boost fertility. Whew!