The fertility podcast recommended various supplements taken once or twice per day, such as L Carnitine (supplemented w/garlic), CoQ10, & Shilajit (for men specifically). Is there any negative consequence of intermixing the intake of L Carnitine+garlic (1000 mg & 600 mg respectively) and CoQ10 (200 mg) every other day (for my wife and I), and taking the shilajit (at 200 mg) once per day (me only) instead of twice per day? My primary objective is to limit our body's dependency on these supplements for when we ultimately have successful insemination, and reduce potential for any toxicity levels, while still benefitting from their reproductive benefits. My wife raised a reasonable counterpoint that such a regimen might confuse her body at a time she is trying to maintain homeostasis for successful insemination. Thoughts?

Short answer: The show doesn’t establish that taking L-carnitine, garlic, and CoQ10 every other day will prevent dependency or toxicity while preserving fertility benefits. The guidance it gives is daily dosing, and it emphasizes consistency; for your wife, it also cautions against taking shilajit across the whole ovulatory cycle without consulting her OB-GYN. 1 2 3

• L-carnitine and garlic: The suggested oral L-carnitine range is 1–3 g daily for 30–60 days, with at least 30 days before trying to conceive. The discussion recommends 600 mg garlic extract daily to help offset L-carnitine-related TMAO increases; it does not address whether taking these every other day provides the same benefit or lowers toxicity. 4
• CoQ10: The stated range is 100–400 mg daily, generally with a meal containing fat. A fertility specialist also describes CoQ10 as having very little risk but stresses that people are more likely to benefit from a supplement they take consistently. 5 6
• Shilajit: The episode describes about 250 mg twice daily as a studied dose, but advises starting at the lowest possible dose and increasing only as needed. It does not specifically assess 200 mg once daily versus twice daily. For women, chronic use across the cycle could be risky because FSH needs to vary by cycle phase; the recommendation is to discuss it with an OB-GYN. 7
• Practical safety: The show advises discussing any addition or change to a health regimen with a trusted healthcare professional. The excerpts don’t specifically assess your proposed schedule, dependency concerns, or the “confusing” effect on your wife’s body, so they can’t determine whether this alternating regimen is safe or appropriate for either of you. 8