To what extent does a man’s health contribute to a couple’s infertility? And what can men do to boost sperm health?
Male factors contribute to as much as 68 to 75 percent of infertile couples, and 40 percent of those seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART). Sperm are actually more vulnerable than eggs, being smaller and fully exposed physically, whereas eggs are cocooned safely within the woman’s body and mature (rather than fully generate) only in the preconception months.
So the question must be asked: why are men not a major focus when it comes to preconception care?
How to Boost Sperm Health
Men can do a great deal to boost sperm health and fertility, below are some dietary suggestions :
Increase these foods:
- Nuts and seeds, particularly walnuts and pumpkin seeds (for their antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, which guard against oxidative damage and may improve semen quality)
- Oily fish (wild only) for essential fatty acids that support the sperm membrane from oxidative damag;
- Leafy greens daily for their folate, which is the active form of folic acid. Folate is important in sperm production due to its role in DNA synthesis and cell division
- Sea vegetables for their iodine and mineral content. A cup of warm miso soup usually contains some sea vegetables
- Coloured vegetables and fruits for vitamin C, which protects sperm DNA from oxidative damage and fragmentation, and improves all other parameters including count, morphology and motility, as well as decreasing the risk of birth defects.
- Lycopene from cooked tomatoes and tomato products as it’s a powerful antioxidant with proven benefits to prostate health, and also boasts anti-cancer effects.
- Bone broths and stocks for their minerals, which are essential for vitamins to do their work.
For more detailed information on diet, targeted supplements and lifestyle advice, grab your copy today of The Holistic IVF Diet Guide to Making Babies.