Natural support for male infertility focuses on assisting to improve sperm quantity and quality, and overall male reproductive health. Improving diet and making healthy lifestyle choices will also positively impact male reproductive health. In addition, using the correct doses of high quality nutritional and herbal supplements can help wiht male reproductive vitality.
Supplements for male infertility
Natural solutions for male infertility includes targeted nutritional supplements and antioxidants to maintain the integrity of the sperm cell membrane. These include:
- Vitamin A – this has been shown to improve testicular health, sperm production and testosterone levels.
- Vitamins C – this has been trialled exclusively for its effect on fertility with positive results. As little as 1000mg per day given to infertile men (non-smokers) improved their sperm counts by as much as 140%. Why? Vitamin C plays an important role in protecting DNA and supporting the immune system’s response to urinary and prostate infections. Vitamin C also ‘unclumps’ sperm cells.
- Vitamin E – this is a powerful antioxidant and helps protect sperm from damage.
- Zinc – an essential nutrient for male fertility and can help with male hormone balance and sperm health. A high dose of zinc may raise sperm counts in men with levels at less than or equal to 25 million per ml over a period of 50 days. Zinc also significantly increases testosterone levels.
- Selenium – a lack of selenium decreases sperm production and motility. Selenium is a very effective antioxidant and protects against environmental pollutants and stressors.
- Glutathione – this supports detoxification of heavy metals such as mercury and lead prior to conception.
- B vitamins – vitamin B6 is important for zinc absorption and vitamin B12 is involved in DNA replication, increasing sperm count and motility.
- Other nutrients valuable for male fertility include Omega 3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid (the latter two supplements being potent antioxidants to help prevent oxidative stress at time of conception).
More detailed information can be found in my book Making Babies – The Holistic IVF Diet Guide.
NB. For best results, try these recommended supplements for a period of three months. These supplements are best taken under the care and guidance of your healthcare practitioner.
Herbs to help male infertility
- Korean ginseng and Rhodiola are effective adrenal herbs to help with stress.
- Tribulus and Saw Palmetto are all traditional male reproductive herbs used to improve testicular and sperm health.
- Milk thistle, Globe Artichoke and Schizandra are liver herbs which aid in detoxification.
- Rehmania and Hemidesmus are herbs to consider if there are any sperm antibody issues.
More detailed information can be found in my book Making Babies – The Holistic IVF Diet Guide.
NB. Always consult a registered practitioner.
More natural support for male infertility
- The introduction of a regular exercise program to improve fitness and maintain a healthy weight is important
- Manage stress with what appeals to you – meditation, yoga, reading a book, playing golf, anything to take your active mind off work stressors etc.
- Avoid wearing tight underwear. This can stop the testes from being able to hang and regulate a healthy temperature.
- Avoid hot tubs and saunas – these too can affect temperature control for the testes.
- Avoid going on long bike rides – another lifestyle factor which can affect the temperature control and health of the testes.
Making Babies – The Holistic IVF Diet Guide
My book has been written with men in mind with a dedicated men’s health and fertility section providing essential information to maximise you and your partner’s chances of success – providing a combination of my professional knowledge and personal experience.
Also available is the IVF Diet Cookbook. If you want to learn how best to improve sperm health and to maximise your chances of IVF success, these resources are a must-have! For more information, visit IVF Diet Book