Male Fertility and Nutrition: Eating to Win

Attention all men who wish to start a family: Eat to support good health, and you’ll be doing your reproductive powers a great favor. That’s an especially important message now that we’ve moved past the celebratory indulgences of the holiday season. Time to get back to those good habits!

Obesity has become an epidemic in the modern world, and there are signs that it may be a considerable cause of male infertility. The extra fat can lower testosterone levels and cause oxidative stress that may affect sperm count, motility, and DNA integrity. Obesity can also lead to complications such as diabetes, which in turn damages the circulatory system and impairs testicular, penile and erectile health.

Nutritional Health = Reproductive Wellness

What you eat is just as important as how much you eat. Men seeking to boost or protect their fertility should eat a wide range of nutritious foods to get adequate amounts of lean protein, minerals, and vitamins. It is especially beneficial to eat foods that contain antioxidants, compounds known for their ability to protect cells (including sperm cells) from damage.

In addition to the standard complement of vitamins and minerals, certain additional micro nutrients may also play an important role in male fertility. You have doubtless heard of omega-3 fatty acids, those useful substances derived from fish oil, flax seeds, walnuts and other foods. The American Fertility Association notes than fertile, healthy sperm tends to contain more of these fatty acids than the sperm of interfile men, so it wouldn’t hurt to add these foods, or an omega-3 supplement, to your diet.

Helping You Make Healthier Choices

If you’re concerned about your current lifestyle’s potential effects on male fertility, contact Palm Beach Fertility Center and let’s discuss it. We can point out corrective measures and make nutritional suggestions to put you back in the running for that blessed event!